TheSamba.com :: View topic - Don't be stupid when buying a dune buggy, even a Meyers Manx

Tue Oct 08, 2013 1:14 pm

I have run into so many Dune Buggies, including Meyers Manx's, with VIN number problems. People most times have a title, but the VIN number on the pan is either gone or it don't match. As a potential buyer, this is the first question you should ask. If it doesn't and you buy it, and live in a different state, it is a long and costly process to get a title. (In one instance it cost him over $1000, three months and took the Buggy three times to the D.M.V.) If you keep it in the same State, you will never be able to trade it in at a car dealer (they check VIN numbers) and if in an accident, the insurer will not pay for damages. It is not the auto they insured.
Always check the VIN numbers to make sure they match !

Tue Oct 08, 2013 1:21 pm

Ah...well....thanks Larry.

Very informative first post there.

Tue Oct 08, 2013 1:36 pm

The title and VIN should pretty much be irrelevant. Buggy's should not be registered as a VW Beetle anyway unless your state law allows it. They should be registered as a custom, homemade or speciality construction vehicle just like a kit car.

The only need for the VIN would be to list in the paperwork as a donor vehicle.

That reminds me, I need to fill that paperworks out. :shock:

Tue Oct 08, 2013 1:47 pm

I live in Florida. You can title them as a Beetle. If your in a state that doesn't, that's ok, but, I bet they still want to see the VIN numbers match. So they can issue a custom vehicle title.

Tue Oct 08, 2013 2:17 pm

Welcome!

bnc

Tue Oct 08, 2013 2:56 pm

Wow. A lotta caps there Larry. I'm guessing you or someone you know got boned on a deal by not checking a VIN. That advice would apply to any vehicle transaction.

Welcome to the forum.

Tue Oct 08, 2013 4:06 pm

Wow. A lotta caps there Larry. I'm guessing you or someone you know got boned on a deal by not checking a VIN. That advice would apply to any vehicle transaction.
Yes, Someone I bought a Buggy from in N.C. He kept me informed of the entire process and he also sent copies of the paper work. WOW, What he went through, and it was a clean title and vin also. Just not a match.

Tue Oct 08, 2013 4:23 pm

Car Buying 101 always check the vin on car with vin on title ..

No Match , No Buy Period !!!

if you get burned by this , there is only yourself to blame ...

Tue Oct 08, 2013 4:34 pm

if you get burned by this , there is only yourself to blame ...

You are so right, but you would not believe how many people don't check. I know it from being in the automotive business for over 40 years.

Tue Oct 08, 2013 5:17 pm

Calm down.... You are new here and to this....Most people have been here for years and fully understand all the ins and outs, state by state on how to get a valid registration on a buggy...... Mine happens to be a SPCN (California "SPecial CoNstruction") with a year of 1970 and uses original VIN on chassis..... IF you have all the required documents for buggy some state will issue a VIN number specific to state you are in and give appropriate body style classification.... Which should be good for "title" transfer to any other state...

All you have to remember is drones behind DMV counter are clueless and if you give them false information, you are just screwing yourself and also committing a felony in many states....

Just remember any information given from some one OUTSIDE your state may be false or misleading, only people with experience WITH IN you state will have valid clues on how to attempt to get buggy registered with proper title in your state...

Dale

Tue Oct 08, 2013 5:44 pm

every state is different but I've always had good luck with the DMV in Florida. They're much easier than the Nazis in the North East, or imagine what they go through in Europe!

A few years ago I had a 1930 Ford Model A that I bought out of state. The serial number is only about 8 characters and it's on the frame buried under the body where it can't be seen. The previous owner had a brass plate engraved with the serial number and riveted it to the frame near the engine.

I drove it without plates to the DMV for inspection. They sent an 18 year old girl out to check the VIN and she stipped in her tracks and looked at it in shock. " What is it? A dune buggy?" she said. I tried to explain that cars looked different in the early days of the automobile but her eyes glazed over. She saw the numbers on the plate matched the title and I left with license plates.

Tue Oct 08, 2013 5:55 pm

Seems like a no brainer

Tue Oct 08, 2013 6:37 pm

Dale M. wrote: Calm down.... You are new here and to this....Most people have been here for years and fully understand all the ins and outs, state by state on how to get a valid registration on a buggy...... Mine happens to be a SPCN (California "SPecial CoNstruction") with a year of 1970 and uses original VIN on chassis..... IF you have all the required documents for buggy some state will issue a VIN number specific to state you are in and give appropriate body style classification.... Which should be good for "title" transfer to any other state...

All you have to remember is drones behind DMV counter are clueless and if you give them false information, you are just screwing yourself and also committing a felony in many states....

Just remember any information given from some one OUTSIDE your state may be false or misleading, only people with experience WITH IN you state will have valid clues on how to attempt to get buggy registered with proper title in your state...

Dale
Dale, you are right. Every state is different how they title different vehicles. Some states don't even issue a title for vehicles over 20 or 25 years old. Just a registration. I have found in my experience that when you move to another state, that a lot of states will make you bring the vehicle to them so they can match the title or registration vin to the vehicle vin. In order to get that states title. " THAT BEING SAID" I only want to let people know of my experience with sellers of Dune Buggies on E-bay and Samba that never went through this DMV process or never checked to see if their vin matches. So you buy this vehicle, and then, when your DMV in another state checks it, your left holding the bag. A vehicle you cannot return or get your money back. Not even sell to someone else. Unless they just want it for parts.
I just want to let everyone know to CHECK THAT VIN

Tue Oct 08, 2013 6:39 pm

I recently turned down a high end Hot VW's feature car a guy wanted to trade me for one of my Things. The title did not match the pan. So sad because it was beautiful.

If I purchase a VW that does not have a title that is recoverable or does not have a matching number title, it is only for parts and gets cut up.

Tue Oct 08, 2013 6:56 pm

There are perfectly legal ways to get a title in this instance as long as the original seller is willing to provide you with a proper Bill of Sale with the correct VIN.

Tue Oct 08, 2013 7:02 pm

jspbtown wrote: There are perfectly legal ways to get a title in this instance as long as the original seller is willing to provide you with a proper Bill of Sale with the correct VIN.

Yes, there are legal ways. If the seller writes it. But, how much time and money will it cost in your state?

Tue Oct 08, 2013 7:07 pm

Also, you should hope it was never reported stolen or has a lien against it.

Tue Oct 08, 2013 7:22 pm

It would cost a few hundred dollars to get a valid title in my state. The title fee itself is $75. The other money is for the other stuff you need to do.

The total time is maybe 30 days. I think the state says 10 days to issue the title. So 20 days to do the other paperwork.

I have done this twice on vehicles sold to me with a Bill of Sale only. In fact on my Manx my buyer from Canada didn't even want the valid title I had for the buggy. He used another method that was his choice to do as the new owner.

Tue Oct 08, 2013 7:58 pm

kitcarguy wrote: Seems like a no brainer

What... the title process, or the DMV clerk? :lol:

bnc

Tue Oct 08, 2013 8:03 pm

NC & many other states have a pretty straight forward Title by Bond process.

bnc