Don't get me wrong, Al, the service I got was A-1 at the Ontario Provincial Police detachment (where they did a search on the two licence numbers, free), at the Licence Bureau and at the court house counter where they quashed the summons. It was all becaus the Toronto ticket writer was a wee bit sloppy writing a "U" and whoever processed the default only went by the tag number and didn't verfy the car description or that my licence plate had not been renewed for 2 or 3 years.

I still miss that Mini wagon a bit.. this is about all that's left of her.
 (The scan does not do it justice - the chrome looks almost new.)

Funny, how all DMV employees on the front lines in Ontario or Ohio or Alabama have a work policy of ` -how can l screw this guy over-

In saying that l have a good office that actually helps me out in sticky wickets situations-

BIG AL

Thanks for the explanation. Here in Ontario the registration applies whether or not the vehicle is licenced for the road. The MOT's records serve as a registry of ownership, right up to the car's destruction. I once got a parking ticket summons for a car I'd cut up and buried two years ( and two more cars) before. The plate number was ETV 664 for a green Mini Countryman that had suffered a terminal case of tinworm. The ticket was issued in Toronto (where I had never been with the car) and turned out to be for plate ETU 664 on a brown Pontiac. I had to go to the place where I'd cut up the car, root around in the parts I'd salvaged to find the plates, then go "de-register" the car, and finally show up at the court house with the proof the car did not exist.  All the day before I moved to Nova Scotia. You can' beat gov't  for keeping records.

 

Dan in the States (well most States) you get a title, a registration is what you get when you register the car and buy a tag with a yearly sticker attached. In Florida all cars have titles no matter what the age and trailers less than 2000lbs do not require a title all you get is a registration. The States that do not require titles on older vehicles (usually 10 years) > i imagine just get a Bill of Sale and a registration when they register the car which suffices for proof of ownership.

Okay, okay . Here...............Is that better ?

For us by-standing spectators, could somebody explain the difference between "registration" and "title"?

In Canada one registers a car with the province - you get one piece of paper that says what the car is including VIN, who owns it and what the licence plate number is.

If you buy a new or used car from a dealer, you get a sales agreement. In Ontario, if you sell a car privately you get a Vehicle Information Package (UVIP) kit from the Ministry and fill it out.

 

(and SXSMAN: please stop tormenting Zippy with things that aren't his beloved roll-eyes...!)

[rolleyes]

Go to the search feature and type "revin". Hours of entertainment there.

The car is in California, registered in Connecticut as a 1972. The car came into the usa through Alabama and was registered there as 1972 mini. The car is for sale and I want to purchace it, but the owner said it is actually 1996 Blue Star from Germany.

Just use those numbers and get rid of the plate you have replacing it with a correct one. 17 digit vins did not come into play until 1980 and as yours is a 72 that should not present a problem. I had a NZ Mini with a seven number vin and no letters got it registered fine, if the engine number is still on the block get rid of it. Some DMV's are requiring a second vin number so stamp a second one in the floor.

Very true, that scenario hadn't crossed my mind.

You are wise grasshopper ! I'm even more convinced you should find a title, this could be a real can of worms .

Unless you'd like to go fishing, I'll get my rod and tackle box.

You might be fortunate to not be able to get the original VIN from the number you have.

The original VIN plate might very well be attached to another car that needed a little bit of age added. [rolleyes]
If both happen to show up in the same data base, someone would have a bit of 'splainin to do.

And, what part of the great state of Ohio are you in?

Hard to believe there was never ever an issued title. Where in Ohio are you or where is the car ? I'm still thinking it would be easier to re-vin the car with a different title.

There are states that sell titles, (GA comes to mind) but Ohio DMV doesn't recognize the paper work as being good. I'm sitting on a Ohio mini title , I'm sure there are more people here that are too. I'm not looking to sell it though, might run into your situation someday and will need my title.

If car isn't too far away I/we (members of Ohio Mini Owners) could try to find a number to help you out.

Let me know, SxS

There are no other numbers on the vehicle to match. All the paperwork has the engine number only. How would I know what numbers/letters to use and would I place next to the other plate with the engine number?

Take the advice from SXSMAN and purchase a vin plate get it stamped with the numbers you have or do it yourself with a set of cheap stamps from Harbor Freight and install it on the slam panel with two pop rivets. You may want to "age it" a little so it does not look brand new when you open the hood if where you are registeringf it requires an inspection before a title is issued.

 

PS, not trying to bitch slap but this little gem of information should have been included at beginning of topic, would have been more helpful at beginning than this far along.

Just saying.....

I've never had to jump through hoops but it may take going in front of a Judge or Magistrate to petition for title. A trip to the BMV may be in order.

Or find someone that might sell their title and vin tag (if they kept it). Many minis have been scraped out/cut up.

Just like how people are getting late model minis into the states is by revin, using another title from an older car.

Legal, no. A fast solution that should fly, yes. I don't think doing a "claim title" through a repair shop would work because it would be found doing a title search that there isn't a title to issue . 

Good luck, you may need it.

There isn't a title. The car was brought into the country in Alabama (no title state) and moved to Connecticut (no title state). There is just the plate by the hood latch that has the letter B followed by nine numbers. It says Engine no. This is the number on both registrations; Conn. being the newer and current registration.

I would bet that whatever number it has been previously registered with will be fine with Ohio. I sure wouldn't walk into the DMV and tell them that there might be a problem with the VIN. Might as well just punch yourself in the face.

I do out of state inspections in Columbus and the engine tag doesn't do anything for the inspection, it's the VIN tag.

If it doesn't have one, you'd better make one. The tag should match the VIN # on the title. Last is an odometer reading. That's the two things looked at. 

The host sells them or other vendors do. I wouldn't worry about "stamping" the tag, most inspectors won't catch the difference from embossing (struck from the back of the tag w/reverse numbers/letters). From factory they're embossed. Any questions I can answer I will, also I can be reached at [email protected]