VIN problem on 72 Blazer

[paujones1]

I'm attempting to purchase a 72 Blazer in Northern CA. The truck has been parked next to an body repair shop for at least 10 years. I talked to the guy at the shop who said his son owned it. We met and reviewed the condition. It was all there, but had not been moved for 10 years. I asked about the title, and was handed a folder full of DMV paperwork, a few hand written bills of sale and attempts to register it in 98. From what I can tell, it is registered as non-op, but has not been registered since 93 and had 2 prior owners who each passed away. Kind of a mess, right?

I went to AAA to see if they could run a search and just tell me who owns it and what is owed to transfer it. They would not touch it. They handed me a few bills of sale and statement of fact forms. They said go to DMV and they can tell you the status and next steps. In CA, its a half day thing to go to DMV or wait a month for an appointment so I decided to look online to see if I could get more info.

I found a form online INF70 to print, send in 5 bucks and DMV will send a report. I did all that with the license plate, VIN and description.

DMV sent back a form saying there is no such vehicle on file.

My question: The VIN on the forms I have starts with CKE182S...... Were there 72 Blazers that has a CK... VIN? I thought K5 blazers were KE.... and C10 pickups were CE....

Was this originally a 2WD truck? Pretty sure it was 4WD.

Thanks in advance....

[broda1]

I was being lazy, surfing on plane ride home. ajviper is right.

[LuckyScott]

"Dmv sent back a form saying there is no such vehicle on file."

I am not an expert, but have heard sometimes if a vehicle is not registered for a long time it falls off the DMV system.

[ajviper]

http://outintheshop.com/vin_decode.html

CKE was only used in 1972. In this case the C stands for Chevrolet. KE is 4x4.

CKE182S
C = Chevrolet
K = 4x4
E = V-8
1 = 1/2 Ton
8 = Blazer
2 = 1972
S = St. Louis

[Ol Blue K20]

On something like this, I would get hold of a lien sale service and lien it. That would take care of a lot of problems.

[franken]

Without a doubt the CA DMV has all the info on how to fix the title on their we pages, just like every other state. Post #5 is also an option, possibly better.

[Blazerowner]

DMV is about 3 days wait for an appointment in my area must be pretty bad there. Seems like a hassle I would put on them to deal with if they really want to sell it unless it’s a really good deal.

[Ol Blue K20]

Look up "Pat's Lien Service". I used them when I worked at the tow service. They service most of California. Good people to work with.

[Crcrft78]

If you call the DMV they should be able to tell you everything you need to know over the phone if you have the vin and license plates #s. I've been there and done it with vehicles out of the system without wasting time standing in line at the DMV. FYI, the Concord DMV is usually pretty good as far as getting in and out of there in a timely manner.

[american revolution]

my trick...DMV closes at 5pm...if you go like 4:45 pm and get inside they close the doors at 5pm and they service everyone that is inside.

[cori 64]

Take the blazer with a bill of sale down to the dmv and have the vin verified ....and you will own it !!!...i've done this several times with no pink!

[91dogs]

Took my 72 to the Turlock DMV yesterday and here is what i learned

1: If the vehicle has fallen off the DMV system (or never registered in CA), you will have to bring it in where after much waiting someone with a flashlight will attempt to verify the VIN.

The DMV requires two VIN spots. One being the driver side post and the second being the build sticker in the glove box.
Failing to have that, you will have to take it to the CHP where they will verify it.
If its non op, call the DMV in Sac and they are actually fairly helpful

[simicrintz]

You might try AAA (if you are a member) as well. Much less waiting than the DMV and typically more helpful They are somewhat limited and cannot do all of what the DMV can so you may want to call ahead first to make sure it is in their scope.