Lost title and can't find VIN, 55 Cameo
 

Hi- been away a long time, here's the story. 14 years ago I bought a 1955 Cameo pickup project from a young guy in Citrus Grove, CA who was headed off for a Navy stint, would have been around early June, 2010. He was also getting married very soon, like in the following weeks. Sound familiar to anyone? No? Okay then my problem is this. I bought a vacation home near Redding CA about the same time and parked the truck there for the next 14 years. Skip ahead to present day, I cannot find the title or bill of sale anywhere. I went to start the process of obtaining a new title but need the VIN. No VIN tag on the door pillar, looked on the top of the frame rail by the steering box and can't see one, but I'm in a wheelchair and can't really see over the fender. I let the air out of the front tires but still can't see much. I'm not sure what I'm looking for. Is the frame VIN a stamping directly on the frame? Or a rivetted tag? Could it be on the side of the frame? I held my phone as close as I could and took pics but they don't tell much. There seems to be a few layers of black paint on the frame, if its stamped directly on it then maybe I could sand some off and see it, or use some paint stripper. The house is sold and I want to take my truck back to Canada, but no way it can cross the border with no title, any help would be hugely appreciated. Thanks!

Re: Lost title and can't find VIN, 55 Cameo
 

Whose name is the title in?

Re: Lost title and can't find VIN, 55 Cameo
 

the vin is atamped into the frame on the ones I have seen.

Re: Lost title and can't find VIN, 55 Cameo
 

stamped.
try this thread
https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=634676

Re: Lost title and can't find VIN, 55 Cameo
 

here is another htread that has info on the vin location.
my 2 cabs were Canadian so maybe different but the vin location on the 57 GMC and 58 Chev were in the same spot as ogre's

Re: Lost title and can't find VIN, 55 Cameo
 

The title I guess would have been in the previous owners name, but I don't remember it. I guess if I had the name and could contact him then that would be a start, but I don't, and would still need the VIN eventually anyways. Here's a pic I took of the frame rail, but from a sitting position I cant reach to wipe it off and really look.

Re: Lost title and can't find VIN, 55 Cameo
 

Here is where mine is located (also a 55 Cameo). It is on the driver's side, a little behind the alternator (shown at the upper left) and forward of the steering box (out of the frame to the right).

Interestingly, mine came from Elk Grove, very near Walnut Grove. Supposedly purchased new from the local dealer.

https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...1&d=1723130887

Re: Lost title and can't find VIN, 55 Cameo
 

Door pillar is clean, here's a pic of it. Further down is a plate that's been painted over, but I believe its just the GVW info. No stamping is visible.

Re: Lost title and can't find VIN, 55 Cameo
 

There is a HAMB thread about the same exact thing https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...ion-s.1321429/

Pretty good photos of where the serial number aka Vin should be.

I'd say the plan right now should be enlisting a young agile helper to do the crawling/climbing around on it. Have them get photos of it and go from there.

Way too many people too the tags off AD and TF and even up to 72 GM trucks when doing paint and body work in the name of not getting paint on the tag and then lost the tag or now Vin inspectors won't pass the vehicle during inspection because it obvious that the tag has been removed and replaced.

Re: Lost title and can't find VIN, 55 Cameo
 

The last pic of the drivers upper door pillar. look closely you can see either 2 spot welds or rivets.

My 57 has the VIN tag right there, mine is spot welded in place. The paint build up has covered your tag I believe.

I could be wrong so get more confirmation before sanding away the paint.;)

Re: Lost title and can't find VIN, 55 Cameo
 

This tag on the door post should be this one with the weight.

Re: Lost title and can't find VIN, 55 Cameo
 

So far UncleBrad shows me what I'm looking for the best, but it gives no context. It appears to be right next to where a crossbrace or something is welded to the frame, I'm looking in the area that I think he describes but see nothing welded to my frame, all the way from the rad back to the cab. Here's a pic of my engine bay, drivers side, can someone circle that spot? I'm getting so frustrated I'm ready to send this whole thing to the crusher for scrap value.

Re: Lost title and can't find VIN, 55 Cameo
 

Re: Lost title and can't find VIN, 55 Cameo
 

This was one of the items on the HAMB link I posted that should show the spot where the number should be.

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...ion-s.1321429/

Top photo in post 4.

Re: Lost title and can't find VIN, 55 Cameo
 

Hmm, inner fenders etc are still on mine, from the HAMB pic it looks like it could be tucked under the lower edge of the inner fender. This is all complicated by the fact I'm working from a wheelchair.

Re: Lost title and can't find VIN, 55 Cameo
 

Hmm, tried sanding some of the dirt and old paint off, not seeing anything. Nearly impossible for me to reach, even harder to see. I checked and I can get 150 bucks scrap for the whole thing. I'm at a loss. No title, no VIN, no info on it, 150 bucks is starting to look good. Is it possible to get a new VIN assigned?

Re: Lost title and can't find VIN, 55 Cameo
 

I don't know why site insists on turning my pics upside down, dont know how to correct.

Re: Lost title and can't find VIN, 55 Cameo
 

My apologies. I don't have the stock engine in there so I can understand the confusion.

Here is the same picture with the measurement between the front crossmember and that welded engine mount bracket. (5 1/2 inches)

https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...1&d=1723161219

Re: Lost title and can't find VIN, 55 Cameo
 

it seems like you needto find an able bodied person to scrape the frame in the area suggested to look for a vin.
don't sell it for scrap, that would be a big loss for you financially. if the body parts are there somebody would die for the box sides alone.
chck with your local dmv, explain the issues, ask if there is an assigned vin program for vintage vehicles if you can't find the vin on the frame.
surely you know somebody who could crawl in there and scrape that frame for you. stop by the local parts store, ask the parts guys and hang around a bit. maybe somebody would volunteer to drop by. contact the local tri five club. SOMEBODY will come and help you I'm sure

Re: Lost title and can't find VIN, 55 Cameo
 

if you se that area of the frame near the front header tube, thats the spot to look. ahead of that bracket attached to the frame.

Re: Lost title and can't find VIN, 55 Cameo
 

a sharp wood chisel dragged across there, a wire brush, a putty knife, sandpaper, something to get the dirt off the frame. maybe then you can see the vin. if it is stamped there, and the area is clean, wire brush it then rub a crayon or ti marker across the area. wait for it to dry, then scrape the area. the marker stays in the low spots of the stamp and sometimes shows up better that way.

Re: Lost title and can't find VIN, 55 Cameo
 

i would get something to lift the paint up w a chemical mix

like painting it on , and it remove s the paint off without destorying anything with being a bit abrasive

Re: Lost title and can't find VIN, 55 Cameo
 

It looks like there is a number there.

Be very careful about cleaning it or when someone else cleans it as those numbers are easy to erase if it is done wrong. It shouldn't take much more than a good stiff old tooth brush or one of those brass bristle brushes that come in the pack at HF or other places.

Re: Lost title and can't find VIN, 55 Cameo
 

sure does

maybe paint thinner and a toothbrush

or a wire brush

Re: Lost title and can't find VIN, 55 Cameo
 

Yes, it is. You would need to contact the DMV and speak to someone there who knows what they are doing.

Re: Lost title and can't find VIN, 55 Cameo
 

You would have to go through the process in California to get an assigned vin. That is probably the best way with the tag on the door post missing anyhow. That with copies of the paperwork From the California DMV on the assigned vin in your 3 ring binder on the truck = papers in page savers to be easily available should get you across the border. You can get non opt on the paperwork from Cali and that doesn't mean anything in anyplace else. it's still a clear title in your name.

At this point I am going to suggest contacting a vintage car title processing outfit (One of the legitimate ones listed here or one closer to where the truck is) and ask how to proceed correctly. https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...#post-15317830


If you haven't done so already and didn't totally clean the truck out when you bought it I would be going through every nook and cranny in the cab looking for any item with the vin on it. Old registration slip, old insurance card are two. Door post tag tossed in the glove box or in a box that came with the truck or under the seat. Have someone get in under and behind the seat and look for anything with that vin on it. Even the old license plate might be an aid in the right hands for research.


If the original engine block is in the truck it still may have been titled as the engine serial number being the vin number.

Re: Lost title and can't find VIN, 55 Cameo
 

there are ways to raise the stampings using the techniques that a police forensic department would use.
https://www.practicalmachinist.com/f...number.203569/

Re: Lost title and can't find VIN, 55 Cameo
 

Currently for him that might be best left to the pros. He most likely isn't able to get in there and do any cleaning himself at this time and outside of mild cleaning and possibly using paint remover to clean the top of the rail I wouldn't get carried away with various methods. If the truck is in the Redding area do we have any other member Close enough to Redding who can help for a couple of hours. Being in the wheel chair he physically can't do some of the simple things that the rest of us take for granted and that might include looking in the nooks and crannies of the cab for anything with that vin on it. He may also not have anyone available who can help do the search.

Also Michelle at Auburn Auto registration service may know someone she trusts who is a lot closer to the truck that can do the inspection.

Re: Lost title and can't find VIN, 55 Cameo
 

Agreed.

Re: Lost title and can't find VIN, 55 Cameo
 

Yup, I actually just posted that stuff so the OP would have a few ideas to work with. Being in a wheelchair really puts a damper on doing stuff that's easy for most. A pro from a police dept could likely help if one could be found that is interested in that sort of thing.
Getting someone to clean and check the area first would really help. The commute is a killer for me.

Re: Lost title and can't find VIN, 55 Cameo
 

The trouble with having an officer or dmv check this one is that without the door post tag they might redflag it. That may be the deal killer on the whole deal. The private agent can state that the vin is damaged, not readable and process it for an assigned vin number.

We had a guy in Cali with a truck that had had the door post tag removed for paint and was pop riveted back in place that didn't pass Cali inspection and then was red flagged in the system on a similar inspection. That is one reason that I have harped on do not remove the door post tags on AD and TF trucks to keep them clean when you paint the truck and do not have NEW door post tags stamped and replace the old scruffy looking ones on AD trucks as it will burn your buns in the long run.

Re: Lost title and can't find VIN, 55 Cameo
 

A non operable title 'may' translate to a dismantle only title on import to Canada. Something to check on.

Don't crush it! Put an ad in marketplace for $500 and you will have people lining up. At least it will get reused / parted / dreamed over

Re: Lost title and can't find VIN, 55 Cameo
 

Non op in Cali is so you don't have to pay back registrations for the years that you didn't tag it. Cali guys get burned on that all the time including when they buy a car that hasn't been tagged for several years but doesn't have non opt.

Agreed that he may better off to register it and have plates on it with current tabs. Another expense but nice up to date tabs might mean something at the border.

Worst case, strip the parts off and haul everything but the bare empty cab to Canada as parts with a bill of sale . That might not be doable though.

Personally I would be going through every drawer, box and file cabinet that I might have stuck the paperwork in piece by piece. When My aunt gave me my 71 GMC they had filed for a lost title several years before when they couldn't find the title and when they were cleaning out the house to move to Mississippi and going through drawers piece by piece they found the original title with my uncle's name on it that I now have even though now it is only a nostalgia piece for me as it tells when my uncle got the truck.

Re: Lost title and can't find VIN, 55 Cameo
 

Found it! I had to first propane torch then sand the frame paint off but there it is!

Re: Lost title and can't find VIN, 55 Cameo
 

there should be another 3 or 4 digits?

Re: Lost title and can't find VIN, 55 Cameo
 

sweet baby jelly bean s

awesome news

seems like that are additional letter s/ number s behind the 0 s

either way , glad you are having positive result s in obtaining a title

Re: Lost title and can't find VIN, 55 Cameo
 

that really shows well, super glad you found it. hopefully you didn't strain yourself in doing so and possibly had some help.
curious, and don't feel compelled to answer, but what caused the wheelchair use, how mobile are you, can you drive the cameo once it is driveable?

Re: Lost title and can't find VIN, 55 Cameo
 

carefull with that torch and have a hose or extinguisher ready. you can't outwheel a fire. doing the torch stuff outside is obviously the right place, just in case. as a structural firefighter in Calgary I can say I have been to a lot of house fires caused by car fires in the attached garage or carport.
be carefull, have help if you can. keep a hose and a phone handy
post up more pics and info as you get it. I also think there are more digits waiting for your time and effort. I really hope you get a title without too much issue or expense.

Re: Lost title and can't find VIN, 55 Cameo
 

how long till you do the move back to Canada?

Re: Lost title and can't find VIN, 55 Cameo
 

Definitely more numbers behind those, or we have a problem...
;-)