Issues with title transfer RESOLVED

[Ultramega2002]

I am just posting in case anyone is having a similar issue.  I am in Michigan, and I recently traded my ‘72 Bavaria for a ‘75 2002.  The 2002 came from New York.

 

I was having zero luck having the title transferred into my name/registered.  The problem was that the employees at the Secretary of State (we don’t have the DMV in MI) searched the national database (NMVTIS) it had no record.  They had no explanation, but without a record, it couldn’t be transferred. Extremely frustrated, and with hours spent in the process, over a few weeks time, I decided to try different Secretary of State locations.  
 

Long story short, at one of the locations, the employee (a hero of mine now) knew to NOT use the VIN to search the database, but instead to use the date the title was granted in reverse.  I believe this is true only for titles in New York, but possibly other states too?  Also, maybe only true if the VIN came before the standard title system (17 digits with numbers and letters) was set in to place (1981)?  Anyway, it’s all titled now and I’m quite happy, and I figured I’d just put it out there since it’s unfortunately not common knowledge. 
 

 

[Son of Marty]

Yeah I'm pretty sure that there's no national data base for pre 17 digit Vin's I've come across DMV workers who swear all cars always had a 17 digit Vin.