Opinions requested on 230SL VIN info

[sstcobra]

Hi, I am new to this site but have owned a '64 230SL many years ago.  I have been looking to get another for a number of years and have found one I really like in NJ - a 1966 one owner car (until a year ago) that seems very nice.  Have even agreed on a price with current owner/seller.  Here is the issue:  The title issued to the second owner just last year has VIN: MB 1687866.  I know  the VIN tag on the vehicle reads  113.042-12-016878.  Has anyone had experience with this type of VIN on a title before?  To me it seems more like the chassis number on the title.  Opinions please???  Better to steer away from??? Thanks

[enochbell]

sstcobra,

Yes, I had this same issue with the 230sl I just sold.  The fix was time consuming but fairly straightforward, at least here in Georgia.  The seller just needs to get a form from DMV and take the car to a police station.  Then have a police officer fill in and attest to the correct VIN.  Seller submits the form to DMV and they reissue a corrected title.  Total time for me was 2 weeks.

Best,
g

[mbz.280sl]

I also had this same experience with my 280SL.
My VIN on the title did not have a complete set of digits.
I took the car to my local police station with the title and form from the RMV.
The policeman verified the correct VIN on the car and signed the form.
I took the form back to the RMV and got a corrected title.
It was very easy.

[66andBlue]

Not an uncommon problem. If the ownership is legitimate then you have nothing to worry about, DMV and police will take care of it.
Why not ask the owner/seller to do this before you hand over the funds?

[badali]

I think I saw this same car on ebay a short time ago.  The owner claimed original paint but there was over spray on the gas tank and underside.  Not that it is bad to have a repaint as most do but I hope you inspected the car or had an inspection done for you... especially at the price he was asking...

[Jordan]

I agree with Alfred that you should have the current owner change the Title to match the VIN.  This way if the actual VIN raises any flags when getting the Title corrected, it will still belong to the previous owner and you won't have to deal with it.