Registering Used Cobra in NJ

[Cashburn]

One of the many joys of working in this industry is encountering not only the DMV of the state you live and work in but also those of all your customers. And I must admit, NJ is a standout

Situation is we connected a customer of ours looking to sell his car with a customer in NJ looking for one just like it at the price. Car originally purchased in CT and taken through the inspection and registration process to the T in the state of CT for 2008 (I specify year because the law has changed 3 times in 5 years or so).

Anywho...

As is the law in CT (and NY, and many other states) once the car is deemed road worthy by the State Inspection center (1 for the whole state so there's no confusion or trickery between centers, in fact only 2 inspectors in whole state who do the process and inspected this car together) apply a blue seal from the State with sequential VIN number CT-XXXX even though the chassis from the manufacturer is branded with a modern 17 digit VIN and also carried on the MSO.

While I know this process has led to the nightmare on the NJ end, I understand why states do this. It is because not all "kit cars" are graced with a 17 digit VIN AND more importantly it ties the serial numbers of the chassis, engine, and transmission together into 1 number sequence for theft prevention etc. (amazing how the DMV is so focused on preventing theft while most other agencies are promoting it, but I digress).

In 2008 CT law deemed the vehicle would carry the year as the year constructed so now we have a 2008 with a 6 digit VIN and not a modern 17 digit. To make things more scintillating for readers and future owners alike the CT DMV will also, with relative randomness assign a make and model of their liking. So this customer (following every procedure to the law and paying every cent of sales tax and the property tax that followed) was graced with a vehicle titled as a "2008 Shelby Cobra".

Fast-forward to 2012 and new owner buys vehicle and heads to DMV office he does mucho business with for his yacht dealership and they say no way man it's got to have a 17 digit VIN for a 2008 model year or the State of CT has to reissue title as 1965 and the 6 digit VIN es muy bueno.

Now new owner is claiming fraud on the previous owner that he changed the VIN, blah blah blah... screw me for selling the car on a Friday afternoon and having it in his driveway Saturday before his Taylor ham and cheese sandwich.

Thoughts?