Sprite Title Problem

[HealeyRick]

Posted from the Healey section:

Since this is my first post, I hope it is in the correct location for the question I am asking.

I recently purchased my Grandfathers 1960 Austin Healey Bugeye Sprite.

The issue is: The title that my Aunt gave me says 1966 Austin Healey. I am almost 100 percent certain it is a 1960. My grandfather always said it was a 60, and his old registration that was under the steering column says 60 also. The VIN number is: AN5L / 33132. Is the Heritage Certificate mention in one of the other posts official enough for a DMV to accept it as credible?

 

[AN5Sprite]

1. More info would be helpful.
2. Highly depends on the state DMV you're trying to work with.

If the title that calls it a '66 ALSO lists the VIN correctly, I think that would be very good for you in making the case that there is a simple typo that needs fixing.

Is the car a real '60, or is it a '66 with a Bugeye nose and VIN tag? That's the first question that has to be answered.

 

[smaceng]

My newly purchased Utah registration listed my TR6 as a 1973, but the VIN tag # was in the range of a 1970. I purchased a Heritage Certificate which showed that it was manufactured in 1970. I took all my information to the local DMV in CA, and it was no problem for them to change the year to 1970 when I first registered the car.
As Steve said, make sure the car is really a 1960, get a Heritage Certificate, and then plead your case to the local DMV gods.
Good Luck,
Scott in CA

 

[Gerard]

My newly purchased Utah registration listed my TR6 as a 1973, but the VIN tag # was in the range of a 1970. I purchased a Heritage Certificate which showed that it was manufactured in 1970. I took all my information to the local DMV in CA, and it was no problem for them to change the year to 1970 when I first registered the car.
As Steve said, make sure the car is really a 1960, get a Heritage Certificate, and then plead your case to the local DMV gods.
Good Luck,
Scott in CA

Scott is correct. Make sure you verify all physical evidence is correct and matches. CA DMV does accept Heritage Certificates as authentic documentation. I have used them on several occasions to verify year production when a title was absent.

 

[Pythias]

Depending upon the state, it is my understanding that it was not the year of manufacture, but the year the car was first registered that went onto the title. This may be what you are dealing with. Others have suggestions on how to rectify.

 

[Deleted member 8987]

Six years sitting at the dealer's lot is a push. But you never know.

 

[sqbsprite]

Six years sitting at the dealer's lot is a push. But you never know.

True, but if a speculator bought it and held on to it with an open registration, it's possible. 1960 was the last year for the MKI so maybe someone thought it was going to be valuable. He just needed to wait 50 years instead of 6.

 

[BillW103]

A lot of 1960 Bugeyes have 61 titles.

 

[Deleted member 8987]

Yeah, but the original pasted comment is six years different.....