THE PORTAL HUB - Pinzgauers, Haflingers, Volvo 303s and more!

Well, I tried to register a 1982 712 today down at the county courthouse. I thought it would be an easy process since I already have another 712 that is already titled here. Wrong!
It seems that in Iowa any vehicle manufactured after 1981 requires a 17 digit VIN. The 7 digit Pinzgauer serial number was not accepted for the 1982 model even though it was fine for an earlier truck. It sounds like the truck will have to be looked over and have a VIN assigned to it.

I am now looking for the proper answers for questions that may be raised. The US required 17 digit VINs for all road vehicles beginning in 1981. Standardized VINs are currently required by the European Union for all road vehicles as well. Does anyone know when this became a requirement in Europe, or at least Austria (and a source to show someone)?

Has anyone else encountered this issue?

Thanks for any input,
Lloyd

The US has it's own definition for the 17 digit VIN, and IS NOT the same as used in Europe . The first glitch is that in the US, the 10th digit represents the manufactured year, in Europe, this is usually a "1" ( for lhd), or "2"(for rhd), some other number representing something else occasionally are used.
The Pick Cow has a16 digit VIN, again with the 10th digit representing LHDand RHD.
From what I have seen, only vehicles made for US market have the proper US VIN makeup. If the vehicle was made for their domestic ( foreign for us) market, it would be kicked out of most all US DMV as a grey market vehicle.

I have known some state DMVs ( not Cal) to fill in "0"s (zeros) for all the unused digit places.California has the option ( for supervisor) to override the computer with shorter VINs ( as can some other states)

Dave Dunn

Yes I too have come across this problem with the State of Colorado.

The Euro vin specific numeration throws the authorities into a FLAT SPIN.

I got into a verbal interchange with one officer over the fact that the EEC is not bound to accept anything the US proposes and that goes for the same way in reverse.She was under the impression that vin numeration was universal, the American way. Sorry it was a "Roman Emporor" thumbs down on that 'un I interceded

How it was resolved in the calm light of day was that the State of Colorado afixed their own VIN number on the vehicle prior to registration. Alot of to-ing and fro--ing but it was achieved. The comical thing is that I received a notice from the licencing authorities recently notifying me that the vehicle Vin number is not recognized--Yes by the folk that issed it! So go figure that one out. For me it was a no brainer since the vehicle left for Arizona hopefully NEVER to return.
Dennis
Officialdom gone mad, and we think the Arab nation is obstinate!
Words fail me!

Unfortunately, anything made for US use after 1980 was required to use the US VIN format on those vehicles. Hence, as I wrote above, all other vehicles kept the manufacturer's normal method of VIN. This makes it easy to determine what is a grey market car ( 2 what seems to be identical cars, with different type VINs). Even only the newer Unimogs 500s made for the US have the US type VIN .
As it is, it's a little easier dealing with a DMV on "short" VIN than having the computer kick the registration back as a 2001 (LHD code for Europe), and not having a year of manufacture on the dataplate( as with Mogs, 716/18 Pinzs, among others) So be glad that SDP stamped the year onto the710/12 dataplates
Right or wrong, government officials only believe what's on the computer'screen, and/ (sometimes) or, what's stamped on the dataplate

Dave Dunn

Lloyd, Just be glad you don't live any further north-east, like Wisconsin!! You think YOUR dmv is problematic....
Good luck on a speedy resolution.

A Cheesehead

Thanks for all the input.
Lloyd

I think I must be blessed. I had no issues registering the pinz in CA, I had it take care of by Scott at EI when I bought it. It was a part of his service in selling the machine. Great idea to have it done by people that know the system.
When I moved to WA the only issue was since it was not on the DOL index I had to get it weighed. The vin was no issue. I parked outside the office and it created volumes of questions and ohh's and ah's for the customers and staff in the office. Really a fun day, have not seen any other pinzes up here yet. Probably have to wait till Mogfest next year in Sheridan to see them.
The M416 trailer only has 3 numbers, no problem there either.
I am so thankful.

Cheers,
Morris

Hi Lloyd,

Prior to taking the vehicle to be verified by law enforcement, check and see if your state has any of it's own laws in regards to "grey market" vehicles. It sounds as though your state is assuming that the vehicle(s) are OEM Direct Imports, and therefore should have the U.S. Standard Vin. If there are no requirements, then it should be nothing other than having the verifier go over the documents and vin's and the locals can over-ride the system.

We have registered in 10-12 different states and have never had a "new" VIN issued, it is simply a matter of the locals (usually a supervisor) over riding their computer which has a hard time dealing with unknowns.

Here in CA, referral of a "grey market" to our CHP for inspection is pretty much the death stroke if the Pinz/mog is newer than 1974, as we have different laws that apply (CA Health and Safety Code) to "Used Direct Import" motor vehicles.

Might be worth your while to take a copy of the federal EPA and DOT 25/21 year exemptions when you meet with your verifier. At the end of the day you are 100% in the right as your truck was legally imported under EPA and DOT exemptions. As long as your state follows the federal guidelines, it's just a matter of jumping through some additional hoops.

Cheers,

Scott