Need a sample Humvee VIN number.

[R3Fab]

A guy I know bought an old Lotus.
When he went to get title the CA DMV said "There is a military Humvee with a same VIN# registered in Kentucky since 2011".
The Kentucky DMV had sheriff involved and can't located the Humvee anywhere.
I am pretty sure a LOTUS VIN# is much shorter than a Hummer's.
But to be certain I need a sample Humvee VIN, fictional is fine, just need the correct number of letters and digits.
TIA.

 

[Mogman]

Look at the serial number listing that is a sticky on this forum, none have letters and they range up over 600.000 most have 6 digits
They have serial numbers not vin numbers.

 

[SmartDrug]

HMMWVs don’t have traditional VINs like the Lotus.

It could have had one assigned by the state, but we wouldn’t know anything about that number (only certain states do this).


The closest thing we have is a 6 digit serial number- 199,516 for example. No letters. Most DMV systems have a hard time with this situation.

 

[Mogman]

Sounds like a bunch of hokum to me.
Sounds like an internet story, we all know everything you read on the "net" is true.

 

[porkysplace]

Since they didn't really sell them at auction until 2014 or so , it would seem like it is probably one
from the 2 batches the Marine corps released earlier if it's been registered since 2011.

 

[osteo16]

Early 70/s Lotus may have had a 6 digit Vin Number... That could be an issue...

Is it Lotuses or Lotie

 

[R3Fab]

Since they didn't really sell them at auction until 2014 or so , it would seem like it is probably one
from the 2 batches the Marine corps released earlier if it's been registered since 2011.

Ah, SHORT numbers are easily duplicated when they are from different countries!
Anyone but CA DMV would see that and sort it out.
I wonder if pointing out the difference between VIN and SN to CA DMV would make any difference?

LOTI.

Thanks for the replies.

 

[Coug]

Might be some extra early HMMWVs out there with 4 digit serial numbers or less, a bunch of 5 digit, but the majority are all 6 digit.

 

[R3Fab]

Might be some extra early HMMWVs out there with 4 digit serial numbers or less, a bunch of 5 digit, but the majority are all 6 digit.

I passed the intel on to the Lotus owner.

 

[Retiredwarhorses]

I passed the intel on to the Lotus owner.

old vin’s especially short vins are commonly duplicated, dmv is just stupid…as usual.
CHP can assign a new VIN. What documents did you provide DMV? Also….Calif will not register for road use.

 

[springer1981]

Californistan is completely different than the US. Good luck.

 

[BLK HMMWV]

I read OP,s post as his friend trying to get a lotus registered not a HMMWV.

 

[Crapgame]

Even if the other vehicle were a Hummer H1, the last six digits would be a different serial number. If one had to submit a 17 digit VIN code to suit their state DMV this is the breakdown of each number/letter placement:


Before they went to the 17 digit system in 1981 it was entirely possible for multiple make vehicles to have the same VIN, but how many pre-81 automobiles are even still on the road in 2023?

 

[R3Fab]

I now have the Lotus VIN#, 501758
If anyone know who has the Humvee with matching SN# contact information would be greatly appreciated.
The Lotus predates the Humvee by decades so CA DMV are being obstinate.

 

[SmartDrug]

I now have the Lotus VIN#, 501758
If anyone know who has the Humvee with matching SN# contact information would be greatly appreciated.
The Lotus predates the Humvee by decades so CA DMV are being obstinate.

I'm no expert, but someone else will likely chime in as well - I'd guess that serial goes back to a M1097R1.

 

[Mogman]

I now have the Lotus VIN#, 501758
If anyone know who has the Humvee with matching SN# contact information would be greatly appreciated.
The Lotus predates the Humvee by decades so CA DMV are being obstinate.

Yes that would likely be an R1, I am not surprised that a local DMV person in CA would be so stupid not to realize that a non standard "VIN" would likely be duplicated on a different make vehicle but I am very surprised at how many stupid people must have been involved to escalate this to the point that KY would actually send an officer to investigate, especially when DMV is a bureaucracy not a law enforcement org.
So now we have three agencies in two states full of morons.

 

[Mullaney]

Yes that would likely be an R1, I am not surprised that a local DMV person in CA would be so stupid not to realize that a non standard "VIN" would likely be duplicated on a different make vehicle but I am very surprised at how many stupid people must have been involved to escalate this to the point that KY would actually send an officer to investigate, especially when DMV is a bureaucracy not a law enforcement org.
So now we have three agencies in two states full of morons.

.
And... The absolute worst part of it all is THEY DON'T CARE.
Customers Service - Hah!
Quality of the Service they perform - Nope, Don't Care!
Government Job - Not getting paid nearly enough - Hah!

Somehow or another, we have managed to miss out on helping them remember that they work for us.

 

[HUNvee]

If that reassures you, it works the same way on the other side of the world.
Or it doesn't work.

 

[Coug]

 

[springer1981]

Yes that would likely be an R1, I am not surprised that a local DMV person in CA would be so stupid not to realize that a non standard "VIN" would likely be duplicated on a different make vehicle but I am very surprised at how many stupid people must have been involved to escalate this to the point that KY would actually send an officer to investigate, especially when DMV is a bureaucracy not a law enforcement org.
So now we have three agencies in two states full of morons.

I think your last sentence is wrong. It should read "So now we have countless agencies in 50 states full of morons". Carry on.