This details the procedure for getting it done in the State of Iowa.
1. Find a serial number on the thing. Anything will do: Frame, Body, Engine, Tranny. You name it, if its a serial it will work. Iowa did not register/title most Jeeps from the 40's and early 50's (according to the DoT).
I used a body serial: http://www.kulish.com/gallery/46willys/Picture_001
2. You'll need to have your bill of sale. I bought mine off the internet, and didn't get a BoS when I picked it up (3 states away). But the guy was kind enough to create one, sign it, and snail mail it to me. All it needs to have is buyer/seller, year/make/model (mine ended up being registered with the wrong info, no impact though), and purchase price (they gotta get their taxes).
3. Take a trip down to your local DoT office with cash in hand, you'll need to get a surety bond against it being stolen. Mine was $450 ($150 more than the Jeep cost me I might add) for 3 years, at which time you will get the money back IF its not found to be stolen.
4. An inspector calls, sets up an appointment to come inspect the vehicle. He/She arrives, looks at your Jeep, gives you a "what in the $&%" look, checks off their inspection sheet and hands you a copy. In my case, because it was up on blocks, mine immediately went into storage status, plates held by the state.
Thats pretty much it. Only problem with this system is that I have $450 worth of project funds tied up until the bond expires.
If you have any questions or comments, let me know. My wife works at a local Jeep dealership and we can get registration/title questions answered pronto!
CPL
Chris K.
PS. Hello all, new to the M site
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