We had a similar issue with our '46 Modernistic, but found some numbers, didn't know if they were original VIN numbers, or had been issued by some state Motor Vehicle dept. We had no paperwork from any previous owner. We wanted to license the trailer as a 1946 Modernistic, not as a home made. So the solution here in NY was; state that it was in our possession for more than one year, and make up a story that since the last digit on the numbers was a "6", then that indicated it was a 1946. Had to get it weighed, took weight slip to DMV, took a rubbing of the numbers that I had restamped onto the new tongue, and it is now registered as a 1946 Moder light trailer. Another friend has an identical trailer, no numbers, supposedly a 1947. Told him to make up a number with "47" at the end, stamp them on tongue, get it weighed, fill out papers saying it had been in his possession more than one year, take rubbing of numbers to DMV, and he now has a registration for a 1947 Moder [NY DMV abbreviates the name]. I realize that your state may have different requirements, but the issue is do you want it registered as a Tourette, or as Homemade. Your best luck is you get a nice helpful DMV clerk like I did, not a cranky old one like I have experienced previously.
