Does the VIN number match what the car is? If so, I'd run the VIN number through one of the VIN verification services to see if it's been reported stolen. If not, and you are interested in the car and he seems "motivated" to sell, I'd lowball him with a ridiculous offer and see what happens. Perhaps his story is legit, all of us have seen people do stupid things over the years (I'm no exception). That is one problem with the pre-'68 cars, without the VIN number there is no way I know of to identify what the VIN is for a vehicle.