g741.org

So, a new SF-97 from Government Liquidators with the correct year and serial was all that was really needed. The MVD simply followed the letter of their current title and registration law which would have also applied to a 67 Chevy C20 civilian pickup which if title erroneously in Utah as an 89 would have had exactly the same problem when trying to transfer it's title in Iowa.

My brain is mush but if I'm following you the answer would be yes. Utah does not require the same numbers in their VIN, on their title as Iowa does. The Iowa DMV (department of motor vehicle) simply followed their rules for Iowa. We had to do all the "leg-work".
You know how it is now, your guilty until proven innocent.