VIN tag question

[kburkett]

We are looking at a 1962 Impala SS conv with a missing VIN tag. It is titled in Michigan currently. I know I could transfer with no problems. I am worried about when I want to sell in the future. Any thoughts? I am going to check with the state tomorrow.

[wiiildcat]

I know my nothing 68 camaro convertible had no tag. Restoration shop threw it out when the cut the dash out. Called Texas state police. they came out inspected the car and re-assigned new vin, was same vin number as on title, got a door sticker from them with the vin on it.

[ss427copo]

<span style="font-weight: bold">Walk away. Remember I told you this.</span>

[Bill Pritchard]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ss427copo</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><span style="font-weight: bold">Walk away. </span> </div></div>

What he said <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/headbang.gif

[BARRY]

don't walk///// RUN

[Fast67VelleN2O]

If t can be had for way under value and you are just looking to enjoy it, go for it. The best cars sometimes end up being the cheapest thrills.

[njsteve]

Run away. Because after you put all the time and money into it, the guy it was stolen from, half a century ago will resurface and get it back. You will then be out the car and all your money.

[al8apex]

ditto

this happened to my neighbor (he bought it from a dealer in CA, it had been registered for over 20 years by the same owner in CA - CA title, etc ...) the AZ DMV found the stolen car report, he lost the car immediately, even took his wife's purse with it ... they had to wait HOURS before they could get the purse back ...

http://www.azcentral.com/community/scottsdale/articles/2009/12/11/20091211corvette1211.html

Fortunately, he had insured it the moment he bought it so he was not out the $65k ...

[bashton]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: njsteve</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Run away. Because after you put all the time and money into it, the guy it was stolen from, half a century ago will resurface and get it back. You will then be out the car and all your money. </div></div>

Agreed...and btw, Mr. NJSteve is an attorney...(and Mopar owner) so you can't go wrong with his advice.

Bashton
MCACN Managing Member

[njsteve]

Remember the Directly Proportional Rule: <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/scholar.gif

The likelihood of the original owner showing up with a legitimate legal claim to the car, is directly proportional to how much money you have sunk into the car. If you put nothing into it, they will never bother you. If you spend $100K restoring it, they will immediately pop up right as you pull it out of the driveway the moment it's finished.

[DW31S]

I have never heard of a good story when it comes to a state issued VIN. I go to dealer auctions four days a week making a living as a Wholesale Mgr. for a dealer with several franchises and several u/c lots. Whenever a car with a state issued VIN hits the block, we all run. There is a never-ending (more often than not) problem with the car when it comes to titling, registration, etc. Also, when a car like we're discussing comes in as a trade-in, we almost avoid trading it because then we are burdened with getting rid of it. Some cars with re-issued VINs aren't problems, but as percentages go, I stay away and suggest you do the same.

[Craig_Maiorana]

yes and everyone knows .... people from jersey always shoot it to you straight from the hip <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif .... id look for another car .. vin problems are not what you want or need

[x Baldwin Motion]

DANGER!! I recently drove down to Maryland to pick up a &quot;barn find&quot; elCamino, off the road for twenty years, no vin in door jamb, firewall smoothed (early 80's custom paint) and trim tag gone. Western state issued vin sticker, that was the only reason I left it where it was. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/thumbsdown.gif

keep moving <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/scholar.gif

[BARNFOUND YENKO]

As long as you know the car is not stolen no biggie. I've been there and done it on those year model cars. First of all the VIN plate inside the door is spot welded on. I've seen those literally just fall off after many years and get lost. There is a guy that you send your VIN number to and as stated above as long as no hanky panky is taking place he will stamp you a new plate and send it to you. Do you know the previous VIN?

[kburkett]

The car is titled and was checked this week by sheriff. Inspector was a friend of mine. It is a complete car for my wife to drive. Plan on installing some repo trim. I am concerned most about selling it in the future.

[BARNFOUND YENKO]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: kburkett</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The car is titled and was checked this week by sheriff. Inspector was a friend of mine. It is a complete car for my wife to drive. Plan on installing some repo trim. I am concerned most about selling it in the future. </div></div>

You should be fine then. Just do a google search and this guy will make you a new VIN tag that is a perfect match, J&amp;B Weld in on right back in the original spot and your good to go.

[Lynn]

Where is the hidden partial vin on a 62?

MOST (not all) of the missing vin plates ended up on another car. That means if you just have this guy &quot;make you a new VIN tag that is a perfect match&quot; there will be TWO cars with the same vin out there. BTW, ask njsteve if that is legal.

The number on the title means NOTHING until verified by the partial. That is the number you need to investigate. If the partial has been tampered with, the car definitely has a shady past.

Maybe I missed it, but is the trim tag still there? With that and the partial (if it is still there) you can at least verify whether that particular car has been reported stolen. Even if not ACTIVE on the list, it could have been reported stolen many years ago.

Just too many possible bad endings.

[Verne_Frantz]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lynn</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Where is the hidden partial vin on a 62? </div></div>

Two places on top of the LH frame rail. Just ahead of the trans crossmember and midway along the straight section next to the trunk well.

Verne <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif

[Lynn]

I KNEW you would know.

[njsteve]

It is not legal to make a new VIN tag. Do you have the link of the person making them? I'd love to see that website!

First, find the confidential VIN on the framerail/body and determine if it matches what the original alleged VIN is. Then ask your inspector friend to run the actual car's VIN through a 50-state search. I will bet you it appears somewhere else as a second car.

[twertsy]

Quick google shows these VIN stamping services:

http://www.classic-plates.com/

http://www.carlisleautomation.com/Services.html

[njsteve]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: twertsy</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Quick google shows these VIN stamping services:

http://www.classic-plates.com/

http://www.carlisleautomation.com/Services.html

</div></div>

The first one is in England which may have different laws on makng the plates. There are restrictions on importing them here.

The second site looks very generic and doesnt provide much in the way of details on remakng factory VIN tags. They may be referring to making new ones for machinery and utility trailers.

This one has a nice notice at the bottom to would be auto thiefs.

http://www.machineplatesonline.com/vin-plates-and-hull-plates/

[olredalert]

----A long time ago the guys in Chicago that do the trim tags had their wrists slapped by the feds over VIN tags. Im pretty sure they wont even talk to anyone about doing one nowdays.....Bill S

[Lynn]

Wasn't there a guy in Lubbock making fake vin plates?

[quik9r]

Bill Clement

[al8apex]

^ &quot;interesting&quot; background / history on that one ...