New VIN tag law

[William]

Hats off to Barrett-Jackson.

https://www.barrett-jackson.com/Media/Home/Reader/vin-victory-driven-by-barrett-jackson-hb-2480-goes-into-effect-july-22-2022/

[70 copo]

I am sure this will simplify any future litigation claims for the auction house where fraud is claimed by the buyer and the seller claims that any issues in dispute are an artifact of a proper restoration.

[William]

Barrett-Jackson, Mecum, GAA have posted VIN tag disclaimers for a few years. Also see it with some collector car dealerships.

What it means is you're on your own if there is an obvious problem. Like this:

[70 copo]

Exactly. Sadly people that are new to the hobby fall victim to the obvious then they fall again to the enforcement mechanism... legal nightmare soon follows.

[BCreekDave]

It's not mentioned, but it would seem as long as the VIN matches the hidden VINS all is good? What if it doesn't? Or maybe it doesn't matter at all? I suppose the seller would just say the hidden VIN area was what was replaced during the restoration. So now all the rebodies out there are restored original cars now?

[William]

Depends on how deep the DMV digs on an out of state title. If they just look at the VIN tag & rivets, a rebody could get by. Don't know if it has since been shut down, years ago the special VIN rivets were openly marketed.

'60s cars were mass-produced in quantity. If someone really knows what they are doing a rebody could be indetectable. Problems arise when they don't know what they are doing, usually the case.

[Jimlt4383]

I thought it was a federal law that the Vin tag couldn't be tampered with.

[Lee Stewart]

I thought it was a federal law that the Vin tag couldn't be tampered with.

It is:

after October 25, 1984, the falsification or removal of any VIN required by the DOT on a motor vehicle is a federal crime under 18 U.S.C. § 511. Motor vehicles which have had their DOT required VINs falsified or removed after October 24, 1984, are subject to seizure and forfeiture under 18 U.S.C.

https://www.justice.gov/archives/jm/criminal-resource-manual-1364-altering-or-removing-motor-vehicle-identification-numbers

[Lynn]

However, there are exceptions even under the Federal law.

Thankfully, a rebody is not one of them.

[DW31S]

Thanks for posting William.