[Jeff H]

First question would be, "how will you get a title for it"? Second question "will you be happy with it even if it gets a state issued VIN knowing it might make it difficult to sell in the future". I would also wonder if the current owner is legally the owner of the shell if the other person bought the VIN and trim tag and title then they really own the shell as well. Picture yourself going into DMV and saying "I need a title to this car I purchased" and you give them the full VIN. They tell you it's registered and titled to someone else so how did you get the car? I would ask a lot of questions at DMV and the state police before I spent a penny on the car. If they can issue a new title and VIN and you're comfortable with that, then it's like building one of the new shells like you menitioned. I'd still be interested to hear from one of the guys with a lawyer background.