VIN TAG

[Ronald D, Rains]

I have a 68 that had a windshield rust problem and had the VIN plate rusted out.
Any sugestions for a replacement tag?
thanks
Ronald D. Rains

[Joe L.]

Re: VIN TAG

Ronald------

Try A. G. Backeast. You can "dial them up" on the web at http://vtxpress.com/data-plate

They will require COMPLETE documentation and proof of ownership before producing a VIN tag. The remnants of the corroded VIN tag would be good to keep and/or send to them.

In some states it is illegal to affix a reproduction VIN tag to a vehicle under any circumstances. In other states, like California where I live, it's legal to affix a reproduction VIN tag but it has to be done with the approval and supervision of the DMV.

[Joe L.]

Re: VIN TAG

Ronald------

Try A. G. Backeast. You can "dial them up" on the web at http://vtxpress.com/data-plate

They will require COMPLETE documentation and proof of ownership before producing a VIN tag. The remnants of the corroded VIN tag would be good to keep and/or send to them.

In some states it is illegal to affix a reproduction VIN tag to a vehicle under any circumstances. In other states, like California where I live, it's legal to affix a reproduction VIN tag but it has to be done with the approval and supervision of the DMV.

[Dave Suesz]

It was a long time ago, but...

A friend of mine in FL had exactly this problem with a '70. The local Chevy dealer was able to have the regional GM rep apply a new one. If this is no longer possible, by all means use Backeast, he is very particular about documentation but has superior products.

[Dave Suesz]

It was a long time ago, but...

A friend of mine in FL had exactly this problem with a '70. The local Chevy dealer was able to have the regional GM rep apply a new one. If this is no longer possible, by all means use Backeast, he is very particular about documentation but has superior products.

[Joe L.]

Re: It was a long time ago, but...

Dave-----

I expect that the machines which GM used to produce these old-style VIN tags was scrapped years ago. So, even if GM was willing, I doubt that they'd have the means anymore to produce an original-style tag anymore.

[Joe L.]

Re: It was a long time ago, but...

Dave-----

I expect that the machines which GM used to produce these old-style VIN tags was scrapped years ago. So, even if GM was willing, I doubt that they'd have the means anymore to produce an original-style tag anymore.

[Dave Suesz]

Lessee, that was in '88, so...

I suspect you are right. Backeast does terrific work, probably better than original, correct font (lettering style) etc.

[Dave Suesz]

Lessee, that was in '88, so...

I suspect you are right. Backeast does terrific work, probably better than original, correct font (lettering style) etc.

[Jack H.]

Wrote a chapter newletter article on this....

in response to member query about a car that showed up at our Flight meet last year. The car had NO VIN tag on it whatsoever. Member had reams of correspondence from delivering dealer to GM and GM back to the dealer. Apparently the car was a bona fide 'escape' from the factory!

A comedy of error ensued with GM issuing a 'duplicate VIN tag' on two occassions and each time somebody dropped the ball in getting and putting it on the car. Car was registered based on notarized letter from GM stating its original VIN ID number, but the official tag NEVER got put on the car....

We had to decline to judge the car based on Section 2, Rule 1 of the NCRS Judging Reference Manual:

"NCRS Fligh Judging is presently open to any 1953 through 1982 production Chevrolet Corvette as long as the owner(s) is an NCRS member in good standing. The vehicle must be entered and shown in the name of, and by, the owner/member and proof of ownership, such as state vhicle registration or a copy of the ownership title, must be available for confirmation. The must have the correct attached, Chevrolet factory Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) plate, or attached valid state-approved replacement ID plate which matches title and/or registration. Should a car appear with a Chevrolet (GM) issued duplicate VIN plate, it must be accompanied with acceptable documentation from the Chevrolet Division of General Motors confirming issuance. Any car appearing without identification as described shall be ineligible for any NCRS judging."

Tough break turning this guy away, but those are our rules. Noticing the reference(s) to 'Chevrolet (GM) issued duplicate VIN plate', I wanted to know more. This wouldn't be the first or last time a car had lost it's tag due to crash, repair, Etc.

So, in the Fall of 2000 I dropped by John Elway Chevrolet and looked up the service manager. I asked about the duplicate VIN plate program. He was completely uninformed! But, he took my name/phone number and volunteered to contact Chevrolet and find out specifics.

He called back about 48-hours later to say:

(1) Yes, there was such a program.
(2) It was administered through the zone dealer on request of the any Chevy dealer.
(3) Unfortunately, the program had been terminated about 8-months ago and was no longer an available option.

This was an interesting quirk. To complete my newsletter article, I interviewed Roy Sinor, NCRS National Judging Chairman, at the Galveston National Convention. Wasn't this an 'appropriate' place for the use of a 'reproduction' VIN tag?

Roy's answer to me was a resounding, "NO". Despite what certain States might allow in terms of restorer action(s) in the VIN tag department, there were only TWO recognized issuing authorities to NCRS: (1) the original vehicle manufacturer and (2) a valid State government. To take things into your own hands and commission a replacement VIN tag and then install it, simply makes a case somewhere down the road for others to question the authenticity of the car!

At NCRS we accept either, legally binding, VIN source (State or mfgr) but we don't recognize 'reproduction' tags applied by the owner/restorer. If detected (the job of the Team Leader to certify VIN and Trim plates), such replacement could have a dramatic effect. A replacement VIN tag can generate rejection of the car to be judged. A replacement Trim tag, mandates a 50% to 100% originality deduction for all items reported on the tag....

[Jack H.]

Wrote a chapter newletter article on this....

in response to member query about a car that showed up at our Flight meet last year. The car had NO VIN tag on it whatsoever. Member had reams of correspondence from delivering dealer to GM and GM back to the dealer. Apparently the car was a bona fide 'escape' from the factory!

A comedy of error ensued with GM issuing a 'duplicate VIN tag' on two occassions and each time somebody dropped the ball in getting and putting it on the car. Car was registered based on notarized letter from GM stating its original VIN ID number, but the official tag NEVER got put on the car....

We had to decline to judge the car based on Section 2, Rule 1 of the NCRS Judging Reference Manual:

"NCRS Fligh Judging is presently open to any 1953 through 1982 production Chevrolet Corvette as long as the owner(s) is an NCRS member in good standing. The vehicle must be entered and shown in the name of, and by, the owner/member and proof of ownership, such as state vhicle registration or a copy of the ownership title, must be available for confirmation. The must have the correct attached, Chevrolet factory Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) plate, or attached valid state-approved replacement ID plate which matches title and/or registration. Should a car appear with a Chevrolet (GM) issued duplicate VIN plate, it must be accompanied with acceptable documentation from the Chevrolet Division of General Motors confirming issuance. Any car appearing without identification as described shall be ineligible for any NCRS judging."

Tough break turning this guy away, but those are our rules. Noticing the reference(s) to 'Chevrolet (GM) issued duplicate VIN plate', I wanted to know more. This wouldn't be the first or last time a car had lost it's tag due to crash, repair, Etc.

So, in the Fall of 2000 I dropped by John Elway Chevrolet and looked up the service manager. I asked about the duplicate VIN plate program. He was completely uninformed! But, he took my name/phone number and volunteered to contact Chevrolet and find out specifics.

He called back about 48-hours later to say:

(1) Yes, there was such a program.
(2) It was administered through the zone dealer on request of the any Chevy dealer.
(3) Unfortunately, the program had been terminated about 8-months ago and was no longer an available option.

This was an interesting quirk. To complete my newsletter article, I interviewed Roy Sinor, NCRS National Judging Chairman, at the Galveston National Convention. Wasn't this an 'appropriate' place for the use of a 'reproduction' VIN tag?

Roy's answer to me was a resounding, "NO". Despite what certain States might allow in terms of restorer action(s) in the VIN tag department, there were only TWO recognized issuing authorities to NCRS: (1) the original vehicle manufacturer and (2) a valid State government. To take things into your own hands and commission a replacement VIN tag and then install it, simply makes a case somewhere down the road for others to question the authenticity of the car!

At NCRS we accept either, legally binding, VIN source (State or mfgr) but we don't recognize 'reproduction' tags applied by the owner/restorer. If detected (the job of the Team Leader to certify VIN and Trim plates), such replacement could have a dramatic effect. A replacement VIN tag can generate rejection of the car to be judged. A replacement Trim tag, mandates a 50% to 100% originality deduction for all items reported on the tag....

[John M.]

Re: Wrote a chapter newletter article on this....

Jack, if a car with a missing VIN tag (and they do just fall off some cars)is inspected by a law enforcement official to verify the VIN by title, engine block, transmission, and most importantly the frame, and this verification is written as an affidavit on official police stationary, and then a reproduction duplicate tag is made, does NCRS still have a problem with this?

[John M.]

Re: Wrote a chapter newletter article on this....

Jack, if a car with a missing VIN tag (and they do just fall off some cars)is inspected by a law enforcement official to verify the VIN by title, engine block, transmission, and most importantly the frame, and this verification is written as an affidavit on official police stationary, and then a reproduction duplicate tag is made, does NCRS still have a problem with this?

[John M.]

This too was a few years back.....

I have a picure of the machines that printed the VIN tags and trim tags on the St. Louis assembly line, compliments of David Burroughs who was there at plant closing.

Several years ago there was an outfit in Texas called ChevyCraft run by Bill Clement (think I spelled that right) who it is reputed could make a reproduction VIN tag indistinguishable from the original. As I recall, he required involvment of law officials to verify the VIN, a federal filing fee, and a lot of dollars. Does anybody know what ever happened to ChevyCraft & Bill?

[John M.]

This too was a few years back.....

I have a picure of the machines that printed the VIN tags and trim tags on the St. Louis assembly line, compliments of David Burroughs who was there at plant closing.

Several years ago there was an outfit in Texas called ChevyCraft run by Bill Clement (think I spelled that right) who it is reputed could make a reproduction VIN tag indistinguishable from the original. As I recall, he required involvment of law officials to verify the VIN, a federal filing fee, and a lot of dollars. Does anybody know what ever happened to ChevyCraft & Bill?