vin# how important?

[Doug M.]

I am considering the purchase of 66 conv.(327-365).the owner has had the car for 30+ years. he has done a frame on restoration car looks great! But prior to his ownership the car was apparently stolden and the vin# was removed.The car was then retagged by calf. How dose this impact the value or dose it make any difference at all?

thanks

doug moran
email- dougsr@hotmail.com

[Dave Suesz]

Well, first...

You need to absolutely sure of the legal ownership. You also need to be sure the car is titled under the original VIN- some states use their own numbering system for replacement VIN, I knew a guy in PA with THAT problem. Then you need to scroll down to a VIN thread from last week on the subject of VIN replacement. IF you can get AG Backeast to provide the tag at all. no small feat- they are EXTREMELY careful, and painfully honest. I have used their warranty tags on Fords, which cannot be distinguished from the originals. I would assume their GM items are of equal quality.

[Dave Suesz]

Well, first...

You need to absolutely sure of the legal ownership. You also need to be sure the car is titled under the original VIN- some states use their own numbering system for replacement VIN, I knew a guy in PA with THAT problem. Then you need to scroll down to a VIN thread from last week on the subject of VIN replacement. IF you can get AG Backeast to provide the tag at all. no small feat- they are EXTREMELY careful, and painfully honest. I have used their warranty tags on Fords, which cannot be distinguished from the originals. I would assume their GM items are of equal quality.

[Mike Yager]

Re: vin# how important?

Doug:

The difference in value can be significant between a replacement, state issued VIN car vs. a car with the original VIN. Aside from the originality issues, there is always the uncertainty from a potential buyer's standpoint.

Check to see if the seller can back up their story with original paper work. If the state where it was registered thirty years ago required title documents, they should be able to produce the title with the original VIN information. If the state did not require title docs, look for other paper work such as a police report and other documents from the state.

If the seller has these documents and you feel comfortable that everything is legitimate, figure in a substantial discount from market values for an original VIN car. I think a 25% discount from market price is not unreasonable. However, you should buy the car with the knowledge that you may not be able to obtain a replacement VIN with the original number. As posted here it can be difficult (with good reason).

[Mike Yager]

Re: vin# how important?

Doug:

The difference in value can be significant between a replacement, state issued VIN car vs. a car with the original VIN. Aside from the originality issues, there is always the uncertainty from a potential buyer's standpoint.

Check to see if the seller can back up their story with original paper work. If the state where it was registered thirty years ago required title documents, they should be able to produce the title with the original VIN information. If the state did not require title docs, look for other paper work such as a police report and other documents from the state.

If the seller has these documents and you feel comfortable that everything is legitimate, figure in a substantial discount from market values for an original VIN car. I think a 25% discount from market price is not unreasonable. However, you should buy the car with the knowledge that you may not be able to obtain a replacement VIN with the original number. As posted here it can be difficult (with good reason).

[Everett Ogilvie]

How's This for Important... ?

1961 Corvette just recently crushed in the crusher by the state.

After 17 years of ownership and registration renewal every year in one state, the car was recently impounded by the state b/c the owner asked for a VIN inspection for this very reason - years ago a previous state issued a state VIN b/c the original came off (solid axle cars lose the original tag in a stiff breeze). That state probably put a sticker somewhere on the car that matched the state-issued VIN, and this sticker came off over the years. When the recent VIN inspection took place, the frame VIN did not match the title VIN (the title VIN was the state-issued VIN) and the car was impounded. After months of attorneys, etc. the car has just recently been destroyed per state statute.

[Everett Ogilvie]

How's This for Important... ?

1961 Corvette just recently crushed in the crusher by the state.

After 17 years of ownership and registration renewal every year in one state, the car was recently impounded by the state b/c the owner asked for a VIN inspection for this very reason - years ago a previous state issued a state VIN b/c the original came off (solid axle cars lose the original tag in a stiff breeze). That state probably put a sticker somewhere on the car that matched the state-issued VIN, and this sticker came off over the years. When the recent VIN inspection took place, the frame VIN did not match the title VIN (the title VIN was the state-issued VIN) and the car was impounded. After months of attorneys, etc. the car has just recently been destroyed per state statute.

[G B.]

I'd sure like to know more.

Everett, this doesn't sound right on many levels. Was this destruction described in the newspaper?

I don't understand the benefit of crushing a car because of title problems. Impounding, yes... but crushing?

When and in what state did this occur?

[G B.]

I'd sure like to know more.

Everett, this doesn't sound right on many levels. Was this destruction described in the newspaper?

I don't understand the benefit of crushing a car because of title problems. Impounding, yes... but crushing?

When and in what state did this occur?

[James F.]

Re: How's This for Important.. Everett?

Everett,
IMO you could do NCRS members a service by providing to Vinnie Peters in much more detail the specifics to this event. Specifics as to owner's name, state, court, presiding judge, court dates, etc. I'm sure a much more specific (and one which could be validated) story would be important material for the front page of "The Driveline." My many years have taught me, "urban ledgends" when tracked down vaporize. Please do not take the above as it is not intended, specifics can only benefit all NCRS members. Regards,

[James F.]

Re: How's This for Important.. Everett?

Everett,
IMO you could do NCRS members a service by providing to Vinnie Peters in much more detail the specifics to this event. Specifics as to owner's name, state, court, presiding judge, court dates, etc. I'm sure a much more specific (and one which could be validated) story would be important material for the front page of "The Driveline." My many years have taught me, "urban ledgends" when tracked down vaporize. Please do not take the above as it is not intended, specifics can only benefit all NCRS members. Regards,

[Larry Sherman]

Re: How's This for Important.. Everett?

I have to think that I'd be wondering about a 66 that had a 365 in it! Larry

[Larry Sherman]

Re: How's This for Important.. Everett?

I have to think that I'd be wondering about a 66 that had a 365 in it! Larry

[John H.]

Re: vin# how important?

Doug -

Unless the engine has been changed, there was no 327/365 in 1966 - only in '64-'65.

[John H.]

Re: vin# how important?

Doug -

Unless the engine has been changed, there was no 327/365 in 1966 - only in '64-'65.