C1 purchase, what to watch for?

[Gary C.]

Re: C1 purchase, what to watch for?

Richard,

FWIW, it's a violation of Federal law and most State laws to have a car without a VIN tag.

Gary
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[Thomas S.]

Re: C1 purchase, what to watch for?

There are varying procedures in each state to deal with VIN issues. I was in the process of buying a pristine 61 VW Beetle. This was a remote purchase from a museum with hundreds of photos. One of those photos showed the VIN tag which ended up being a 62 sequence. 62 made sense based on other characteristics such as the 1st year for a fuel gauge, 62 only steering wheel, etc.

The car was absolutely perfect and I ended up telling the owner to get the paperwork issue cleared up before I would purchase the car. I simply didn't want to deal with it. After approximately 4-weeks and absolutely no work on my part, the owner had the correct documentation and I bought the car.

The owner had to get in touch with DMV (North Carolina) and a DMV rep came out to examine the car. I would imagine that would be the same scenario for other states. In your case, you have a title but no VIN tag so the process might be different.

My advice is to look for another car that is properly title and tagged. If you really want this car, then have the owner deal with the DMV stuff and make sure you have all of the paperwork they submitted and it is properly executed. If the owner does not want to do this, then walk away.

[Richard E.]

Re: C1 purchase, what to watch for?

The owner has stated that he believes the VIN is in the frame. I will have to pass on this car even if the VIN is in the frame.
I understand the VIN has only been in use in the USA since 1954. If true, I would think there are many thousands of vehicles without VIN tags. I'm not sure how the law applies, but I will leave that for others to figure out!
Thanks again everyone for your helpful comments.

[Gary C.]

Re: C1 purchase, what to watch for?

Richard,

Yes, the VIN is stamped into the frame under the driver's side door sill. Corvettes have had VIN tags since 1953.

Per U.S. Code "Section 511(a) of Title 18 makes it a felony knowingly to remove, obliterate, tamper with, or alter an identification number for a road motor vehicle or a road motor vehicle part."

Gary
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[Robert I.]

Re: C1 purchase, what to watch for?

"FWIW C1's are generally not meant for big guys. Steering wheel to close and top not tall enough for anyone over 6ft with top up."

My dad was 6'4" and had no problems driving it. He weighed 190 pounds so he didn't have a gut to push up against the wheel. I'm a mere 6 feet and I have plenty of room.

I was driving it to work one day and was going from the San Bernardino Fwy to the Long Beach Fwy. The 2 lane ramp goes 270 degrees. I thought I was going pretty good around that turn, until a woman passed me in a Toyota, on the outside, putting on her lipstick.

[Joe L.]

Re: C1 purchase, what to watch for?

There is no VIN tag on the driver's side door frame below the top hinge, the holes are there where I believe the factory VIN originally attached.
The DRF with number is on the title, but nowhere on the car that I could see or that the current owner could show me. If the title originated in California, would it be possible to trace ownership history through the California DMV? Would it be possible for the California DMV to provide a replacement VIN tag? This is probably more effort than I wish to get involved with, but I will share comments with the current owner to assist him in obtaining addition information about the car. Thanks again everyone for your comments.

Richard------


To buy a car with an identification number on the title which can be found nowhere on the car is a HUGE mistake. A friend of mine did this years ago with an old Mercedes Cabriolet. It turned out that Mercedes were titled with the engine number and this car had had the engine replaced at some point. The problems that ensued for him were MASSIVE.

No matter how great a car and/or how good a deal it is, I would not touch such a car with a ten foot pole.

By the way, as others have mentioned, there is a VIN derivative stamping on the frame although very difficult to see. However, I can absolutely guarantee you that it will not begin with "DRF". So, even if you were to access the frame VIN derivative, it's not going to match the title. Also, for as long as I can remember, a California DMV issued replacement VIN is a foil label attached to the left side door or door jamb.

[Patrick S.]

Re: C1 purchase, what to watch for?

I have owned 6 C1 Corvettes and I was able to see the VIN stamped on each on top of the frame under the drivers seat. Not easy to see with the body on the frame but where there is a will there is a way. I usually wedged the body up and with a mirror I was able to see enough to varify. Of course matching the title is key. Just takes time and effort but for me it was essential. During my years I have seen some real scetchy stuff that I would consider fraud.

[Ed H.]

Re: C1 purchase, what to watch for?

Richard, what part of the US do you live. The only way you would be able to tell the VIN on that car is visually inspecting the two VIN stampings on the driver's side, upper. Do not know why it was stamped twice. If you are unable to get to those numbers, you will have a hard time registering the vehicle in any state. California did, in some cases issue registrations using the engine numbers, however I have restored 3 C-1's and all had the VIN tags on the D/S A pillar. What is the engine stamping, that may give you a clue as to the month/year of the car. 56 and 57 are similar but have detectable differences such as headlight covers, trans stamping and rear end, no posi in 56 unless it was late and special purpose (a Duntov race car). What is the advertised H/P, if it is 2/4's, single 4/Bbl. or Fuel Injection. Powerglide or 3 or 4 Spd. Good photos would be a great help.

[Mike M.]

Re: C1 purchase, what to watch for?

richard: you have a PM. mike mccagh