VIN Tag and Trim Tag

[Michael Barnes]

I have a 66 roadster that had both its VIN and Trim Tags removed and discarded many years ago. I do have a valid title and registration and the assigned VIN number matches the serial number on the frame. the question is, should I be trying to have new tags made? Are both types of tags available and if so, where so? Or should I leave this condition just as it is? I am new to this message board so forgive me if this is an old, tired question. Thanks to all who can help.

[Kevin M.]

Re: VIN Tag and Trim Tag

VIN tags are illegal to duplicate. Trim tags are available, check ebay but differ slightly from originals if you plan on judging. But without a VIN tag you cannot have your car judged. The state can issue a replacement VIN but you'll take deductions for that.

Kevin

[Michael W.]

Re: VIN Tag and Trim Tag

Kevin is coorect that a car without a VIN cannot be judged, but both the OEM and a state issued tag are accepted equally. There's no deduction for a state tag.

The trim tags will suffer a heavy deduct though.

[Dennis C.]

Re: VIN Tag and Trim Tag

There is NO judging deduction for a replacement, state issued and attached VIN tag with appropriate state registration/title paperwork.

[Dennis C.]

Mike, Sorry, somehow I missed your post...

...about the no deduction for a state issued VIN tag. On the Trim Tag issue, a bogus trim tag itself receives very little deduction, but the deductions for those items that tag affects is astronomical.

[John O.]

Re: VIN Tag and Trim Tag

There are guys out there that make the Tags. I have talked to them before. I don't remember where there e-mail address is but they make them

John

[Dennis C.]

John O, That's a good way to leave it... *NM*

[Joe L.]

Re: VIN Tag and Trim Tag

Michael-----

In many states it is illegal to affix a "reproduction" VIN tag to a vehicle. In some states it's illegal to even re-affix the original tag if it's removed for any reason.

For some states, including California, it's legal to affix a reproduction VIN tag to a car IF the process is done with the authorization of and under the supervision of the DMV.

The very first thing that you need to do is to research the law in your state. If your state prohibits the affixation of a reproduction VIN tag, then your path is clear-----you need to get a state-issued VIN for the car.

[Joe R.]

Re: VIN Tag and Trim Tag

You can get a reproduction trim tag from people who make them. The good ones look very nice to the unaided eye. However, a reproduction trim tag will be detected during Flight judging.

Ever since the trim tag authentication book was published (available at the NCRS store), it has been standard practice during NCRS judging to inspect the trim tag under magnification. There are several small tooling characteristics that ONLY original trim tags have.

I can't recite the specifics of how reproduction trim tags are handled during judging, but I have been told that the net result is that a car can not achieve Top Flight with a reproduction trim tag.

This has led to a market in genuine, original trim tags that sell on ebay for well over $1000. Aside from the price, the problem for a prospective buyer is finding an original trim tag that matches reasonably well with the VIN number of their car AND has options that match (or could be made to match) their car.