Vin Tag Question

[James C.]

I am looking at a '67 coupe. The vin tag is a little off with the "1" missing on the beginning of the code. It starts with a "9". From what I can tell it seems to be a factory error. Everything else seems to be in order. I have attached the trim tag for further reference. May I ask your opinion. Thank you




IMG_1416.jpg


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[Tom H.]

Re: Vin Tag Question

Hard to tell from the pic. Be cautious of VIN issues. Even legit ones can cause some serious headaches down the road. Would be nice to see a clearer photo of this tag.

[Ara G.]

Re: Vin Tag Question

That trim tag looks pretty shiny to me....I would recommend having a judge look at the tags on the car if you were serious about the car. Tag issues are NOT something you want to first find out about when you hit the judging field. The pic of the Vin tag is useless. In fact, very little can be told from pics of the tags. Magnification in person needs to be done to tell one way or the other. Don't rush. A lynndale blue car with leather interior is a relatively rare item (lynndale was third rarest exterior color and leather gut is rare in and of itself) so tread cautiously. Just my two cents. My Grandmother always used to say "a fool and his money soon part". I am not calling you a fool, I am just suggesting you spend your money on something that is worth it, not a made up car that's worth half what you paid for it. ARA

[Joe L.]

Re: Vin Tag Question

I am looking at a '67 coupe. The vin tag is a little off with the "1" missing on the beginning of the code. It starts with a "9". From what I can tell it seems to be a factory error. Everything else seems to be in order. I have attached the trim tag for further reference. May I ask your opinion. Thank you







[ATTACH=CONFIG]56034[/ATTACH]


[ATTACH=CONFIG]56033[/ATTACH]

James------


I've said it many times before and I'll say it again. When purchasing an old Corvette for Big $$$$, you want to make sure that the VIN tag on the car agrees with the VIN derivative stamping on the frame. Yes, the frame stamping is hard to see but, it can be seen with some effort. No match= No Buy.

[Michael G.]

Re: Vin Tag Question

James------


I've said it many times before and I'll say it again. When purchasing an old Corvette for Big $$$$, you want to make sure that the VIN tag on the car agrees with the VIN derivative stamping on the frame. Yes, the frame stamping is hard to see but, it can be seen with some effort. No match= No Buy.

I'm sure I'll get poo-poo'd on this however to some who may choose to remain anonymous a frame match doesn't carry the weight it once did. Not having the original frame or a replacement frame in my example doesn't hurt as much as if any when compared to not having a original drive train. This ought to stir the natives......

[Joe L.]

Re: Vin Tag Question

I'm sure I'll get poo-poo'd on this however to some who may choose to remain anonymous a frame match doesn't carry the weight it once did. Not having the original frame or a replacement frame in my example doesn't hurt as much as if any when compared to not having a original drive train. This ought to stir the natives......

Michael-------


The basis for my recommendation on this issue has absolutely NOTHING to do with "matching numbers" and "value" thus conferred. It has everything to do with verifying the legitimacy of a particular car and establishing whether the person selling the car actually has "clear title" to the car. If the VIN plate does not agree with the frame VIN derivative stamping, a serious question exists as to all of this. I would NEVER want to purchase a car with such questions and I highly recommend that no one else does, either.

[Michael G.]

Re: Vin Tag Question

Michael-------


The basis for my recommendation on this issue has absolutely NOTHING to do with "matching numbers" and "value" thus conferred. It has everything to do with verifying the legitimacy of a particular car and establishing whether the person selling the car actually has "clear title" to the car. If the VIN plate does not agree with the frame VIN derivative stamping, a serious question exists as to all of this. I would NEVER want to purchase a car with such questions and I highly recommend that no one else does, either.

I would offer there are Corvettes (numbers unknown) running the streets with a replacement frame due to typical frame rust. It makes no sense to repair a frame that's on life support. Should there there is no match between motor and frame is certainly no reason to discount a cars validity. Due diligence must still be preformed.

[James C.]

Re: Vin Tag Question

Sorry about the poor photo. At this moment the owner is out of town so I cannot get another one right awar. I was told of the issue by the owner in a phone conversation. He said that the frame number matches the vin. I would not consider the car a very high dollar car today. It need some help and the prices reflects that. I did like that it was rare colored leather car along with A/C, P/S, P/B, side exhaust, P/W and telescopic wheel.

Has anyone seen this type of error before on a vin tag?

I will go and see the car in about 10 days when the owner returns.

Thanks

[Ken R.]

Re: Vin Tag Question

What does the car's state title/registration say compared to the vin tag? If they don't match it is no brainer as to purchase IMHO. It may be a problem to ever get it licensed in any state if they don't match or there is a question on the tag #'s where a police officer has to inspect the car. If you ever wanted to sell it thru an auction house, they check this stuff very well now days, even checking frame #. Lots of questions for you to think about on this car.

[James C.]

Re: Vin Tag Question

I have been provided with a report from the state of Texas saying the vin is good. The police placed a tag on the door (according to the owner and a picture he provided) reaffirming the original tag number with the "1" this time included on the state tag.


As you can tell I am concerned about this, having never seen an vin tag missing the first digit before. I know that salvage tags can be issued but to my knowledge they are typically a complete new number. This case seems, at least to me, to be a factory error with the first digit left off.

Has anyone seen this before?
IMG_1619.jpg

[Ara G.]

Re: Vin Tag Question

Yowza. There's your answer....Personally that would end my interest in the car, BUT not everyone has the same intentions/goals with a car. If your intention is to drive it, enjoy it, show it at show and shines, etc then if it's priced right and that's what you want to do with it then it's ok. However, on this board we presume (sometimes correctly and sometimes not) that every owner who posts something here is planning on having his/her car judged at an NCRS event. If your intentions were to Flight the car, then I would walk from this car in a minute - there are too many "no issue" cars out there to purchase. Having a car judged is stressful enough, let alone having to have a mild heart attack over if the judging will accept your Vin tag. Just my two cents...Good luck regardless. ARA

[Philip A.]

Re: Vin Tag Question

I have read all of the above and it is all very good information. Over the years, I have thought about the collection of parts that makes up a Corvette and asked myself what "part" is the Corvette that other parts are added to. I always land at the Corvette is the VIN Tag! Everything else is able to be legally changed and has been. The VIN Tag is not legal to transfer or alter. Base on my view, I would walk away from this car.

[Paul J.]

Re: Vin Tag Question

I have been provided with a report from the state of Texas saying the vin is good. The police placed a tag on the door (according to the owner and a picture he provided) reaffirming the original tag number with the "1" this time included on the state tag.


As you can tell I am concerned about this, having never seen an vin tag missing the first digit before. I know that salvage tags can be issued but to my knowledge they are typically a complete new number. This case seems, at least to me, to be a factory error with the first digit left off.

Has anyone seen this before?
[ATTACH=CONFIG]56038[/ATTACH]

If you're asking if I've seen state tags like this before, yes, I have. Notice that the "1" on the Texas State tag was either stamped as an afterthought or at least not stamped with the other numbers. I know that you have paperwork, but I would talk to the Texas DMV or the State police.

[Bob H.]

Re: Vin Tag Question

If the VIN tag is original to the car then I would assume this is an issue that has followed this car its entire life. If this is a more recent issue then I would have great concern. There should be considerable documentation provided to you as to when, where and why this occurred. Did Texas check the frame to issue this "reassigned" number? As others have mentioned, I believe a confirmation of the frame stamping and seeing it match other than the "1" is the only thing that would make me more comfortable.

Bob

[Leif A.]

Re: Vin Tag Question

James------


I've said it many times before and I'll say it again. When purchasing an old Corvette for Big $$$$, you want to make sure that the VIN tag on the car agrees with the VIN derivative stamping on the frame. Yes, the frame stamping is hard to see but, it can be seen with some effort. No match= No Buy.

Joe,

Not wanting to in any way hijack this thread, but can you share with me the location of the vin on a '67 frame? I checked the TIM&JG with no luck.

Thank you,
Leif