NEW MEMBER, Butch Stroupe (49713)

[Butch S.]

Re: NEW MEMBER, Butch Stroupe (49713)

All, I found the vin stamped on the left frame rail just in from of the center line on the left half shaft, 3/8's of a inch from the out side of the frame rail, it took a lot of cleaning but it was there, those pic's really helpped, Thank you all for the great info, I really appreciate it!!!
Well , now I really need some help, the Vin tag under the glove box and all of the DVM paper work I recieved when I bought the car in 1979 shows that my car is a 66 Vin # 194376SXXXXXX,
but the stamp in the frame shows 5SXXXXXX, and body has the fresh air system in it with a blower on the the driver side.
What do I do now? Thanks in advanve

Butch Stroupe

[William C.]

Re: NEW MEMBER, Butch Stroupe (49713)

First, contact a good lawyer, then have said lawyer contact the place you purchased the car from, asking for a full refund. Unless the lawyer has a better option, the car is TOXIC! as the VIN tag and trim tag has obviously been switched to represent a '65 car as a '66, a violation of state and federal law. Many locations will hold a dealer who sold such a vehicle liable for being an "expert" in the representation of such a vehicle and allow the purchaser to return the vehicle for purchase price refund. Even the slightest brush with the law, accident or ticket has the potential to have the car impounded with little chance of it's return to you.

[Mike M.]

Re: NEW MEMBER, Butch Stroupe (49713)

assuming the 1979 purchase price was less than 7500 bucks, if the dealer still exists, he'll probably refund the 7500 and then part the midyear mixture out.who was the dealer(send private email)mike

[Pat M.]

Re: NEW MEMBER, Butch Stroupe (49713)

Isn't it possible that this is a legit 66 with a 65 replacement frame and rear clip? How do we know from the info given that the VIN and trim tag have been tampered with? Also, was the car held out to be a correct, all numbers matching 66? I'd be VERY careful before you accuse someone of fraud, particularly after owning the car, without protest, for 30 years.

[William C.]

Re: NEW MEMBER, Butch Stroupe (49713)

First step for the lawyer is to check the '65 frame vin to see if it comes up as a stolen vehicle anytime in the past, in it comes up clean, then you have a potential nice driver, but the issue of what vin on the engine pad and the method of attachment used to attach the vin tag to the location under the glovebox are all items needing some research.

[Mike M.]

Re: NEW MEMBER, Butch Stroupe (49713)

Possible, Pat.
That's why I would like to see the answer to my earlier question about the color of the underbody fiberglas panels.
The color will tell a lot. If the body was spliced, it should be obvious.
If that is a replacement body, my guess would be a complete body switch from at least the cowl rearward. Convertibles were a lot easier to piece together.
HaND

[Tom H.]

Re: NEW MEMBER, Butch Stroupe (49713)

If I missed it, I'm sorry, but i'd like to see the engine numbers. I'd also like to see the tags. You can cover the VIN #, I'd just like to see the tag rivets and mounting surface.