Missing number plate

[Steve V.]

Is there any source for number plates?

Steve

[William G.]

Re: Missing number plate

Steve,

You must want that '60 pretty badly. On a REAL good day my opinion MIGHT be worth two cents. So............"run, don't walk". And I won't even expect the two cents. It seems to me that it could be that the reason it was made into a show car is that it had a checkered ownership history and taking it "off the road" was a good way to hide things. It's always been hard for me to believe that people can be that flippant with VINs and number plates. I know, I know.......that is not addressing the question you were asking and so feel free to slam me--I probably deserve it. I'm just reluctant to chance losing $40,000 or more. Slim chance...I suppose. But tomorrow (or sooner) they'll be another, better car come along for sale. Always happens to me anyway.

Bill

[Henry F.]

Re: Missing number plate

You have a real can of worms, you may need to pull the body and verify the vin on the frame and get a certified "tag" from the DMV!
Repo tags are nothing but trouble!
I'm sure there will be other comments.

[John F.]

Re: Missing number plate

If not the real deal, you could be in for a real can of worms down the line when wanting to resell. If you are not worried about that kind of thing and want to spend the money and enjoy the car as a driver, go for it. These cars were built to enjoy!

[Don H.]

Re: Missing number plate

I don't know for sure, but I am guessing that there are repro VIN plates made for this car, since there is repro everything else made for it.
But my question is the same as the previous posters asked, Why?
Why buy a car with a bogus VIN plate? You must be a masochist, or else the price is so cheap you think your savings is worth the aggravation you will have trying to register, and possibly resell the car in the future. In this buyer's market, with so many of these cars for sale, why buy one with such an obvious discrepancy? And that story about some owner 35 years ago making the car into a show car, and he had to sacrifice the VIN plate to do it.... right. Don't try to tell that one to the Highway Patrol inspector who has to sign off your repro VIN so you can register your car. I'm surprised someone could keep a straight face telling you that one..
good luck

[Dick W.]

Re: Missing number plate

Henry's advice is good. If you want this car, purchase it with the caveat that the present owner will go thru the process and get a state issued VIN tag. There are no problems getting the car judged with a proper government issued tag.

[Bruce B.]

Re: Missing number plate

Steve,
You have a private message.
Bruce B

[Loren L.]

Re: Missing number plate

Henry's advice is good. If you want this car, purchase it with the caveat that the present owner will go thru the process and get a state issued VIN tag. There are no problems getting the car judged with a proper government issued tag.

Sorry, but make him correct it - if he can't, RUN AWAY. I guess I'm surprised that you bothered to LOOK at the car when it didn't have a VIN tag. To the owner, you are looking like a dream come true, complete with $$$ - if you get a bill of sale, somewhere on it in letters 12" high will be "AS IS, WHERE IS".

[Ron H.]

Re: Missing number plate

I have a 65 with a state issued VIN. I also have a notarized copy of a letter that was sent to State of Tenn., by restorer stating it was damaged in restoration. The state issued VIN passed muster with Tenn. and Fla. DMV. My title is clear and valid.

I had no problem with interested buyers, and will not prevent it from being flight judged, as VINs arent judged, just verified.

But, you are playing with fire getting a repop VIN. If fact, in most states its illegal to buy or sell a non factory or state issued VIN. And frankly there is no reason to get one. Have your local police run the VIN through NCIB to make sure its not stolen. Then apply to your state for a replacement VIN.

[William G.]

Re: Missing number plate

But...........the VIN the car now has is not the issue as far as whether the state(s) or local police can tell you if it has a stolen vehicle history. It is THE HIDDEN ACTUAL VIN that must be checked for history and Steve doesn't know what that is. And determining what that correct VIN is will not be easy. I still find it hard to believe the story about the number plate being removed to chrome the column. MAYBE that is true, but why take a chance on it when 1960 Corvettes are not really that rare. If true........it is a pretty dumb thing to do unless one is trying to get "value" from the car on the show circuit and not have to register the thing. Tomorrow or next Tuesday at the latest another car will come along with good provenance instead of this bastardized show car. Sorry, that's my two cents and I'm sticking to it. Fifty years is a long time......long enough to hide a "dirty" history through several owners and maybe several years (decades, even) when it was taken off the road and made into a "show car".

Bill

Bill

[Dick W.]

Re: Missing number plate

What many here seem not to be aware of is that the tags fell off many C-1 cars. The spot welds, in a lot of incidences, did not retain the tags as they should have. This problem is not unique to the original poster.

[Don H.]

Re: Missing number plate

You can read the frame VIN in some cases (I have) with the body on. Get a good idea of exact location from someone with the body off their car (below the driver's seat). Sand it and spread chalk, wipe then use a mirror and light. All the advise given so far is very good. I "bought" (verbal agreement) a '58 many years ago until I looked at the title to match the VIN to the body tag. That is when I saw it did not have a body tag and the VIN was not a Corvette. I RAN! As a side note a local deputy sheriff who used to have Corvettes asked me about it 6 months later. I told him what I knew but he never said why he asked . . . . Don H.

[Steve V.]

Re: Missing number plate

I appreciate everyone's input on this issue, especially Dick and Bruce who have most been helpful. I am not afraid of this car. I know the owner and he has had the car 25 years and the previous owner was known to him had it a similar time. Unlike some states, Tennessee trys to make life easy for us old car buffs. I haven't purchased this car yet but just for grins I took Ron's advice and applied for a state VIN tag for a 1929 Model A Ford that I also have. These cars did not have VIN tags at all, they had serial numbered engines and that number became the VIN on the title. Well since my car was built using swap meet parts (including a title) the VIN doesn't match the engine # so for ten dollars I went to the DMV and applied for a state VIN tag. I was not even aware you could do this in TN. We'll see what happens next and then I'll make a decision about the Vette.

BTW this is only going to be a driver. It is a 230HP/4 speed/two top/power window car with some minor flaws and I am a competent mechanic with a nice shop to work in so as long as I can get a clear title I will be ok.

Steve

[William G.]

Re: Missing number plate

Steve,

Seems like you've got a good handle on things. I believe many states are not as accommodating as your's. Good luck.

Dick,

Yes, I was unaware that C1 number plates were prone to falling off......but that really doesn't alter much as to my opinion. Steve says the car has a home made plate on it. IF a VIN plate fell off of my car I sure as h**l wouldn't consign it to the trash can.....I'd hang onto it as though it were a good sized gold nugget. Steve didn't tell us initially that he knew a good deal about the car's past history. That is more significant to the issue than that the plates were prone to falling off. And to most people the comment about chrome plating the steering column is going to seem a little fishy.........if not to most people, certainly to me. I'd set a new track record in the mile unless the car was very rare and cheap and I just had to have it........John Law be d****d in the bargain. But I'd have some sleepless nights.

Bill

[Robert R.]

Re: Missing number plate

Steve,

Dick's comment is valid. Back in 1974, on my first Corvette, a '62, had the VIN Plate missing.
The owner offered to come with me to make an appointment with the Illinois State Police office to have it inspected. The officer jacked up the car, went to a spot on the drivers side of the frame with some sand paper and a mirror and then said that it matched what was on the title.
They filed the paperwork, called me two weeks later and afixed the IL tag to the driver side panel just below the windshield area.

If you know and trust the seller, he should have no issue to work with you on the matter.