My Vin Plate and Frame Number don't match?

[Leif A.]

Re: My Vin Plate and Frame Number don't match?

So I just went to the Auctions America site and found the car in question. It was sold at the Auburn spring auction (May 8-10, 2014) as lot 5174. It's listed as a 1958 and they used a stock description for a '58 corvette, but the pictures show a hood without louvers and a trunk without the chrome strips.

The plot thickens. Did the OP think he bought a '59 when all along it was advertised as a '58?? Wonder how it was announced as it went across the block?? What ARE his options as this point?? Haven't heard from the OP in a while so ...

[William C.]

Re: My Vin Plate and Frame Number don't match?

Sounds like it was advertised and presented as a '59, He didn't check the VIN tag against the paperwork until after purchase....

[Jim D.]

Re: My Vin Plate and Frame Number don't match?

It really doesn't matter. A car sold as a 59 with a 58 VIN or a car sold as a 58 even though it's really a 59. Either way, it's FRAUD.

[Jerome P.]

Re: My Vin Plate and Frame Number don't match?

Hugh, you have received a lot of feed back and suggestions regarding your problem. I am sure most of us would appreciate an update as to what you have done as well as what position Auctions America has taken.

[Patrick H.]

Re: My Vin Plate and Frame Number don't match?

Hugh, you have received a lot of feed back and suggestions regarding your problem. I am sure most of us would appreciate an update as to what you have done as well as what position Auctions America has taken.

He hasn't visited us since May 30th, so it looks like we will have to wait for an answer.

[Randy S.]

Re: My Vin Plate and Frame Number don't match?

It really doesn't matter. A car sold as a 59 with a 58 VIN or a car sold as a 58 even though it's really a 59. Either way, it's FRAUD.

Not so sure Auctions America has any liability or committed fraud. Poster #33 says it was advertised as a 58 and has a 58 title and vin tag number. Does Auction America have a responsibility to say has a replacement frame with 59 vin? OP May have assumed it was a 59 due to the cosmetic differences. I'd be curious to hear Auction Americas response

Randy

[Dick W.]

Re: My Vin Plate and Frame Number don't match?

Not to speak for Auctions America, but auction firms depend heavily on what the seller tells them. Normally if there is an issue with title or misrepresentation the firm will attempt to resolve the problem. In this case, it sounds like the seller either knowingly or unknowingly misrepresented the car to the firm.

It is my guess that a buyer would have serious problems getting that car registered in most states. In NC, the DMV is required to visually inspect for VIN #s on vehicles coming in from out of state that are 25 years old or older

[Jim D.]

Re: My Vin Plate and Frame Number don't match?

Not so sure Auctions America has any liability or committed fraud. Poster #33 says it was advertised as a 58 and has a 58 title and vin tag number. Does Auction America have a responsibility to say has a replacement frame with 59 vin? OP May have assumed it was a 59 due to the cosmetic differences. I'd be curious to hear Auction Americas responseRandy

If you read all the info. provided by the OP you'll see this is a 1959 car plain and simple including the frame VIN. It also has a 58 VIN tag and title. We don't know who or when that happened but switching VIN tags is fraud and a felony. Unfortunately, when this is found out, it's usually the current owner that gets the shaft as the car will probably be confiscated with no compensation to the owner. That's why the OP should start action immediately to get his money back or he risks losing it all. Auctions America and the person they got it from are who I'd go after if it were me.

[Jim H.]

Re: My Vin Plate and Frame Number don't match?

The auction houses I have dealt with over the years (Gooding, Russo & Steele) have always required owners represent the vin tag and title are in exact agreement and they confirm this at the auction site when the car arrives. We had a '69 Jag E-Type that had a truly minor lack of agreement (IIRC, a superfluous suffix on the title vin that was not on the vin tag) and the auction house retained Arizona counsel, had the error corrected, and the title reissued prior to the auction. I paid a nominal fee. Surprised to hear of this, particularly given the readily observable differences between the 58 and 59. You can't take anything for granted.

[Leif A.]

Re: My Vin Plate and Frame Number don't match?

I guess we'll just have to continue to have this discussion amongst ourselves being as Hugh (OP) seems to have fallen off the face of the earth...hope he didn't get arrested for possession of a stolen motor vehicle;(

[Terry M.]

Re: My Vin Plate and Frame Number don't match?

I guess we'll just have to continue to have this discussion amongst ourselves being as Hugh (OP) seems to have fallen off the face of the earth...hope he didn't get arrested for possession of a stolen motor vehicle;(

Perhaps his legal counsel advised him to stop posting until the matter is resolved. I wouldn't need the advice of counsel to tell me to do that.

[Ken A.]

Re: My Vin Plate and Frame Number don't match?

I would bet that he & AA wish he had never posted, but contacted them (AA) first.

[Ian G.]

Re: My Vin Plate and Frame Number don't match?

This is of interest to me chiefly because my frame was pretty badly rusted so I bought a good used frame for my 59. Where does the law stand on me switching out the VIN on the good used frame with my actual VIN? I don't ever plan to sell it, but just so it isn't so complicated if I do -- assuming I disclose the original VIN has been welded in and it's not original frame? The door-jamb VIN is original to the car. Or am I breaking the law if I attempt this?

[William C.]

Re: My Vin Plate and Frame Number don't match?

As long as you have a legit Bill Of Sale with the new frame, including the VIN You should be ok. Title is generally done to the vin attached in the door opening or welded onto the steering column depending on year. THAT is the one that MUST match the title. As to switching the VIN frame to frame, I'd thin it would create more issues than it would solve...

[Hugh S.]

Re: My Vin Plate and Frame Number don't match?

Hi Ian,
I agree with Bill Clupper below in his reply. Get a good Bill of sale. It sounds like you are "building the Car" Is that the case? in My state, the DMV will check out the VIN Number/tag. If you don't have a Number our DMV, Virginia, will assign one. I would think, as Bill indicated, switching the VIN frame to frame, might cause more questions. You should check with your state DMV.

THanks and Good Luck on your project,

Hugh Smith (60000)

,

This is of interest to me chiefly because my frame was pretty badly rusted so I bought a good used frame for my 59. Where does the law stand on me switching out the VIN on the good used frame with my actual VIN? I don't ever plan to sell it, but just so it isn't so complicated if I do -- assuming I disclose the original VIN has been welded in and it's not original frame? The door-jamb VIN is original to the car. Or am I breaking the law if I attempt this?