Replacement Frame vin
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 5,772
Likes: 694
From: Maryland
St. Jude Donor '05, '09, '15
Replacement Frame vin
The frame on the 65 is marginal. I have a good used 78 frame to modify and install. What are the general opinions on the frame vin? Leave it as it is? Grind it off or cover it up? Replace vin frame section with original frame section? Other?
Thanks
Tom
Thanks
Tom
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Close to DC
C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified 2020
I don't think it would matter if you leave it alone or remove it by some means since it's not critical. I'm sure others here on the CF have swapped frames. I wouldn't cut on the frame for that. 
Dennis
Dennis
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Horsham Pa
C2 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Replacing it with a 78 frame is going to require so many mods no one will think it is the original frame anyway. When cutting and grinding take the # off.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 5,772
Likes: 694
From: Maryland
St. Jude Donor '05, '09, '15
I don't think it would matter if you leave it alone or remove it by some means since it's not critical. I'm sure others here on the CF have swapped frames. I wouldn't cut on the frame for that. Dennis
I'd give thought to grinding it off to avoid any possible confusion later. I'm not sure if that is legal, just my thought on your question.
Replacing it with a 78 frame is going to require so many mods no one will think it is the original frame anyway. When cutting and grinding take the # off.
Thanks for input.
Tom
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 6,463
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From: Folsom CA
I am facing the very same job, I have a 74 frame rust free that I plan to use as a donor to fix my 66 frame that is beyond repair. There are a few posts on this forum that detail the changes needed to do this. Since my old frame will be scrap metal when I finish with it I plan to cut the vin out and weld it into the proper spot in the donor frame.
Everyone would agree it is OK to buy new parts to properly fix a rusted frame. I think we are just buying more than the average Joe and doing a larger repair.
As long as the old frame gets scrapped/destroyed and the newer donor frame Vin gets destroyed I see no harm done. Anyone looking will know the frame has been repaired, many Vettes on the road today have had to repair rust damaged frames. If your DMV does an inspection down the road the frame number will match your car. This is my plan to fix my frame. Make your own call on yours and keep us posted on progress.
Everyone would agree it is OK to buy new parts to properly fix a rusted frame. I think we are just buying more than the average Joe and doing a larger repair.
As long as the old frame gets scrapped/destroyed and the newer donor frame Vin gets destroyed I see no harm done. Anyone looking will know the frame has been repaired, many Vettes on the road today have had to repair rust damaged frames. If your DMV does an inspection down the road the frame number will match your car. This is my plan to fix my frame. Make your own call on yours and keep us posted on progress.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 31,497
Likes: 1,313
From: Huntsville AL
Just so everyone knows, removing a VIN stamp from a frame, engine, trans, whatever is illegal in many states.
Those numbers are theft control devices.
Interestingly enough, stamping a new VIN number on a part is not as big of an issue in many states.
I'm just saying....
Those numbers are theft control devices.
Interestingly enough, stamping a new VIN number on a part is not as big of an issue in many states.
I'm just saying....
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Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2015 C2 of Year Finalist
Just so everyone knows, removing a VIN stamp from a frame, engine, trans, whatever is illegal in many states.
Those numbers are theft control devices.
Interestingly enough, stamping a new VIN number on a part is not as big of an issue in many states.
I'm just saying....
Those numbers are theft control devices.
Interestingly enough, stamping a new VIN number on a part is not as big of an issue in many states.
I'm just saying....
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,225
Likes: 44
From: Penticton B.C. Canada
Some years ago I swapped my frame to another '65 frame. I now sometimes think that should have addressed this and made everything match while it was out there and easy. My replacement frame was nicely powdercoated [and perimeter welded], I didn't want to disturb the powdercoating finish. I would today.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: East Central Florida
You are performing a automobile restoration so your intentions are not undermining in any way.
I would grind the numbers from the donor frame. I would not restamp the car numbers on that frame.
I would then use a cutting wheel or torch to remove the 2 stamped sections of the original frame which have the vin derivative stampings. I would put them in a bag and keep them in the folder of documentation for the car and present it along with any other car related documentation to keep with it. I would then cut up and scrap the old frame for cash and use it to help fund the restoration.
Rich
I would grind the numbers from the donor frame. I would not restamp the car numbers on that frame.
I would then use a cutting wheel or torch to remove the 2 stamped sections of the original frame which have the vin derivative stampings. I would put them in a bag and keep them in the folder of documentation for the car and present it along with any other car related documentation to keep with it. I would then cut up and scrap the old frame for cash and use it to help fund the restoration.
Rich
Drifting
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 1,989
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From: Texas
Just an FYI, grinding I am told will not remove a VIN number completely. We had a metallurgist find a lost number for us on a Ferrari block and he said once the number is stamped the metal below the stamp carries the force of the stamp. What he found was pretty amazing.
Steve
Steve
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Del Boca Vista FL
A new replacement frame would come without an assigned VIN. I am guessing don't have paperwork relating to the VIN on the C3 frame you are going to modify to replace your existing frame.
With your car being so original
I, personally, wouldn't be particularly concerned on the VIN issue. I might stamp your VIN onto the replacement frame in an obvious location, like on the top of a front radiator horn, in BIG numbers that anyone in the trade would recognize as not attempting to defraud or fool anyone while relating it to your car.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 5,772
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From: Maryland
St. Jude Donor '05, '09, '15
Hey Tom:
A new replacement frame would come without an assigned VIN. I am guessing don't have paperwork relating to the VIN on the C3 frame you are going to modify to replace your existing frame.
With your car being so original I, personally, wouldn't be particularly concerned on the VIN issue. I might stamp your VIN onto the replacement frame in an obvious location, like on the top of a front radiator horn, in BIG numbers that anyone in the trade would recognize as not attempting to defraud or fool anyone while relating it to your car.
A new replacement frame would come without an assigned VIN. I am guessing don't have paperwork relating to the VIN on the C3 frame you are going to modify to replace your existing frame.
With your car being so original
I, personally, wouldn't be particularly concerned on the VIN issue. I might stamp your VIN onto the replacement frame in an obvious location, like on the top of a front radiator horn, in BIG numbers that anyone in the trade would recognize as not attempting to defraud or fool anyone while relating it to your car.Tom
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2015 C2 of Year Finalist
Tom did you get the frame from the Petry's junk yard on Gorsuchs Rd. I know they have a few shark cars. how did you make out with your front end spindles a while back
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
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From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
You could possibly open yourself up to being vulnerable to a future buyer who might try to take advantage of this.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 5,772
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From: Maryland
St. Jude Donor '05, '09, '15
While your body is off I would look into mounting the '67 shoulder belt rear lower re-enforcements.
Tom