1960 lost VIN tag
#21
Racer
Thread Starter
I want to thank everyone for your response. I have contacted two vendors and will call others.
My VIN no. is 00867S101xxx, the complete VIN is embossed on the tag, right, not just the S101xxx as is on frame and block (I had never paid attention to the VIN tag before)
Both the VIN and the F1217CQ are the same font size on the block, is this correct?
I've had the car two years and because of a medical set-back, I am only now starting to be able to supervise (watch) as friends help.
Would someone post a pic of your VIN tag, with the last numbers covered, of course.
My VIN no. is 00867S101xxx, the complete VIN is embossed on the tag, right, not just the S101xxx as is on frame and block (I had never paid attention to the VIN tag before)
Both the VIN and the F1217CQ are the same font size on the block, is this correct?
I've had the car two years and because of a medical set-back, I am only now starting to be able to supervise (watch) as friends help.
Would someone post a pic of your VIN tag, with the last numbers covered, of course.
#22
Team Owner
I want to thank everyone for your response. I have contacted two vendors and will call others.
My VIN no. is 00867S101xxx, the complete VIN is embossed on the tag, right, not just the S101xxx as is on frame and block (I had never paid attention to the VIN tag before)
Both the VIN and the F1217CQ are the same font size on the block, is this correct?
I've had the car two years and because of a medical set-back, I am only now starting to be able to supervise (watch) as friends help.
Would someone post a pic of your VIN tag, with the last numbers covered, of course.
My VIN no. is 00867S101xxx, the complete VIN is embossed on the tag, right, not just the S101xxx as is on frame and block (I had never paid attention to the VIN tag before)
Both the VIN and the F1217CQ are the same font size on the block, is this correct?
I've had the car two years and because of a medical set-back, I am only now starting to be able to supervise (watch) as friends help.
Would someone post a pic of your VIN tag, with the last numbers covered, of course.
I'm not paranoid enough to cover my vin, but here's mine on the door. Your motor build code is about the time they started putting the vin on the block and on the steering column, so I guess it could go either way.
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40ZR1 (03-09-2018)
#23
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C1 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
I have yet to see an "undetectable" reproduction VIN tag for these year Corvettes.
I am not saying it doesn't exist, but I (and many others) have looked at a lot of repo VIN tags, and some are easy to detect, others not quite so easy. But something always gives them away.
I have had many people confirm that their VIN tag was repo after I stated that I believed it to be.
I have had many people deny that their VIN tag was repo after I stated that I believed it to be, and even after I pointed out why I thought so.
I have yet to have someone tell me that their tag was repo after I stated that I believed it was original.
I do not consider myself an expert on this topic, but I have listened and learned from many who I do consider to be experts on this subject.
I am not saying it doesn't exist, but I (and many others) have looked at a lot of repo VIN tags, and some are easy to detect, others not quite so easy. But something always gives them away.
I have had many people confirm that their VIN tag was repo after I stated that I believed it to be.
I have had many people deny that their VIN tag was repo after I stated that I believed it to be, and even after I pointed out why I thought so.
I have yet to have someone tell me that their tag was repo after I stated that I believed it was original.
I do not consider myself an expert on this topic, but I have listened and learned from many who I do consider to be experts on this subject.
#24
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I have a C2 CA car that had a salvege vin welded to the frame.
Anyone could have changed that tag as it was done by the Highway Patrol with hardware store stamps.
Police here in CA are not allowed anymore to inspect vin #sn because they don't know where to look. CA DMV also was puzzeled when I explained where they were on the frame.
My car was out of the DMV system for over 7 years, the body was off the freme, and I paid a vin verification (state DMV approved) to come to the shop and inspect the #s.
I showed him the tag that I removed from the frame and a set of repo tags. All my paper work was in order, bill of sale, title with CA after the vin showing the car was written off by the insurance, and he said all was in order.
NOW I asked him if I could install the repo tags on the body and he said go for it!! He also told me to apply for a lost title and the new title would come back with the CA removed from the vin. He told me the car was restored well and in the interest of OUR hobby, the tags would be the icing on the cake.
I'm not hiding behind my repo vin tags and IF ever I sell the car the salvage bill of sale with the vin on it, the old title with the CA after the vin, all will be on the table.
If the car is proven legal, there is WAAAY to much value put on 2 small tags that don't make the car nicer looking or run better. I will say this again, "would we devalue a family member that lost their birth certificate"??
I get compliments on my car, not my tags.
Dom
Anyone could have changed that tag as it was done by the Highway Patrol with hardware store stamps.
Police here in CA are not allowed anymore to inspect vin #sn because they don't know where to look. CA DMV also was puzzeled when I explained where they were on the frame.
My car was out of the DMV system for over 7 years, the body was off the freme, and I paid a vin verification (state DMV approved) to come to the shop and inspect the #s.
I showed him the tag that I removed from the frame and a set of repo tags. All my paper work was in order, bill of sale, title with CA after the vin showing the car was written off by the insurance, and he said all was in order.
NOW I asked him if I could install the repo tags on the body and he said go for it!! He also told me to apply for a lost title and the new title would come back with the CA removed from the vin. He told me the car was restored well and in the interest of OUR hobby, the tags would be the icing on the cake.
I'm not hiding behind my repo vin tags and IF ever I sell the car the salvage bill of sale with the vin on it, the old title with the CA after the vin, all will be on the table.
If the car is proven legal, there is WAAAY to much value put on 2 small tags that don't make the car nicer looking or run better. I will say this again, "would we devalue a family member that lost their birth certificate"??
I get compliments on my car, not my tags.
Dom
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40ZR1 (03-09-2018)
#25
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I want to thank everyone for your response. I have contacted two vendors and will call others.
My VIN no. is 00867S101xxx, the complete VIN is embossed on the tag, right, not just the S101xxx as is on frame and block (I had never paid attention to the VIN tag before)
Both the VIN and the F1217CQ are the same font size on the block, is this correct?
I've had the car two years and because of a medical set-back, I am only now starting to be able to supervise (watch) as friends help.
Would someone post a pic of your VIN tag, with the last numbers covered, of course.
My VIN no. is 00867S101xxx, the complete VIN is embossed on the tag, right, not just the S101xxx as is on frame and block (I had never paid attention to the VIN tag before)
Both the VIN and the F1217CQ are the same font size on the block, is this correct?
I've had the car two years and because of a medical set-back, I am only now starting to be able to supervise (watch) as friends help.
Would someone post a pic of your VIN tag, with the last numbers covered, of course.
Here are a couple of stainless steel VIN tags for 1960. I am not attesting to the authenticity of any of these tags.
Last edited by emccomas; 03-09-2018 at 07:11 PM.
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40ZR1 (03-09-2018)
#26
Le Mans Master
https://www.ebay.com/itm/STAMPED-CHE....c100678.m3607
Here you go !
Here you go !
Last edited by bj1k; 03-09-2018 at 07:15 PM.
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40ZR1 (03-09-2018)
#27
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Early 1953 tags are stainless steel (up to about VIN 15 or so).
The rest of 1953 through early 1960 (tags in door jam area) are aluminum.
Tags mounted on steering columns are stainless steel.
It is real tough to spot weld aluminum to a steel steering column.
Last edited by emccomas; 03-09-2018 at 07:18 PM.
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40ZR1 (03-09-2018)
#28
Racer
Thread Starter
Thanks for the pics of the VIN tags, now I have something to compare to the repos. Some repos are hand stamped, not what I'm looking for.
#29
1) correct style data plate
2) find someone to do the correct size embossing in the correct location on the tag. Embossing on stainless steel is a little harder than aluminum.
3) Locate it in the correct location on steering column
4) find a really good spot welder and locate the spot welds in the correct location
2) find someone to do the correct size embossing in the correct location on the tag. Embossing on stainless steel is a little harder than aluminum.
3) Locate it in the correct location on steering column
4) find a really good spot welder and locate the spot welds in the correct location
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40ZR1 (03-10-2018)
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40ZR1 (03-10-2018)
#32
With proper documentation I don't believe its the greatest sin on earth. Certainly any car I have wouldn't be the million dollar example, closer to driver status, which fit more into the user hobby category. On old Corvettes, yes, the tag is scrutinized to level ten. No one would pay market prices if the identification was in question. Mine are all in place. I have viewed C-1s with steering column tags missing. Not unbelievable.
I have a similar problem. Years back I bought a 70 Pontiac tempest hardtop. Western rust free body, no drive train. Has the vin plate attached but paper title was lost. It should have a secondary VIN stamp at an undisclosed location. From what I understand some western states had " pink slips " rather than an official title as we know it today. These may have been easily lost, folded in wallets for that instant vehicle trade or many additional reasons. My jurisdiction would only consider a state assigned vin and replacement title. Not that a 70 Pontiac is a gold standard car but what is the big deal ? Inspect the car with no visual tampering on the vin plate, charge me for a stolen or prior owner search, and issue me a title marked replacement. A two thousand dollar car should not create a five thousand dollar headache by changing the manufactures ID to a state assigned number. Either way there is paper work for an original filing if it comes to that. I could see someone who really admired the rust free status probably a first high school driver buying the car, switching the vin from his rusted wrecked example and be perfectly undetectable.
Old expensive mopars have VIN tags with screws. Many keep their tags in a safe if they have rare options. How many of these have been switched to rust free examples ? Some are profit driven, others just seek an original car with proper vintage paper work. The experts will always know.
I have a similar problem. Years back I bought a 70 Pontiac tempest hardtop. Western rust free body, no drive train. Has the vin plate attached but paper title was lost. It should have a secondary VIN stamp at an undisclosed location. From what I understand some western states had " pink slips " rather than an official title as we know it today. These may have been easily lost, folded in wallets for that instant vehicle trade or many additional reasons. My jurisdiction would only consider a state assigned vin and replacement title. Not that a 70 Pontiac is a gold standard car but what is the big deal ? Inspect the car with no visual tampering on the vin plate, charge me for a stolen or prior owner search, and issue me a title marked replacement. A two thousand dollar car should not create a five thousand dollar headache by changing the manufactures ID to a state assigned number. Either way there is paper work for an original filing if it comes to that. I could see someone who really admired the rust free status probably a first high school driver buying the car, switching the vin from his rusted wrecked example and be perfectly undetectable.
Old expensive mopars have VIN tags with screws. Many keep their tags in a safe if they have rare options. How many of these have been switched to rust free examples ? Some are profit driven, others just seek an original car with proper vintage paper work. The experts will always know.
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40ZR1 (03-10-2018)
#34
Hope this helps . A detail to include when you order.
Last edited by jrs 427; 03-10-2018 at 12:11 PM. Reason: auto spell
#35
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I am still not sure what tag you have an issue with.
So let me start...look at the tag for 8754.
Look at the V and the O in Chevrolet.
Compare the V where the two legs come together. Notice how the other three tags have a wide, sort of filled in area, and 8754 is not that way.
Now look at the O. Notice that the O on tag 8754 is round, the other three tags have an oval shaped letter O.
Last, look at the position of the VIN numbers relative to the word Chevrolet.
So let me start...look at the tag for 8754.
Look at the V and the O in Chevrolet.
Compare the V where the two legs come together. Notice how the other three tags have a wide, sort of filled in area, and 8754 is not that way.
Now look at the O. Notice that the O on tag 8754 is round, the other three tags have an oval shaped letter O.
Last, look at the position of the VIN numbers relative to the word Chevrolet.
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#40
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I think that Chevrolet had more than one stamping machine and set of stamps over that time period (especially stamping harder stainless steel vs. the previous aluminum vin plates). Plus different stamping operators (not every operator is going to line up the lines perfectly).
I would expect "some" variation...
Plasticman
I would expect "some" variation...
Plasticman
Last edited by Plasticman; 03-10-2018 at 05:55 PM.
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