Vin Swapping
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 400
Likes: 1
From: California
Vin Swapping
THE RIGHT WAY.
i want to know if its possible to buy another vette with an older frame (pre-75) and dump my 79 body onto it so i can keep the look but be smog exempt. im in good ol' California.
would i have to switch the VIN plates on the dash since im using a pre-75 frame/engine/chassis? i would end up scrapping the 79 frame and possibly the vin. just wondering if im going to run into legal trouble with DMV. i plan on asking them how i would go about doing this so i dont get fined some ridiculous amount.
let me hear what you guys/gals think
i want to know if its possible to buy another vette with an older frame (pre-75) and dump my 79 body onto it so i can keep the look but be smog exempt. im in good ol' California. would i have to switch the VIN plates on the dash since im using a pre-75 frame/engine/chassis? i would end up scrapping the 79 frame and possibly the vin. just wondering if im going to run into legal trouble with DMV. i plan on asking them how i would go about doing this so i dont get fined some ridiculous amount.let me hear what you guys/gals think
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,139
Likes: 109
From: B'ham Alabama
The only correct way to handle this would be to take your pre-75 car and change out your rear clips, ending up with your 1979 rear end on the car. This would be the same as any other "mod" people may do to their classic cars. Change out the interior, trim, etc.
What I'm saying is to put a pre 75 and make it look like a 1979.
However, changing out the VIN is illegal, regardless of the situation.
What I'm saying is to put a pre 75 and make it look like a 1979.
However, changing out the VIN is illegal, regardless of the situation.
Last edited by Vet76te; Feb 8, 2008 at 08:44 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,740
Likes: 3
From: Aurora Ontario
Its a play on words. You have a 1975 that looks like a 1979. Thats it plain and simple.
Now if you ever choose to sell the car that would be a problem. People would ask questions. I would keep both ownerships and both VIN plates in case you ever wanted to switch back.
Jim
Now if you ever choose to sell the car that would be a problem. People would ask questions. I would keep both ownerships and both VIN plates in case you ever wanted to switch back.
Jim
THE RIGHT WAY. i want to know if its possible to buy another vette with an older frame (pre-75) and dump my 79 body onto it so i can keep the look but be smog exempt. im in good ol' California. would i have to switch the VIN plates on the dash since im using a pre-75 frame/engine/chassis? i would end up scrapping the 79 frame and possibly the vin. just wondering if im going to run into legal trouble with DMV. i plan on asking them how i would go about doing this so i dont get fined some ridiculous amount.
let me hear what you guys/gals think
i want to know if its possible to buy another vette with an older frame (pre-75) and dump my 79 body onto it so i can keep the look but be smog exempt. im in good ol' California. would i have to switch the VIN plates on the dash since im using a pre-75 frame/engine/chassis? i would end up scrapping the 79 frame and possibly the vin. just wondering if im going to run into legal trouble with DMV. i plan on asking them how i would go about doing this so i dont get fined some ridiculous amount.let me hear what you guys/gals think
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,991
Likes: 3
From: Piscataway NJ
Changing the frame would have nothing to do with your current 79 VIN It is what it is a 79. Knowing and willfully altering or changing a VIN # is a felony in all States.
Last edited by Artsvette73; Feb 8, 2008 at 09:21 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,381
Likes: 2,605
From: Burning Jet-A
Why go through the effort to lose money on the 79? If you have a car thats solid both mechanicly and paperwork wise, lets just leave it be for now.
A 75 car, complete, if a project is very cheap, about 2500-3500 dollars. Why not get a project and build up your dream vette from scratch? Nobody will check the frame anyway, and the body vin will stay original. A 74/75 project convertible is even more interesting, but costs about 10K.
However a 75 convertible with an LS2/sixspeed and modern suspension tricks in white w red interior...sounds awesome!
A 75 car, complete, if a project is very cheap, about 2500-3500 dollars. Why not get a project and build up your dream vette from scratch? Nobody will check the frame anyway, and the body vin will stay original. A 74/75 project convertible is even more interesting, but costs about 10K.
However a 75 convertible with an LS2/sixspeed and modern suspension tricks in white w red interior...sounds awesome!
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 191
Likes: 0
From: MN
changing out the vin # is as illegal as turning back odometer. Your vin is assigned to the body not the frame... Now if you could find a 75 or later body then your in luck and you can as a few post said earlier... put it on any frame you wish. The only way to get a vin # is in some cases were you were building a rat rod...model A, where it never had one to start with or was so old and ruined that you couldn't tell what the info on the tag said to start with... but you have to submit to the state for that and it's a pain. And since you don't have a 75 body... your pretty much SOL.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,112
Likes: 28
From: Florida
Have done plenty of these although not in California.
The vin numbers on both the body and frame are originally matched, and you are legally supposed to notify the DMV when changing either. With frame changes most people do nothing and the body Vin remains.
If done legally, the DMV will also use the body Vin, so there is no advantage to you.
If you want to be titled pre 75, get a pre 75 birdcage with the correct Vin plate already attached and title and put your rear clip on it.
The vin numbers on both the body and frame are originally matched, and you are legally supposed to notify the DMV when changing either. With frame changes most people do nothing and the body Vin remains.
If done legally, the DMV will also use the body Vin, so there is no advantage to you.
If you want to be titled pre 75, get a pre 75 birdcage with the correct Vin plate already attached and title and put your rear clip on it.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 4,971
Likes: 9
From: The reason time exists is so everything doesn't happen at once
I don't know if it makes a difference. It's my understanding (and someone correct me if I'm wrong) that the smog law applies to the NEWER of the body or motor. In other words if you dropped an LS1 into a chrome bumper shark the age of the motor would be fed into the snifter. If you put a L88 into a C5 the age of the body determines the level of pollutants allowed.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 16,100
Likes: 17
Racer
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 319
Likes: 3
From: santa clara ca
Can not be done legally. Their are hidden secondary vins on frames and other places that are used to ID stolen vehicles. The other thing is your plate and vin will be in DMV reg history. When go to title this vehicle at DMV they will look for a secondary vin or documentation. Then when the info does not match California finest CHP officer will tap you on the shoulder.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,246
Likes: 4
From: Bay Area CA
Yea, we grow attatched to these cars, I couldn't imagine parting with mine, just for smog. what you do inside the engine, as long as it looks stock on the outside, and what type of cat or cats you run, internaly, is really your business, as long as it can past the tests and looks stock, or has a CARB sticker. What you need is a muscle car smog guru, that can advise you on what to do. I would imagine that well over 300 hp can be achieved while still passing smog and looking stock is achievable. There is a tuner shop that does tuner days here in norcal. they post in the norcal forum, if your up here, i'm SURE socal has an even greater number. Yea, if you ever go to sell it, you could say, yea, it looks stock and passes smog, but it has 320hp, check out the dyno sheet! You need a smog guru, not a new frame. just my 2c.
Last edited by RunningMan373; Feb 9, 2008 at 05:31 AM.
