VIN question
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Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Cheshire CT
VIN question
Is it possible to have the original VIN restored to a vehicle? I have a 73 with a New York issued VIN. I was told that the vehicle had been stolen and the VIN was stolen off the window pillar in the process. I have confirmed that the stampings on the engine and transmission match the stamping on the frame which also matches the numbers on the original VIN. So I am pretty certain it is a numbers matching 454 convertible. I seem to remember a post quite a while ago from someone who had the original VIN restored but I can't find the post when I search for it. I figured I would post the question and hope someone had some advice before I attempt to get answers from CT DMV 
Thanks,
Tony
Thanks,
Tony
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,897
Likes: 227
From: Oakbank Manitoba
Yes....it happened to me in 1985. This was done through the local police department in my home town in Canada. I purchased the car in 1983, then in 1985 I discovered that it was a stolen Corvette due to the fact the vin tag was easily removed (slotted) and didn't match the serial numbers on the block. The police department used the numbers off the block to get the real vin numbers and discovered where and when the car was stolen. The vin number that was on the car was from a wrecked Corvette that was sold at auction. The police contacted GM and believe it or not.......GM made up a new vin tag making the car all original again. I took the car to one of the local Auto glass installers and they removed the windshield. The police officer was there to install the new Vin tag with new "rosette" rivets and the window was reinstalled. I still have the polaroid picture of him installing the new vin tag.
I later requested the GM Corvette restoration package from GM which shows where the car was imported to and what dealer it was sold to. In addition it shows all the options on the car and even the key cut codes. It all helped to verify the originality of the car.
I later requested the GM Corvette restoration package from GM which shows where the car was imported to and what dealer it was sold to. In addition it shows all the options on the car and even the key cut codes. It all helped to verify the originality of the car.
Last edited by KENS80V; Jun 8, 2008 at 12:26 PM.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 54
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From: Cheshire CT
Yes....it happened to me in 1985. This was done through the local police department in my home town in Canada. I purchased the car in 1983, then in 1985 I discovered that it was a stolen Corvette due to the fact the vin tag was easily removed (slotted) and didn't match the serial numbers on the block. The police department used the numbers off the block to get the real vin numbers and discovered where and when the car was stolen. The vin number that was on the car was from a wrecked Corvette that was sold at auction. The police contacted GM and believe it or not.......GM made up a new vin tag making the car all original again. I took the car to one of the local Auto glass installers and they removed the windshield. The police officer was there to install the new Vin tag with new "rosette" rivets and the window was reinstalled. I still have the polaroid picture of him installing the new vin tag.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Carbondale Pa.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Cheshire CT
try and find a car buff at the office and go from there
You are right about this. When I first had the car registered in CT the DMV guy I delt with was a car buff and I was treated very different then the person in front of me and behind me. Maybe I will try and track that guy down. Thanks for the advice.
You are right about this. When I first had the car registered in CT the DMV guy I delt with was a car buff and I was treated very different then the person in front of me and behind me. Maybe I will try and track that guy down. Thanks for the advice.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,897
Likes: 227
From: Oakbank Manitoba
I would try the local or state police first. Gather all your info in an easy to understand fashion and request an appointment with an officer from the "Auto theft unit". They may have done this before and will have more knowledge than the DMV.
Keep in mind that my car at the time was only 5 yrs old. I'm sure this will be much more difficult at this stage due to the years that have passed and the fact the records are long gone now. Requesting the GM Corvette Restoration Package will help you out if you don't already have it.
Keep in mind that my car at the time was only 5 yrs old. I'm sure this will be much more difficult at this stage due to the years that have passed and the fact the records are long gone now. Requesting the GM Corvette Restoration Package will help you out if you don't already have it.
Last edited by KENS80V; Jun 8, 2008 at 01:00 PM.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Cheshire CT
I would try the local or state police first. Gather all your info in an easy to understand fashion and request an appointment with an officer from the "Auto theft unit". They may have done this before and will have more knowledge than the DMV.
Keep in mind that my car at the time was only 5 yrs old. I'm sure this will be much more difficult at this stage due to the years that have passed and the fact the records are long gone now. Requesting the GM Corvette Restoration Package will help you out if you don't already have it.
Keep in mind that my car at the time was only 5 yrs old. I'm sure this will be much more difficult at this stage due to the years that have passed and the fact the records are long gone now. Requesting the GM Corvette Restoration Package will help you out if you don't already have it.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,897
Likes: 227
From: Oakbank Manitoba
"GM restoration Package" phone number for US residents......800-222-1020. Have your VIN number handy as they will ask for it. This service is free but for us in Canada there is about a $50 fee. The number in Canada is 800-263-3777.
Last edited by KENS80V; Jun 8, 2008 at 01:24 PM. Reason: update