So it looks like someone created a replacement vin tag at some point in the car's life. It is likely the same vin the car was born with (since the number is on the frame). But why on earth did bubba forget the leading "1" on the vin??

 

I'm thinking that the frame is where he got the number.

 

I wonder if the seller is watching this thread..

 

I am interested as to why you guys are saying the vin plate is bad (specifically) I have received 3 emails of gracious forum members that have shown a detailed picture of their vin plates and other than missing the 1 at the lead they all look like mine. Here is a pic from a post of a guy doing a resto of a 72. His rivets are bright, there is a raise to the plate and our numbers are the same font. You guys tell me? Why do you think it is not an original gm plate?
The more I look at the examples the more I think my plate is authentic.

BTW The missing 1 at the front is the GM division code. 1 for Chevrolet.

 

Why is it not like the example above?

 

Many of the corvettes I have restored have paint scraped off by the vin tag after a glass installer scrapped down the pinchweld to apply sealer for the new windshield. As to the bow in the tag. I checked all of my other late models and they all have the raised tag. See the example above from another forum member.

 

In the two examples above, the initial 1 is no different in depth, size, spacing or font than any other character. Yours is not faint or crooked- it's just plain not there.

I've seen VIN tags where mistakes were made showing a coupe instead of convertible or vice versa but never seen a genuine one where the total number of characters was incorrect.

There are people out there who do make replacement VIN tags and the rosette rivets are easy enough to come by.

The difficulty you have is the reverse of what most people run into. Commonly the registration paperwork is incorrect and does not match the car due to clerical error. I find it difficult to understand how a car could survive for 37 years with a non-standard VIN tag and have paperwork that is correct.

 

Speaking for myself only, I have no clue what an authentic factory 72 vin tag is supposed to look like, so my comments are pure ignorant speculation. Keep doing your research. If I were researching this issue I would post over on the NCRS.org forum, to get a few additional expert eyes to take a look at the pics. (Some of the same experts are here, but many others are not <= meaning many experts are not here... and also perhaps many here are not experts) What you want are folks who have looked at many many such vins and can say with authority, either "never seen one like that before" or maybe, "seen one once before where they forgot that number 1"

 

The Investigative Officer showed me documentation on a GM tag that had 1 extra digit in it. Showed up after 20 years when an insurance agent caught it during a claim.

How many times have a DOT official looked at the physical vin on the car when transferring a title to your state?
I have bought older cars from 4 states and never had an issue, never had to verify a vin.
Mine would not have been any problem at all and would have continued with vin # mistake if I had a title. Alabama does not issue a title on a car older than 1975 it just issues a registration. Our state requires physical vin verification if it does not have a title. I can get a bonded title and may have to.

 

All I can do is wish you luck. This is an uphill climb that I would not want to undertake. Remember also that the issue may come up again when you attempt to sell the car.

 

It really doesn't matter how many "experts" look at it and what their concenus is other than just for fun.

All the State of Iowa cares about is that it is incorrect, both in format and with the title and they won't just let it go.
Hopefully what the trooper said about having GM come out before and replace the tag is true, but I doubt that would happen with an old car. The trooper was also wrong about the font.

Best case, GM really pulls thru, worst case, you get a state vin as long as the vin doesn't come up as stolen. You can bet the trooper is checking that.

I find it equally difficult to believe that someone who could do this good a job with a fake plate, would be dumb enough to leave the 1 off.
Depending on the original dealer, it could have been a lot boy that checked the vin when doing the paperwork for the first title and every change since then, may well have just had the last few numbers checked. It wasn't until recently, that the tag offices physically go out and check the numbers on the car and then ususally only if it is from out of state. The last vette I bought a year or so ago, I just went in with the old title, filled out the forms and done.
The bonded title would be the best option if the original vin plate can be left alone and of course any supporting papers from the troopers office.

Despite it having a different nose, it was probably a mistake from GM.
Hope it works out well for you.

BTW, did the trooper lift the numbers from the frame with a fingerprint kit?

 

I have received almost 15 vin plate pics from members and have put those side by side in a jpg image to show the trooper. I believe , based on the other vin pics, that this is a mis stamped vin from gm. I'm with you, if the plate was bogus I don't believe anyone trying to fake the vin would have left the 1 off. If I have to get a state vin I will live with it. All I wanted was a nice convertible c3 driver. I also own a 69 coupe and a 66 vert. I was just missing the 68 vert I had recently sold and thought this might be a fun driver. On your fingerprint kit question, he actually scraped the frame down by the #4 rear mount and with a mirror could validate the number.He used pb blaster and a putty knife to scrape it down and the numbers came right up!

On a side note the #3 and #4 bolts look like they have never been touched on the car. If their was major front end damage and the front frame and clip were to be replaced you would not need a new vin plate for a body (that we have already verified should be on this frame) that was not removed from it's original frame. I am just guessing here. The trooper in charge of the investigation is on vacation till the 11th of August. I will update on the issue when I get an answer.
Dave

 

 

Just a follow-up thought.... If the VIN which will be removed can't be mistaken for a 'legitimate' VIN {no "1" at the start of it}, I can't see why the inspector would not let you keep it. It surely couldn't be used to "fool" anyone else....even if it is really from the factory. Having that in your possession would be a tremendous assest to support your car's history.

 

I am hoping that is an option.
Dave

 

Final report from GM says any car over 10 years old they do not do any vin investigations. I will have to get a state replacement vin. Guess this car will be with me a long time. I will bring it back to life and live with it.
Hopefully an affidavit from the State Patrol will suffice for an explanation of the replacement.
Dave