California Vin numbers
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 33
Likes: 4
From: England
California Vin numbers
Hi,
can anyone in the Californian 'Vette fraternity tell me if Californian registered 1979 C3 Corvettes have a standard Vehicle Identification Number mounted in the usual place on the drivers windscreen upright or was a requirement to have something different?
Thanks,
Trev
can anyone in the Californian 'Vette fraternity tell me if Californian registered 1979 C3 Corvettes have a standard Vehicle Identification Number mounted in the usual place on the drivers windscreen upright or was a requirement to have something different?
Thanks,
Trev
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 789
Likes: 129
From: Los Banos CA
Nothing different for California registered cars, so they all should have the vin plate as you describe. However, I can't say what California requires if they issue a new VIN, which could be required if a car was rebuilt and no longer had the original VIN plate. Are you questioning your VIN tag placement?
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,395
Likes: 8,202
From: Napa Valley California
If I remember correctly,
New vehicles produced from the mid 80's have a 17 digit VIN.
Older model years will have less than 17 digits in the VIN.
A 79 VIN should be either on the windshield frame or it could be on the top of the dashboard.
New vehicles produced from the mid 80's have a 17 digit VIN.
Older model years will have less than 17 digits in the VIN.
A 79 VIN should be either on the windshield frame or it could be on the top of the dashboard.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 33
Likes: 4
From: England
My suspicion is the car may have been rebuilt. Would a normal restoration in California lead to the issue of a new number? Both the VIN on the windscreen and the trim plate are missing but there is an 'official ' looking plate riveted on the drivers door shut right side with a CA prefix and 6 numbers. The underside shows no signs of rust or accident damage and for a 40 year old car seems A1 as is the rest of the car. I would expect any classic to have had restoration work along the way but how much in Califoriia to require an inspection and remembering? Insurance write off and total rebuild? A standard full 'nut and bolit' resto? Would the title papers flag anything up? Is the car worth substantially less even though its immaculate? Your opinion or someone who can tell me definitively appreciated.
thanks
thanks
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,663
Likes: 417
From: Central Texas
Good chance the car was stolen, VIN's removed [by thiefs?] and then when it was recovered, a new VIN was issued by the State.
I bought a motorcycle that had a State reissued VIN, was not a big deal to me.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 789
Likes: 129
From: Los Banos CA
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 789
Likes: 129
From: Los Banos CA
My suspicion is the car may have been rebuilt. Would a normal restoration in California lead to the issue of a new number? Both the VIN on the windscreen and the trim plate are missing but there is an 'official ' looking plate riveted on the drivers door shut right side with a CA prefix and 6 numbers. The underside shows no signs of rust or accident damage and for a 40 year old car seems A1 as is the rest of the car. I would expect any classic to have had restoration work along the way but how much in Califoriia to require an inspection and remembering? Insurance write off and total rebuild? A standard full 'nut and bolit' resto? Would the title papers flag anything up? Is the car worth substantially less even though its immaculate? Your opinion or someone who can tell me definitively appreciated.
thanks
thanks
A non-standard vin would probably lower the value some, but I really don't know how much...
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,395
Likes: 8,202
From: Napa Valley California
Are you looking to purchase this car?
If so, contact DMV and describe the plate to them with the numbers
If it is a legit plate with a state issued number series, they can tell you why it was issued to the vehicle and what the number series means.
A vehicle that was a total loss and salvaged, with the original VIN plates removed or destroyed would need to be State inspected and a new VIN would be assigned to that vehicle.
There could be a salvaged title assigned to the vehicle.
I would contact DMV and local law enforcement before I would even go for a test drive.
Either way, I would walk away from it as it could kill the value if you ever decide to sell it down the road.
If so, contact DMV and describe the plate to them with the numbers
If it is a legit plate with a state issued number series, they can tell you why it was issued to the vehicle and what the number series means.
A vehicle that was a total loss and salvaged, with the original VIN plates removed or destroyed would need to be State inspected and a new VIN would be assigned to that vehicle.
There could be a salvaged title assigned to the vehicle.
I would contact DMV and local law enforcement before I would even go for a test drive.
Either way, I would walk away from it as it could kill the value if you ever decide to sell it down the road.
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Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Indy Indiana
as I always say, just buy in at the right price. Don't pay a no excuses price for a car with an excuse. presume the value has already been killed.
you can run a nmvtis to get a title history.. usually under 10$
https://www.vehiclehistory.gov/
you can run a nmvtis to get a title history.. usually under 10$
https://www.vehiclehistory.gov/
Melting Slicks
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From: Chapel Hill NC
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In my opinion a non standard VIN deceases the valve. If you like the car buy it (after checking with DMV) with the understanding that the valve is diminished and this issue will even scare away some future buyers. Personally, there are too many other Corvettes for sale with no VIN issues.
Just another Corvette guy
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 8,518
Likes: 3,865
From: Palm Springs, CA.
Hi,
can anyone in the Californian 'Vette fraternity tell me if Californian registered 1979 C3 Corvettes have a standard Vehicle Identification Number mounted in the usual place on the drivers windscreen upright or was a requirement to have something different?
Thanks,
Trev
can anyone in the Californian 'Vette fraternity tell me if Californian registered 1979 C3 Corvettes have a standard Vehicle Identification Number mounted in the usual place on the drivers windscreen upright or was a requirement to have something different?
Thanks,
Trev
Last edited by Greg; Oct 29, 2019 at 01:31 AM.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 33
Likes: 4
From: England
Greg, just imported Into the UK and registered with the Driver And Vehicle Licencing Authority. Numbers tie with tags and US title.which Ive just seen a copy of, one owner issued 1985 which is annotated 'salvaged', so assume was done over 30 years ago and inspected by CA authorities.As I 've said. the car is immaculate........
Last edited by trevbeadle; Oct 29, 2019 at 03:49 PM.
Just another Corvette guy
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 8,518
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From: Palm Springs, CA.
I'd say no worries then Trev. Obviously it was cleared by customs and what ever motor vehicle department you have in GB. The car has some history that made it end up with a California issued VIN. I have come across this before here in California. Many times a nice Corvette of this era would be written off from a fairly minor traffic accident as too expensive to repair by the insurance company and a relatively low pay out could be made to the car owner. Then they are purchased from the salvage yard (often by a body shop) and repaired/re-titled. I'm always a big fan of saving any Corvette when possible. And don't forget, once these cars have been rebuilt here in CA. they have to be tested/inspected before they are issued a new VIN by the state. Sure, there might be some stigma attached to the VIN change for some people but that doesn't mean this is no longer a car worth owning. As long as the price reflects the title status, and a good job was done when repairing/restoring the car, I see nothing wrong with having a rebuilt titled Corvette.
Let us know which way you go and good luck!
Greg
Let us know which way you go and good luck!
Greg
Melting Slicks
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Greg, just imported Into the UK and registered with the Driver And Vehicle Licencing Authority. Numbers tie with tags and US title.which Ive just seen a copy of, one owner issued 1985 which is annotated 'salvaged', so assume was done over 30 years ago and inspected by CA authorities.As I 've said. the car is immaculate........
My California first registered 1971 LT-1 has the usual VIN tag location but it sounds like you've got to the bottom of it anyway!
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Stuart
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 33
Likes: 4
From: England
Ideally I'd like to call DMV CA and talk to see if they have any history but the DMV website is currently indicating a wait time of 81 minutes and I can't do that on an International call !! Unfortunately it seems they don't do emails!
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 789
Likes: 129
From: Los Banos CA
Was the car recently titled and registered in CA? I do know that once a vehicle reaches 10 years without being registered here, it drops out of the CA DMV system. I'm not sure how far back they keep records for cars that have been registered recently (but very doubtful that they would have anything from 1985!) P.S. Be prepared for 15-25 minute wait times.
Even with the time difference, you should be able to call the DMV during late afternoon to evening time in the UK - it looks like you're about 7 hours ahead of CA (but next week we change the clocks back one hour, so we'll be 8 hours different). The phone number for the state DMV office should be 916-657-6560. Hope this helps!
Last edited by bradleyb66; Oct 30, 2019 at 02:05 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 789
Likes: 129
From: Los Banos CA
OK, but in the US, we need to re-register with the DMV every year (some states every other year), so if it was driven on California roads in the last 10 years, the state should have a record of it. However, they might not have any information about why it was given a new VIN 35 years ago. Let us know if you find any additional info.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,395
Likes: 8,202
From: Napa Valley California
Depending on the date that the new VIN plate was attached, DMV may not have any history on the car.
After seven years of no registration or activity the computer will simply show "record not on file".
If you purchase the car you could look for the build sheet on top of the fuel tank or stuck up under the dash.
Those documents will have the original VIN.
You might want to try calling the California Highway Patrol main office in Sacramento and ask to talk with their stolen vehicle investigation division.
Any investigator could tell you where you might find the "hidden VIN plates", as most vehicles have them.
They might have additional information on the vehicle if it was stolen or at some point involved in a major collision.
As stated earlier, you can try calling Sacramento DMV in an attempt to get the information you desire.
Good luck
After seven years of no registration or activity the computer will simply show "record not on file".
If you purchase the car you could look for the build sheet on top of the fuel tank or stuck up under the dash.
Those documents will have the original VIN.
You might want to try calling the California Highway Patrol main office in Sacramento and ask to talk with their stolen vehicle investigation division.
Any investigator could tell you where you might find the "hidden VIN plates", as most vehicles have them.
They might have additional information on the vehicle if it was stolen or at some point involved in a major collision.
As stated earlier, you can try calling Sacramento DMV in an attempt to get the information you desire.
Good luck