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Hey, guys.
I have a question about the VIN.
If the VIN on the frame of the car is different from the VIN on the driver's pillar, should I suspect the car is stolen? I believe the VIN is correct for a 71.
Last edited by Yuichi Ishitomi; May 4, 2022 at 06:28 PM.
the frame can legally be changed. could it possibly be a stolen 71 with a 69 vin and trim tag? always possible. what vin is on the title? pics of your car?
They didnt make black cars in 1971, and with the mirror change its obvious the car has at least been painted.
The title will tell you a lot. It will suggest if the body or the frame is changed. It could be stolen or it could have been totaled. Or, the frame could have rusted out from under it. probably one of the 3.
Is the engine original? Theres a VIN stamped there, too.
if it is 71 frame, 71 body, 71 grilles and egg crates, 71 mirrors and a 69 vin number, i would feel a little uncomfortable. especially if either motor or trans number match the frame number/ do you own this car or considering it? start researching all the little differences between the 71 and 69. if you do not own this car, do not buy this car. if you already own this car, delete these 2 vin numbers until you know whether or not somebody stuck a 69 vin tag on a 71 and shipped it to japan. i am assuming your paperwork matches the vin under the windshield?
Hmmm?
There is much going on here Yuichi. Certainly enough to ask some serious questions.
The frame VIN of 1SXXXXXX shows an early February '71 build. Much too early to have the amber turn signal lenses up front, but they could have been changed. So with the fender flares, grills, turn signal lenses, egg crates ans front marker lights, outwardly the car looks more like a 1972 to me. Does the car have the fiber optics light indicators on the console and a pop out rear window? Either way it is definitely not a '69 body (share a picture of the rear side marker lights and exhaust cutouts to confirm this). Trim tag and VIN are correct for 1969.
So while the frame could have been changed for various and legitimate reasons and/or the body could have also been changed for various reasons, it is just too hard to explain why both would be changed yet still retain the 1969 VIN plate and trim tag.
Does the title match the VIN plate? As other have mentioned here check the engine and transmission stampings to see what info you can glean there.
If this car is already in Japan, I cannot believe it would get through customs with this many obvious issues.
I was involved with this car in a previous thread a while back. the emissions label on the firewall is missing ...blue label on drivers door jamb missing not original trans or engine no rosette rivets on vin plate i had him check the dates on the glass ( late 1970 dates) pulled up sill plates it was ontaio orange, told him where to look for the frame vin only way to find the real story is run both vin''s 1969 & 1971 Stolen 1971 car with 1969 trim tag and matching vin plate that is my opinion, Do you really think anyone in customs would know the difference from a 1969 body style and a 1971 body style ?
The winshield was replaced so they could change the vin tag
That is like someone presents a 1971 Chevrolet pickup truck with a 1969 vin plate on it to customs for export do you think the customs agent would know the difference ?
Built in Dec. '69 in Riverside Gold...
