You're in California, car over 25 years old is not difficult, you fill out the Application for Titling/Registration. Then you request a new certificate of title so that you can remove the salvage certificate and they'll give you a new title for your car. The new title will acknowledge the salvage title history but show that the vehicle has been rebuilt. Some cars require an inspection most pre 75 cars they don't bother.

 

They may remove the word “salvage” on the title but do they let you make up your own vin numbers? That’s the issue. Not the word “salvage” but the actual vin number. The vin number was changed by some state to a non standard number that does not correspond to a Corvette vin. The old vin plate was likely removed and replaced by the State. I do not believe any DMV will issue a new title with a number that a owner requests for his car under any circumstance. If that was the case, I could order a new title with a vin number of someone else’s car.

That will impact the value as the car can no longer ever be “matching Numbers” even if it has the original engine. DMV will not or any title company will not care about what the original vin was because it will not be verifiable. It was reassigned. I believe what the car currently has as a number is the only number they will care about. They will not rely on an engine pad, even they know of the possible restamping or changing of parts. That’s what the vin is for. That’s the car. That’s why they are not legal to be removed without being expressly permitted.

And who really wants to go through that? That’s the reason for the potential lower values.

 

California DMV will have an inspector verify the VIN on the vehicle and verify the VIN history from the state where the VIN was assigned.
DMV inspectors should be able to locate the hidden VIN on the vehicle if it is still stamped on the frame.
If the “paper work” is all in order the California DMV may assign the new VIN or the original VIN if it can be located.
For vehicle registration, it’s all about the paperwork and vehicle history that matters.
Whether or not the title states it is salvaged, or a specialized vehicle or just the year make and model would be up to DMV.

 

Good point!

If you use an inspection mirror you may be able to see the frame VIN.