Missing VIN 1974 Coupe
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 3,181
Likes: 732
From: Texas City, TX Texas
Missing VIN 1974 Coupe
I just got a '74 T Top shipped to me here in Texas from California, was an ordeal getting it delivered. There is a spot on the driver's side windshield post for a VIN plate, but no plate there. Are there any other spots where the VIN would be marked? Engione has been modified and may not be original block. Thanks in advance for any help.
Last edited by Richard Daugird; Jan 25, 2016 at 02:14 PM.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 572
Likes: 61
Not 100% sure but I think it may be illegal to transfer ownership of a car without a valid VIN plate. I would call your state RMV and investigate it. There are numbers stamped on the top of the frame although I am not sure if they are a full VIN or just the last several digits of it. You can cross check the engine numbers with the title to see if the sequence number matches although as you said it may not be the original block.
Last edited by teamo; Jan 25, 2016 at 02:20 PM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 3,181
Likes: 732
From: Texas City, TX Texas
I don't want to start asking questions until I can find a VIN and make sure it matches my title. Not so much concerned(yet) about the missing plate, just want to confirm the VIN before I procede further.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 5,738
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From: Lincoln, CA
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,812
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From: eastern NC
This is a small block from a 1963...
and a 1967 big block...
Good luck... GUSTO
Pro
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 572
Likes: 61
Here is a link to an earlier post with some pictures of the frame number locations.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-frame-id.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-frame-id.html
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 823
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From: Austin TX
Good luck with this, hope you don't end up with a parts car.
Last edited by 454Luvr; Jan 26, 2016 at 09:38 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
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From: Crossville TN
If you have a title with VIN listed on it, you can use it to obtain a new title in your state. I've never had a BMV request to see the car whenever I transferred a title.
Now, the fact that there is no VIN on the windshield post IS a big concern. That should have been divulged to you before you took possession. But sellers who sell across state lines are somewhat protected, as YOUR state would have to prosecute them. Basically, once you have taken possession of a car in this condition, it's yours to deal with.
Hopefully, it does have a state-added VIN in the door jamb.
Now, the fact that there is no VIN on the windshield post IS a big concern. That should have been divulged to you before you took possession. But sellers who sell across state lines are somewhat protected, as YOUR state would have to prosecute them. Basically, once you have taken possession of a car in this condition, it's yours to deal with.
Hopefully, it does have a state-added VIN in the door jamb.
Last edited by 7T1vette; Jan 26, 2016 at 10:32 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,222
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From: shelbyville West Michigan
you do realize if you ever get pulled over, and the LEO checks your VIN, for ANY reason, and find it missing, with no way to match the vehicle to the title/plates/registration, your vehicle will be impounded and presumed stolen. this happens ALL the time with motorcycles, and I have an acquaintance who had a vehicle impounded this way because the VIN had been altered and original had been reported stolen from a dealer back in the early 70's...this was 40 years later but they still had the records in the system...insurance company scams happen all the time and they keep very good records...just sayin'...
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 3,181
Likes: 732
From: Texas City, TX Texas
They used the California title to get the VIN. I guess I'm going to need to get one of my P.D. friends to look at the car so I can get another VIN plate. What a pain in the ***. I can't even see holes where the rivets should have been.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 823
Likes: 57
From: Austin TX
Well, waddya know, I just looked this up and the VI-30 is nowhere to be found. What I did find is a statement that "The VI-30 will be eliminated by March 1, 2016."
http://txdmv.blogs.govdelivery.com/v...certification/
Good timing on your part! So, are you going to leave it registered as a limited-use antique (no inspection required)? If you change the registration to a standard vehicle, you'll need to have it inspected. The inspector will look for the VIN plate when that happens. Again, did you know about this before you paid for the vehicle? Did the previous owner give you an explanation regarding the missing plate? If you can't confirm that the VIN on the title is the actual VIN of the car, there will always be the possibility that it's stolen and could be repossessed by the legitimate owner. That's the risk of buying a car in this condition.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 3,181
Likes: 732
From: Texas City, TX Texas
Yes I have a '65 Riviera with antique plate and I have never been hassled about the it, even when I was very very foolish and raced someone one night.