After researching the Z and evaluating it and the owner, I bought it. In further evaluation in my garage, two weeks later, I notice something that makes me feel a little suspicious. The Vin number stamped on the passenger side frame rail is the correct vin number matching the one below the windshield and on all paperwork. Even Carfax and Auto Check web sight checked the car out to be good. Howeve,r there is this strange previously stamped vin number right about the correct number on the frame rail. It is X'ed out as if the factory made a mistake. I have crawled under the car, inspected all frame welds, looked closely in the engine compartment for any signs of front end repair. Everything looks clean and untouched. What's everyones opinion.

 

I've seen this before on Porsches, factory re-vin'd a frame or tub usually to a newer year. Not sure what it means on a GM product. There are various vin tags on other body parts...do these check out?

 

Ya know.....I have not researched where the other vins are located. I know the motor has one by the oil filter, and of course the one at the base of the windshield. Could you let me know other locations. Thanks...

 

I have seen frame on the assembly line at Bowling Green that get pulled off the line because of a problem with another part. I don't know if they re-vin these (assuming that they already have a vin as part of the assembly sequence)

Check all of the other vins. The ones on the frame can be hard to spot. If you look down in front of the air filter you will see one on the frame.

 

Thanks Coupe, thats' the one I photoed above. Passenger side front by the right below the right light.

 

If they do it anything like we do here at BMW, then EVERYTHING on the assembly line is sequenced. I'm a little confused at why they would give the frame a new VIN though...I've never seen that done

 

FYI...all Vin numbers match elsewhere on the car, Motor, trans, rear end, Glove box, drivers door, all the way back to the original sales invoice and window sticker.

 

It's possible that when the frame was made and stamped they had a mechanical issue come up and stop the process. When they started the process back up YOUR frame came into the stamping/etching machine and for some reason got the same VIN as the frame before it...thus they had to X it out and redo it. I work in maintenance and this is definitely possible...

Probably 1000 possible explanations

 

Bump!!. Sent an email to a club out of Bowling Green. The president of that club might have some ideas on my question....

 

Ok....the first of a possible answer for my frame rail vin question. I said in an above string, that I was in contact with a club out of Bowling Green. To be exact it's the "Bowling Green Assembly Corvette Club". The club members worked on the assembly line from various periods of models. So far the president has sent out some emails regarding my question. Here is the latest email to me from Charles D. Chrisley. I am in hopes of several other emails to validate the stamping question: From Dave........

My first thought is, right around 2003, I was the Safety Trainer at the plant and associate Safety Rep. We were locating and installing a new Vin Machine into the trim department that put the vin on the rails early in the build process. There was some serious problems with the noise, and with the tuning of the machine as well as movement in the location of the machine, my guess is that there was a minor sequense issue, thus the changing of the Vin to match. I will let you know what my contacts say probably later today. end of email.

I will repost any other responses as they come in in case you might be interested.
Dave Bunker

 

I wanted to put this question to bed with a final answer. An answer that should interest those of you following this string. The president of the Assembly line club in Bowling Green emailed me back with this:

Dear Dave:
The Xing out of the Vin on the frame is standard procedure if there is any sequence or equipment problem. As long as the Vin matches on the dash and the engine matches, everything is good. No repair shops really have the ability to duplicate our stamping procedure and this comes from Head of Quality. I hope this puts your mind at ease, noe Drive It Like You Stole It! :-) We would love to have you as a club member, you can access a application at www.bgacorvetteclub.com Take Care and be Safe.