A Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is a terrible thing to lose. We are all used to seeing it affixed to the front dash, but older cars have different identification schemes and are placed in various spots on our classics. Usually they were affixed to the driver’s lower door sill or on the “A” pillar.
Whenever possible, the VIN on a classic should be left unmolested. If it is ever removed from a car, technically, it is a federal crime to re-affix it or place it on another car. Most states also have similar laws prohibiting such actions.
So, what do you do if the VIN is missing or removed or no title is available? Most states allow you to have the vehicle inspected and once they are satisfied on the legitimacy of the car, they will issue a state vehicle identification tag. That car will then have a new VIN that will be used henceforth. Don’t be tempted to use a reproduction VIN tag that is offered for sale for “amusement/historical purposes” or buy somebody’s front firewall with attached VIN plate and think you can weld it in to a different vehicle.
The problem recent surfaced at the 39th annual Barrett-Jackson auction held in Scottsdale, AZ in 2010. Al Jardine from the famous singing group The Beach Boys, intended on selling a 1971 Plymouth Hemi ‘Cuda recreation. It clearly wasn’t originally a ‘Cuda and was very distinctly marketed as a “clone” or recreation of a ‘Cuda. But, imagine the shock when staff from Barrett-Jackson, while doing their normal preliminary inspection, found a perplexing situation. The seller’s title showed a state-issued VIN number, but the car sported a normal factory VIN plate. Steve Davis, the president of Barrett-Jackson, confirmed that these types of situation occur a few times each year and normally can be easily resolved. They encouraged the seller’s representative to take it to the local state Motor Vehicle Department for an inspection. But, the problem became more confounding when the car’s VIN was listed as stolen!
Swift follow up by the Scottsdale Police Department determined that the car was stolen in 1975 in St. Louis. The car was recovered on Sept. 2, 1975 but many pieces were then missing including the VIN plate. Since the VIN was still missing, the St. Louis Police Department never removed the VIN from the national listing of stolen cars. At some point this car was selected to be made into a clone of a Hemi ‘Cuda and made to Al Jardine’s specifications, complete with a 426 cubic inch engine and an automatic transmission, painted Plum Crazy. At some point a “historical” VIN became attached to the car, which was the same VIN considered still stolen by St. Louis police. Of course, Al Jardine had no idea that this VIN didn’t match to his title with a state issued VIN.
After this all was cleared up, the state of Arizona issued a bonded title and the car was allowed to be sold at the auction for $81,400.
Now, this episode helps point out two things to keep in mind when buying and selling cars. First, make sure all the numbers and descriptions match up. Clerks have been known to misplace numbers when typing documents up, and it is best to resolve these issues BEFORE the sale is consummated. As Davis noted, “You never can be too overly concerned about a VIN number.” Second, once a VIN is gone, don’t be tempted to undo this mistake. Even an innocent owner risks his car being impounded and possible criminal charges being filed.
When it comes to VIN’s, perhaps car restorers should leave well enough alone!