Bingo.... like a '68-'74 Birdcage for a C3.... incl. VIN ....
is it legal ? Dunno..... is it legal to swap a '72 body onto a '77 frame ? Is it legal to replace the frame with a aftermarket tubular frame and still register the car that is pieced together from 9 different cars as a '73 only because the birdcage is from a '73 ???
I guess as long as you're not using stolen parts it's legal....:smash::smash:
To do it 100% legally you must have it inspected and show receipts, titles etc and they will decide what it is going to be and put a state vin on the car. Their decision , for unknown reasons do not usually benefit the owner in value.
Even though the earlier vins were just attached with screws, it is illegal fool with them in any manner, shape or form for any reason. Federal laws. You cannot have them or the rossette rivits in your possesion unattached.
The states are responsible for administering the laws and they all have special units for this. They have their own special state vin tags that are supposed to be used and installed only by the police. You can change all kinds of numbered body parts, just don't touch the vin legally.
Somewhere around 78, the american car makers started putting numbers on all kinds of body parts to aid in theft prevention.
They primarily target large used parts dealers and chop shops. It's a huge business. If someone targets your car for them, they will come to see you.
We all know that it is commonly done with older restorations, but it is still illegal so save all your records and parts sources.
BTW, these guys do this 8 hours a day, you could fool a NCRS judge long before these guys.
Years ago, I had the state police come by several times in surprise checks and go thru vins on vehicles to see if they matched up themselves and also to the paperwork.
They knew where to look and sometimes didn't have to eyeball the numbers, just sand the metal a little and use the black dust and tape and it came off just like a fingerprint.
