VIN tag repacement

[69MnyPit]

Anyone know how to get a legal replacement VIN tag? Mine was removed by the PO for some reason. I found a company on the east coast that'll do it for $175 once I get a state trooper to confirm it isn't stolen and whatnot. Makes sense, but I'm in Texas. Having a VIN tag would definately increase the value, huh?

 

[6880 Mike]

You might want to go slowly here. First question is why a PO removed the VIN plate. It might be helpful to know why he/she felt it was necessary. Theft recovery comes to mind.

Next concern involves law enforcement officials. If you call one in to check the car and the VIN shows up as stolen, you've put yourself in a place you don't want to be.

What type of VIN is on the car now? State issued?

 

[milo30]

There are other vin tags hidden on the vehicle. If you get a trooper he'll know exactly where to look and can give you the number off of it. If you have a problem getting a trooper to find one for you, get hold of one on the auto theft task force (call local sherif office for number in your county) and they know exactly where to find them and will trace you a copy of it.

 

[milo30]

You might want to go slowly here. First question is why a PO removed the VIN plate. It might be helpful to know why he/she felt it was necessary. Theft recovery comes to mind.

Next concern involves law enforcement officials. If you call one in to check the car and the VIN shows up as stolen, you've put yourself in a place you don't want to be.

What type of VIN is on the car now? State issued?

I had similar situation in texas. Texas law says that the frame is what is registered. If it is stolen, you are better off going and asking law enforcement for help. Worst case you lose the car but don't get into trouble. You have them stop you and see no vin tag they look for the others and then if found stolen you lose car and go to jail.

I had a jeep with a body change. One vin on body and another on the frame. The frame vin was the one that is registered. It is a little bit of a pain but you can get it taken care of.

As far as replacing the vin tag. From a law enforcement view of it be careful. Unless you are able to get a tag that looks 100% original AND MOUNTED AS ORIGINAL TAGS, don't do it. You may end up with your car in pieces while they look it over to check for stolen and they don't put it back together for you!

 

[minifridge1138]

Personally, the first thing I would do is find the VIN on the frame myself. Make sure that matches whatever VIN you think you have.

Then, if that matches what you expect, I'd run it by the police to make sure it isn't stolen.

After that checks out, see about getting a replacement VIN tag.

I have to agree that it would be better to contact the police yourself. Better to loose the car than loose the car AND be arrested for theft/possession of stolen property.

 

[jrzvette]

From a law enforcement view of it be careful. Unless you are able to get a tag that looks 100% original AND MOUNTED AS ORIGINAL TAGS, don't do it. You may end up with your car in pieces while they look it over to check for stolen and they don't put it back together for you!

And by "mounted as original tags" he means with rose rivets, which are not legally obtainable:

http://www.nofearmotorsports.com/index.cfm?action=get_page&id=42

 

[69MnyPit]

You might want to go slowly here. First question is why a PO removed the VIN plate. It might be helpful to know why he/she felt it was necessary. Theft recovery comes to mind.

Next concern involves law enforcement officials. If you call one in to check the car and the VIN shows up as stolen, you've put yourself in a place you don't want to be.

What type of VIN is on the car now? State issued?

By the way, yes, it has been stolen and recovered in California. It has a California replacement VIN sticker of the original VIN number with another number probably used to verify. Thanks for the concern, Gary

 

[69MnyPit]

You might want to go slowly here. First question is why a PO removed the VIN plate. It might be helpful to know why he/she felt it was necessary. Theft recovery comes to mind.

Next concern involves law enforcement officials. If you call one in to check the car and the VIN shows up as stolen, you've put yourself in a place you don't want to be.

What type of VIN is on the car now? State issued?

Yes it has a clear Texas title...

 

[milo30]

I tried to do a search of Texas Law for you but didn't find the info I was looking for. Go to a trooper they know it forwards and backwards and find out where to find it. It's been awhile since I have used it.

Can you get one and get it mounted properly....probably so. Can you do it legally, I don't think you can unless maybe it was performed by the maker of the auto. You are probably better off with it the way it is even if it hurts the value somewhat. You'd have to read the statute fully but from my recollection, I think it would still fall under the category as tampering with a VIN and therefore be illegal both while you own the car and later if you ever sold the car and it came back on you.

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

To answer one of your other questions, having an original style VIN tag at this point in this car's history will not restore any perceived loss of value.

Leave it alone IMHO.

 

[red70vette]

If it has a California replacement VIN sticker leave it alone. That sticker is the equivilent of the factory vin sticker. If you mess with it it is a felony in many states. The increase in value that you may get by replacing it with a reproduction could be lost if it is recognized as not original by the police. Also a future owner may have recourse against you for misrepresentation if they run into trouble in their home state.

 

[gmjunkie]

If it has a California replacement VIN sticker leave it alone. That sticker is the equivilent of the factory vin sticker. If you mess with it it is a felony in many states. The increase in value that you may get by replacing it with a reproduction could be lost if it is recognized as not original by the police. Also a future owner may have recourse against you for misrepresentation if they run into trouble in their home state.

Hell,It's a felony Federally!!!! They Pump sunshine to you for that!!!To my knowledge there is no law against replacing a tag with a reproduction if it is missing,But by No Means would I remove that California Tag!!!

 

[6880 Mike]

...There are other vin tags hidden on the vehicle...

Nope. There is only one VIN plate and it's on the driver's windshield post. If that's gone, it's gone.

The original engine and transmission had VIN derivatives stamped on them. AIM shows the location of these stampings. The original frame has a VIN derivative stamped on it in two places. First is on the top of the frame rail driver's side, about where your hips are located when sitting in the car. This stamp is not visible with the body on the car. Second stamp is on the top of the frame rail near the #4 body mount on the driver's side as shown below. You can sometimes see this number once the road gook is cleaned off the frame rail.

Example above is the most visible frame stamp I've ever seen with the body on. White paint in this one.

Personally, I'd stick with the theft recovery VIN assigned by the California folks.

 

[ZACK]

vin tags

Anyone know how to get a legal replacement VIN tag? Mine was removed by the PO for some reason. I found a company on the east coast that'll do it for $175 once I get a state trooper to confirm it isn't stolen and whatnot. Makes sense, but I'm in Texas. Having a VIN tag would definately increase the value, huh?

do you have an email address i can contact you at ? you can reach me at juvenilesrodeo@aol.com i have a question for you. thanks

 

[earl38]

Where is the place you know about that will send you a new VIN plate for $175? I have the original VIN plate, but it is severely rusted and would look like crap after the car was restored. I want to replace it with a new one with the same numbers.