1970 Corvette vin tag replacement

warjunkee · 10-12-03, 01:05 AM

I have a 1970 T-top,that has a rusted metal windshield support,and has rusted my VIN tag,so that it's not totally legible anymore.My car is matching numbers, with the same VIN # on the frame, title and G.M.door sticker.Does anyone know where i can legally purchase a replacement,and what's involved.Thanks.

Tom73 · 10-12-03, 01:09 AM

The laws vary by state, so I would start with the State DMV to see how the state handles that.

tom...

warjunkee · 10-12-03, 10:53 AM

Thanks for your input. I'll look into that. Bob

ChuckG · 10-12-03, 01:06 PM

Be careful, or you'll end up losing your original VIN tag, and have it replaced with a state issued VIN, which in most peoples opinion will seriously devalue the car. I wouldn't call the DMV or the police until I had investigated all possibilities. Is the tag rusty, or just the WS post? Chuck

warjunkee · 10-12-03, 03:46 PM

Thanks for your input.The tag is rusted so bad that only a portion of each end at the rosette rivet is still in existance.The rest has turned to crusted rust,and is unsalvageable.It's strange that this has happened, because the unrestored car itself, is not in bad condition.

Tom73 · 10-12-03, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by c5d
To my knowledge, neither NCRS or Bloomington Gold make exceptions for replaced tags. It can/will cost you dearly if you have an otherwise matching numbers car.

Not necessarly. My NCRS Judging Guide says "Some states and provinces issue replacement VIN tags if the original is destroyed. No Corvette is to be judged without a valid VIN tag (factory or state) attached to the vehicle.

tom...

warjunkee · 10-12-03, 11:28 PM

My frame #'s match the G.M. sticker on the door,the engine,transmission and title,and the car looks untampered with.When i say the car isn't bad, i mean it's original,with wear and tear,ready for resto.I've read where there is two sets of VIN #'s stamped into the frame,but i only know of the ones behind the drivers side rear wheel.Are there others, and if so, where are they located ?

Tom73 · 10-13-03, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by c5d
Thanks Tom & since I'm not near my manual, what does it say if anything about point deduction for non-original/replacement VIN?

D

The Judging Guide does not give points, need the judging sheet for that which I don't have. But my understanding is that there is no deduction for a State issued VIN. They probably decided that is best, otherwise they would be "encouraging" their members to take part in illegal activities

tom...

Vettehead Mikey · 10-13-03, 12:59 AM

NCRS does not 'judge' VIN tags. It merely requires that a car has one, either state issued or the original, makes no difference.

No VIN tag at all means you don't get on the judging field.

warjunkee · 10-13-03, 10:30 AM

Thanks for all your input, but i think you've gotten away from my original question.I am a member of N.C.C.C. where most cars are driven (I.E.-shown,raced and rallied ),and nobody looks at your VIN tag,and everything is based on overall condition,cleanliness,and roadworthyness.I want to have a good VIN Tag for legal purposes and to proyect my investment.

67HEAVEN · 10-13-03, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by warjunkee
Thanks for all your input, but i think you've gotten away from my original question.

When you have a hammer, everything starts looking like a nail.

Keep "driving" it.

Vettehead Mikey · 10-14-03, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by warjunkee
Thanks for all your input, but i think you've gotten away from my original question.I am a member of N.C.C.C. where most cars are driven (I.E.-shown,raced and rallied ),and nobody looks at your VIN tag,and everything is based on overall condition,cleanliness,and roadworthyness.I want to have a good VIN Tag for legal purposes and to proyect my investment.

You're right, your thread got hijacked. As far as I know NO ONE legally makes replacement VIN tags. If the one you have is scrap, your only recourse is to see your DMV and find out what they can do to issue a state VIN.

Can't help you with the 'protecting your investment'. Some people believe that a car with a state VIN is worth less than an OEM, depends on the circumstances.

Good luck.

Vettehead Mikey · 10-14-03, 12:00 PM

Quote:

[i]Originally posted by c5d

NCRS Judging Sheet, Revised 2/2001, Operations, Page 1: Deduct 25 points per line item failure. A. Performed by Team Leader. VIN Plate authenticity & attachment

............

NCRS is a bit ambiguous (judging page emphasizes "operations", has check box for VIN tag, and says: "deduct for each "slash"), however the VIN/Trim tags are not an "operational" function.
[/b]

That's correct, however you are mixing 'judging' with 'verifying.' The NCRS process starts with ensuring that there is indeed a VIN of some sort on the car, and that it matches the registration papers produced during sign in. If there is something 'funny' then the process stops right there. This is the only step that can get a car booted off the judging field.

The VIN tag is not judged in the typical sense of making deductions for originality, completeness, configuration, condition etc, etc.

If this were not true, then how could a car with ONLY a State/Provincial VIN be judged? Quite often, the new VIN has a series of letters/numbers that are completely unrelated to the original VIN. This new VIN may also be a sticker applied to the windshield and not a metal plate held by rosette rivets.

Yes, the judging guides do describe what the OEM plate looks like, but that doesn't mean that it gets 'judged' in the normal sense.

Vettehead Mikey · 10-15-03, 10:19 AM

C5D You seem to enjoy being confrontational with posters here, both myself and others. Can't say that I find this a pleasant way of disussing things.

My judging experience with NCRS has taught me (amongst other things), to never sit with a book in my face, read it and start assuming that this was all there was to say on the subject.

I have approached (on your behalf) two chapter chairmen, one chief judge and one 200 level judge. That's 4 black hats, one being extra black. Their opinions were unanimous. There are NO deductions for a state issued VIN. PERIOD.

One of the above (a former GM employee and very well known personality in the hobby), further stated that replacement GM VINs were acceptable if accompanied by a letter from GM. However, the same person did point out that a deduction can theoretically be assessed against VIN tags for condition (not originality) which is contrary to what I thought. I have never seen any points knocked off a VIN plate as it's unlikely to be in a deteriorated state during flight judging.

Now that I'm smarter, the next time I'm judging and see a deteriorated plate, I'll gladly dock all the points I can and mention your name to the owner.

If the foregoing isn't enough for you, why not take it up with Roy Sinor. You can find his address in your copy of the Driveline.

Oh, and aplogies to warjunkee, I've hijacked his post again.

warjunkee · 10-15-03, 11:11 AM

To both of you, i appreciate your input,and have followed each of your write-ups.As i am not a member of N.C.R.S., i don't have to be concerned with their judging rules.My only reason for a new tag is legallity and value,as i plan to drive and have fun with this car,as it was mean't to be.Somehow,it seems kind of silly to have a really fun car like a Corvette, and spend my time worrying about correct nut ,bolts and screws.This is why 18 years ago i decided to join N.C.C.C., because we do a wide variety of activities, and everything is done with FUN in mind.