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Rotted VIN Tag Replacement

K

Kawickrice

Well-Known Member
My 71 has some rust rot on the VIN tag and i need to find a correct replacement. Car has been registered in my name for 27 years so DMV is a non issue.

I can not seem to find replacement vin tags for my car. The VIN is embossed rather than stamped so that creates its own problem.
I found a place in the UK that does the embossing but they use the Ford font instead of the GM font. You also have to provide them with the blank tag which i cant find anywhere.

A pic of my rotted VIN tag
20211128_132502.jpg
Anyone have any suggestions?
 
You are on shaky ground here. It is a Federal Law to alter a VIN Tag.

Personally, I would talk with your state DMV.
 
Like Jon said, it's unlawful to alter / remove the VIN tag.

I've heard a few people who removed the VIN to restore their car and they went through hell with the DMV and eventually had to get their cars thoroughly inspected and a new VIN assigned, just because they removed it and couldn't prove that VIN was for their car.
 
Most likely the DMV will assign a new VIN to the car but it won't be the same one and may not be an issue since you have owned it for many years.
 
I added a link of the very detailed discussion on both Trim & VIN Tags recently on TC (in response to the poster's post on TC). Welcome to this Forum btw!

John
 
Its not like i am trying to misrepresent my Chevelle with an LS5 tag, i just need a vin to replace what mother nature took. It is originally a 6 Cylinder base model and the new vin will reflect that.
The car has been in my name for almost 30 years, its not like i just bought it and need the vin verified.
The whole cowl is being replaced and if my vin tag was unmolested i would cut it out and weld to the new metal, unfortunately the tag is just to far gone.
 
I have some experience with this. As stated it is against Federal law to remove or deface a VIN on the car. The Feds don’t make any provision for reinstalling one or replacement VINs. That chore is left up to the states. Your state’s department of motor vehicles will prescribe what is to be done. Unfortunately it’s one of those things you have to follow the law or risk destroying the investment of your vehicle or create legal grief for yourself down the road.

In the state of Texas, a car without a VIN or tampered VIN must be inspected by the NATB to confirm it’s identity by the proposed preponderance of the parts. They could seize the car if the pedigree is undetermined. But if it passes, you take their report to local law enforcement who sign off on a form that you take to the DMV. They issue that vehicle a state issued VIN which is not the same as it’s born with ViN. They come back and attach the new VIn to the car, normally in the door jamb area.
 
I researched this a few years ago, it's not illegal to remove a vin for the purpose of restoration.

I'll see if I can find the info.

Of course, your Vin tag is in bad shape....
 
§511. Altering or removing motor vehicle identification numbers
1
(a) A person who—

(1) knowingly removes, obliterates, tampers with, or alters an identification number for a motor vehicle or motor vehicle part; or

(2) with intent to further the theft of a motor vehicle, knowingly removes, obliterates, tampers with, or alters a decal or device affixed to a motor vehicle pursuant to the Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Act, shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both.

(b)(1) Subsection (a) of this section does not apply to a removal, obliteration, tampering, or alteration by a person specified in paragraph (2) of this subsection (unless such person knows that the vehicle or part involved is stolen).
applicable State law with respect to such vehicle or part;

(B) a person who repairs such vehicle or part, if the removal, obliteration, tampering, or alteration is reasonably necessary for the repair;

(C) a person who restores or replaces an identification number for such vehicle or part in accordance with applicable State law; and

(D) a person who removes, obliterates, tampers with, or alters a decal or device affixed to a motor vehicle pursuant to the Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Act, if that person is the owner of the motor vehicle, or is authorized to remove, obliterate, tamper with or alter the decal or device by—

(i) the owner or his authorized agent;

(ii) applicable State or local law; or

(iii) regulations promulgated by the Attorney General to implement the Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Act.


(c) As used in this section, the term—

(1) “identification number” means a number or symbol that is inscribed or affixed for purposes of identification under chapter 301 and part C of subtitle VI of title 49;

(2) “motor vehicle” has the meaning given that term in section 32101 of title 49;

(3) “motor vehicle demolisher” means a person, including any motor vehicle dismantler or motor vehicle recycler, who is engaged in the business of reducing motor vehicles or motor vehicle parts to metallic scrap that is unsuitable for use as either a motor vehicle or a motor vehicle part;

(4) “motor vehicle scrap processor” means a person—

(A) who is engaged in the business of purchasing motor vehicles or motor vehicle parts for reduction to metallic scrap for recycling;

(B) who, from a fixed location, uses machinery to process metallic scrap into prepared grades; and

(C) whose principal product is metallic scrap for recycling;


but such term does not include any activity of any such person relating to the recycling of a motor vehicle or a motor vehicle part as a used motor vehicle or a used motor vehicle part.
 
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Basically, if you read (B) you can remove it to repair the part...

BUT


I am in no way a lawyer. I am not telling anyone to remove it.

If you chose to remove it, please understand the road you go down. People will question it etc.
If I had to do that to a car, it would be WELL DOCUMNETED, with both pictures and videos etc.

I would also gather other data to insure you have no issues.

Your Vin is damaged. That is a whole other ball game than taking it off to fix the dash.
I would ask a ton of questions before doing anything with yours to make sure you have the right path.
 
As long as you have clear title to the car and the hidden vins match and proof of the rusted tag, the tag man can make you a new one. blah blah the laws but if you dont tell on yourself nobody would ever know or even care
 
This is a Slippery Slope, do it legally and possibly get some Ugly plate riveted to the door jamb that looks like a Salvage VIN tag OR have one of those VIN plates that look correct put on the new replacement cowl, in Fl. motorcycles get stupid decals stuck to the frame neck, I have one somewhere that was peeling of my frame so I finished peeling it off so it wouldn't blow off going down the road and put it in my saddlebag, I'd still ask a reputable resto shop (or 3) what to do to make an informed decision before doing anything
 
There is no one I am aware of that can replicate an OEM VIN tag other than an OEM manufacturer which has a statute of limitations (current model year). I'd talk to the upper echelon at your states DMV and see what they say. If you can verify through old registrations and title, maybe they can install a new one with the correct 13 digit VIN.
 
I thought someone (or a few someones) were selling Blank VIN plates which I'm sure for illegal purposes on the internet? Maybe they got shut down? I just Goggled "Blank VIN plate" and a Lot popped up, CarId sells them so I guess selling the plates aren't illegal so why not use one?
 
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