Advice please - fender tag or build sheet

[LeakyGasket]

I've found a 71 Cuda with a vin that matches the cowl and radiator support, has a rodent eaten build sheet, and no fender tag.  I have yet to see the build sheet but have been told most of the first 4 line items are readable, so it may be possible to reproduce the tag.  The car has no matching drivetrain, and I plan to stick a hemi in it.  It is a very clean Arizona car, with all original metal, and I have had it inspected to verify.  It has been professionally media blasted and is in primer.  Only a couple small rust holes are evident.

I am really "hung up" on having the fender tag, or one produced from a good enough build sheet.  I really want the history part of this car.

My question:  Would you purchase the car without a readible build sheet, or a fender tag? 

[ChallengerHK]

I would, but I have a different set of priorities. I make my cars what I want them to be. It sounds like you want to do more of a restoration, so that might be problematic.

Is the current owner scanning or photographing what's left of the buildsheet for you. If so, that should tell you whether you've got enough to go ahead.

[LeakyGasket]

Is the current owner scanning or photographing what's left of the buildsheet for you. If so, that should tell you whether you've got enough to go ahead.

Yes he is, but it has been almost two days.  Hopefully, I'll get it today.  And yes, I want more of a restoration, other than the engine.

[ChallengerHK]

Good luck with it. If you have trouble figuring anything out on it post it up here and I'm sure people will chime in. They'd probably like to see it anyway 

[triple_green]

IF it is a 318 car I wouldn't worry too much. Not having a fender tag or build sheet cost me a lot of money on my 69 Charger R/T SE.  I'm guessing at least 4-5K.

3X

[LeakyGasket]

IF it is a 318 car ---

It's a 383 car.

[LeakyGasket]

Here's the latest:  I just found out that the buildsheet is missing the last 4 numbers of the vin.  Summarizing:  The car vins all match, there is no fender tag, and the buildsheet is missing the last 4 numbers of the vin, but much of the other info is there.  I don't have the build sheet in front of me yet, but will post when it shows up today.

Can the fender tag be reproduced?

[MoparMan440]

Here's the latest:  I just found out that the buildsheet is missing the last 4 numbers of the vin.  Summarizing:  The car vins all match, there is no fender tag, and the buildsheet is missing the last 4 numbers of the vin, but much of the other info is there.  I don't have the build sheet in front of me yet, but will post when it shows up today.

Can the fender tag be reproduced?

Yes, companies like Data tags is doing them and one other. Hopefully there's enough of that broadcast sheet left to make it useable.

[Alaskan_TA]

If the last digits of the VIN are missing on the broadcast sheet, there is no way to know it actually matches THAT car though.

Has he looked everywhere for a possible second (or third) sheet in better shape? 

[CudaEd]

If the build sheet has an unreadable vin I would consider it the same as not having a build sheet. I know that you are confident that it was found in that car, but as time passes by the story will be harder to believe. What we have then is a car that the only thing you can certify it came with from the factory are the engine and the vehicle's price class. I am not sure that any company will reproduce a fender tag without a readable build sheet or an actual fender tag in any kind of shape. If originality is of any concern I would look somewhere else, if not, go ahead and stick the hemi in. In any event, all Mopars need to be saved... 

[ChallengerHK]

 

[LeakyGasket]

Final result --- the pieces of build sheet didn't match the color, motor size, and month built.  The way I found out was to call Galen G., and actually talked to the man.  He reviewed the sheet, VIN, and his records for build sequence, and said the car in no way matched the paper.  Said he would not reproduce the fender tag. 

The car is on ebay.  It is a very nice body, I believe, and if you are not interested in getting a REAL fender tag, have at it.  I am $300 poorer due to my mistakes and questionable discussions, but glad I am far, far from this sale.  The $75 I spent with Galen G. was well worth my future frustration and pain of not having a car that I can at least know it's build history, even though I would change the drivetrain.

[The Cuda Guy]

You did the right thing and saved your self thousands bro.

Don

[ChallengerHK]

 

[Moparal]

Barry is a master at putting  rodent chewed build sheets back together. If you have any type of tiny pieces, I'd save them. Maybe let him do his magic puzzle act for you


Barry , do you still have that picture of the build sheet pieces you were doing?