'70 Cuda for sale--How legit is this?

[FY1Cuda]

There's a consignment dealer in our area who always has some really nice cars.  They have a '70 Cuda coupe for sale that is not exactly correct. Despite their ad that boasts "all correct markings", it has "Barracuda" script behind the front wheel wells, no bright aluminum belt molding under the windows, and the cowl stamping doesn't match the dash VIN or fender tag VIN.  The radiator support VIN is gone.  My question is this:  Should this be (A)  excused on a 40 year old car, (B) considered a little shady, or (C)  regarded as down-right fraud?  I don't like the idea of someone paying over $50K for an apparently re-bodied car, or is it simple a case of buyer beware and that's the state of classic car resale these days?

[ajantics]

I was down there looking at the same cars with my dad. We inspected that cuda and the red 72 with a hemi conversion. Both of the cars were advertised falsely. I don't mind that the cars are not #matching and had discrepancies. I mind that the addvertisments and sales people say that the cars are all orginal and try to get top dollar for them.

[Alaskan_TA]

Got photos of the tags / cowl stamp? Link to the ad?

[Alaskan_TA]

I found the ad;

http://www.myhotcars.com/

I do not see a photo of the cowl stamp though?

[quapman]

There's no such thing as a cuda coupe.

Not all Cudas and/or Barracudas came with belt moldings.

The car you describe is a case of fraud.

[_Russ_]

There's no such thing as a cuda coupe.

Can't really hold that against them. 99.9% of the earths population would call any car with 2 doors a "coupe". Not many people realise, and even less people care, that there are differences in some makes & models between Coupes & Hardtops.

Still ... if you're going to venture into the world of selling classic automobiles, it's in your best interest to get the little things right. Their value is in the details!

[dutch]

Their value is in the details!

it`s got a 72-up rallyedash...

[FY1Cuda]

Got photos of the tags / cowl stamp? Link to the ad?

The cowl stamp was hard to read and harder to photo, but it was clearly not the VIN.  I guess I'm wondering if a buyer who after-the-fact realizes that the car isn't as authentic as represented would have any legal recourse.  I'm sure the dealer would plead ignorance.  Who knows about the seller? And do police or DA's ever have to wade into these situations to resolve the issue?

[Alaskan_TA]

If you can get a clear photo of it I can pass on the info to the NICB in CA. 

[_Russ_]

Has anybody bothered contacting the seller and politely informing them? Maybe they just don't know and are going off what they were told.

Since it's a dealer, there's a possibility it's being sold on consignment and they're just listing whatever info the seller gave them.

[Alaskan_TA]

Contacting them directly gives them time to alter / hide the evidence. Best left someone that can get it straightened out like the NICB. 

[72rtchallenger]

If you can get a clear photo of it I can pass on the info to the NICB in CA. 

and dont contact the dealer,,

[TooMuchTime]

The VIN is BS23H0B438802.  H is a 340. The striping says 440 and that's what's under the hood. Here's a link to the decoded fender tag.

Yeah, it's all original.

They also have a '71 Cuda 383 that is yellow but has GB5 (Bright Blue) as the paint code. I don't think they're trying to hide anything.  The VIN and Fender Tag are there for all to see.