Vin tag swapping

Author Topic: Vin tag swapping  (Read 4130 times)

Offline Paul_G

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Vin tag swapping
« on: October 27, 2009 - 10:43:11 PM »
Is there any way a person can tell if the VIN tag has been swapped on a car? Any way to check other numbers or something? 




Offline Bluemonster71RT

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Re: Vin tag swapping
« Reply #1 on: October 27, 2009 - 10:46:35 PM »
Well I guess if you can find the build sheet that would help.  Then I suppose if you know the options on the car vs. what the tag shows as correct or incorrect for the year.
There are a few guys here that could help you alot more than that.
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Alaskan_TA

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Re: Vin tag swapping
« Reply #2 on: October 27, 2009 - 10:51:24 PM »
Comparing the VIN to the body stampings (1969 model year & newer) would be the first thing to do.

Offline Paul_G

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Re: Vin tag swapping
« Reply #3 on: October 27, 2009 - 11:09:11 PM »
Comparing the VIN to the body stampings (1969 model year & newer) would be the first thing to do.

Where would I locate the body stampings?

Alaskan_TA

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Re: Vin tag swapping
« Reply #4 on: October 27, 2009 - 11:19:15 PM »
It depends, what kind of car? What model year?

Offline Paul_G

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Re: Vin tag swapping
« Reply #5 on: October 27, 2009 - 11:34:20 PM »
It depends, what kind of car? What model year?

70 to 74 E body mainly, but I have my eye on a 74 that is local to me. The VIN tag on this 74 has normal looking rivets. Others I have seen have a kind of pantastar looking rivet.

Alaskan_TA

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Re: Vin tag swapping
« Reply #6 on: October 27, 2009 - 11:57:55 PM »
If original, it should have rosette rivets.

Check the top of the cowl on the driver's side & the radiator support on the top or engine side, the stamp there is normally within 20 inches or so of the battery.


Offline 73Chally

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Re: Vin tag swapping
« Reply #7 on: October 28, 2009 - 07:22:40 AM »
It's a good chance the VIN is correct, but that the dash was replaced at some point.  The correct rivets are not widely available, so they might have just grabbed a couple off the shelf to put the tag back on.  Ask the owner if it's the original dash.

Offline thedodgeboys

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Re: Vin tag swapping
« Reply #8 on: October 28, 2009 - 07:35:05 AM »
 :iagree: Or if its been recovered and they didnt save them.
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Offline Katfish

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Re: Vin tag swapping
« Reply #9 on: October 28, 2009 - 10:37:31 AM »
It's a good chance the VIN is correct, but that the dash was replaced at some point.  The correct rivets are not widely available, so they might have just grabbed a couple off the shelf to put the tag back on.  Ask the owner if it's the original dash.

That would be my 1st guess.  I did that exact same thing on my 1st Challenger.  Picked up a nice used dash from the junk yard.  Put the VIN on with standard rivets.  Didn't know any better back then.


Offline myhorsepower.com

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Re: Vin tag swapping
« Reply #10 on: November 23, 2009 - 10:00:18 AM »
Check this out ...You could change the core support and the cowl the dash and door. oh almost forgot the fender tag. Now how do you tell???  Maybe the 7 1/4  rear under a V-8 car (318)  It's a 71 Barracuda (318) maybe???

Offline Moparinho

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Re: Vin tag swapping
« Reply #11 on: December 02, 2009 - 09:31:11 AM »
is it correct that I've only the last VIN digits in the cowls stamping ?
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Offline Cuda Cody

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Re: Vin tag swapping
« Reply #12 on: December 02, 2009 - 12:36:27 PM »
Yes, that is correct.  The full VIN is shown on door mylar and the dash, but on the cowl and radiator support only have the last 6 numbers with with the year and plant letter codes.

If you post some pictures of the VIN # your have found on your car I'm sure everyone would be more than happy to help you.


 :scared:
is it correct that I've only the last VIN digits in the cowls stamping ?
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