Cuda Advice Needed!

[HP_Cuda]

Do we know if this is a salvage title in CA?

[DoNotChallengeHer]

I heard this car keeps popping up like a bad penny. Sounds like it is a rebody ?

[tman]

Yes, personally look at the title to see if its branded "Salvage" or any other notations.  If that piece of firewall is in a packet, then that makes me more suspicious.  I cannot think of a reason to cut it out and put in an envelope.  Nevertheless, you can put that owner on notice of the status of that car.  Wonder why this car keeps "popping up like a bad penny?"   Look up the definition of rebody and it will help you make a decision to pursue or not.

[DoNotChallengeHer]

The original car was parted out . That is what I have been trying to tell you guys.

[tman]

The original car was parted out . That is what I have been trying to tell you guys.

Not contesting what you are saying.  I think its great you chimed up with the info.  Its still hearsay unless you witnessed the parting out process and the Registry is a good source of info.  It brings out caution to the buyer and ammo for decision making.  So far its not a stolen vehicle where a buyer just might lose the car to the owner who reported it stolen.  It would be that much harder to prove to a new owner that the car is legit or not.  Less chance an owner will the lose the car due to illegitimacy, but there is a that small remote chance that someone could make a big stink about the car and the owner could lose it or will never be able to sell it again. 
Bolo185, keep us informed of your findings.   

[Diego]

Question: Wouldn't it behoove the OP to heed the warning from the Hamtramck site and not get involved with a tainted car? Why bother paying so much money for a car that possibly may be tainted under the law? There's enough Barracudas to go around without involving oneself in a legal nightmare.

[DoNotChallengeHer]

Just trying to help. Make up your own minds 

[BIGSHCLUNK]

I'm with Jackie... 

[shoooter]

good work on finding that the car was black flagged. I imagine the seller had a nice barracuda , bought the tags and made a 340 4 spd black on black cuda. you can buy this car if you want its your own choice but like it was said before its not going to have a good resale and you cant lie about its past now that you know. I think for the money you can find a better car in this economy. if it really makes you happy buy it and drive it

[tman]

Now that is what I call significant information.  I cannot read the vin, but I do not doubt its existence.  It also said it was not sold, but Im sure it changed hands anyhow anyway.  Now we know why the fender tag, cowl, and radiator support is in a "packet."  I would stay away from it, but someone will end up buying it if they do not mind. 
Bolo185, you need to have the seller look at this string.  Maybe they will sell it for $15k.  I know they won't give it away.  They may just auction it and hope for the best.
Kudos to DonotChallengeher........

[tman]

Good info on the VIN. I have a closeup pic of of the fender tag and it shows to be BS23HOB203915 which does show parted out on the link you sent. Only letter I might be off on is the B in the middle of the Vin, kinda blurred and could be an L or a D if that is possible? Could that make a difference? Guy showed me a piece of metal cut out from the firewall with the stamped numbers he says was rust repaired and he kept it to show the numbers. Possibly from another car? Where are all the places on a Cuda besides the dash and firewall where numbers will be stamped or attached?

It is a beautiful car, it's currently registered in CA and he has the pink slip. He says an insurance rep inspected it for insurance purposes but I dont know how deep they dig for fraud. Guy has paperwork for everything put into the car, over $80k. But the VIN thing is interesting. All your help is really appreciated!     

I was just reviewing previous post and came upon the statement the seller told you about the "firewall with stamped numbers" on it.  That is now a plain lie.  Yes, its from another car.  Now its time to ask, did the seller do the vin switch? or did they buy it the way we see it from another owner and had no idea.  So the sneaky question to ask is "Did you save this piece for the packet?  If they say "yes", then they built the car using another vin.  Or "how long have you owned it?  The vin was on ebay in 2008. 

[bolo185]

You need to run that VIN at the Hamtramck-historical.com in the found section. I received info that the original car is long gone .

The plot thickens. Just got off the phone with the previous owner and here's the readers digest version:

Car body was bought in AL for $3K to a guy who built it in Seattle WA.
Guy in WA built it and sold it nearly finished to a guy in CA.
Guy in CA finished it and traded it for a 34 Ford and cash.
Has documentation of the body sale from AL, build sheet and all documents supporting the VIN and sales.
During restore a piece of the cowel was taken out / replaced due to rust and saved to show the matching stamped numbers.
Current owner bought it for his daughter but she doesnt want it.
Current owner registered it in CA and had a VIN verification done.
VIN issue came up in the National Transportation & Insurance board as suspicious showing the VIN was offered on ebay in 08.
California Highway Patrol went to the residence last year and did an investigation and inspection and cleared the car.
I just spoke to the CHP investigator who stated they thoroughly inspected the car from top and bottom and found the numbers match and it has documentation they are satisfied with. According to CHP the case is closed and unfounded.
The previous owner gave me the CHP officer info, the name and phone # of the builder in WA, and is sending me documentation of the body sale from AL and VIN supporting documents.     

I plan to call the builder in WA to see what info he can offer. Maybe the car was parted out and the guy in AL tried to sell the VIN but ended up selling the body to the guy in WA?

Sounds like it may be legit afterall, but if there is verification clearing the VIN as legit how does a VIN get "unflagged" from the databases once in?

Someone said this car keeps popping up like a bad penny, has it been around before?

I have a lot more more verifying to do before I even consider this car. In the meantime I'm still looking for a black or plum crazy Cuda if one comes along....



Thanks again for all your help!
     

[bolo185]

Just trying to help. Make up your own minds 

wow, how'd you find the original ebay listing?

The CHP officer says he found the old ad online too during the investigation but cleared the car due to all the numbers matching and documentation in the build sheet and receipts. If it was a switch someone put a lot of work into it!

[tman]

Thanks for the update.  What is the name or place of the Seattle builder? 

[bolo185]

Thanks for the update.  What is the name or place of the Seattle builder?

Dan Lanning was the builder in Seattle WA. Just e-mailed him to see what he says.
Previous owner just sent me PDF files of the sale from Lanning to him, and the sale of the car body from the guy in AL to Lanning for $3K. What concerns me is the seller in the ebay ad in 08 said all he had left of the car was the vin, fender tag, cowl, core support and title. I guess it would be easy enough to buy the VIN stuff and get a bogus receipt for the body. If the car was re-bodied it was done good enough so it passed all DMV vin inspections and a law enforcement investigation and inspection.
Figures, I find a car I like and it has skeletons in the closet, I mean in the trunk......