Interior swap blues

wdb · #1 10-06-2011, 04:24 AM

I've been working on my SVX for over a year to get it ready for PA state inspection, as I could find the time. It is finally ready. Only it isn't.

Some previous owner swapped the original interior with one from another car, and they didn't change the VIN tag on the dash. So the dashboard VIN is from another car. As it turns out, the only VIN tag that really matters to folks like inspection stations, police, etcetera, is the one on the dash.

I noticed it when I was buying the car. But apparently I am a naive, trusting, fool. Since the door jamb VIN matched the paperwork, and the car had a valid inspection sticker on it at the time, I figured we were all good. Ha ha.

I will now become educated on the finer points of PennDOT Form MV-41. Or maybe I'll find out that the interior was from a stolen car, or that my car was stolen! I just can't wait.

Or maybe I'll just sell this pile of misery before it causes me any more woe. Does anyone want an uninspectable SVX with brand new brakes and a bunch of other brand new parts?

Conn SVX · #2 10-06-2011, 05:47 AM

REMOVE the dash Vin # there are 4 or 5 other # on the car they can use . Be honest and tell them the story. That happened here and it went through. Conn. is tough also . What color is the car? and what color is the interior ? maybe the same car. before 1980 they didn't even have the vin on the dash so what do those people do ? Have you asked the people at DMV yet?

SVX92-97 · #3 10-13-2011, 10:22 AM

my 97 ebony I bought for $800 has no dash vin plate. I think when the windshield was replaced it may have been removed or fell off.

I would remove the dash plate and try again and explain.

92snowmachine · #4 10-13-2011, 10:52 AM

make your own reproduction vin plate out of a thin piece of steel and some number/letter punches. this is a common issue in my other car club (50's mopars) because you have to remove it to do a good paint job. most people have gotten away with faking their vin plate this way, since you can't get a very good visual through the windshield i would think that if it was close to original looking it would pass. i doubt many cops are experts as to exactly how subaru was making svx vin plates.

benebob · #5 10-13-2011, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 92snowmachine

make your own reproduction vin plate out of a thin piece of steel and some number/letter punches. this is a common issue in my other car club (50's mopars) because you have to remove it to do a good paint job. most people have gotten away with faking their vin plate this way, since you can't get a very good visual through the windshield i would think that if it was close to original looking it would pass. i doubt many cops are experts as to exactly how subaru was making svx vin plates.

Why don't you just tell him to rob a bank while your telling him to create an illegal vin which will eventually cost someone the car, a sizable chunk of change and possibly some visits with Bubba in the shower.

Provided you have the car legally and can prove that you have it legally start with Subaru, just like with any manufacturer it is their job to supply replacement LEGAL vin for LEGALLY owned cars. If that doesn't work out or your lacking the proper proof then move toward a bonded title. With the SVXs value being that of a nicely kept Yugo, it shouldn't cost ya more than a couple hundred in the bond.

92snowmachine · #6 10-13-2011, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by benebob

Why don't you just tell him to rob a bank while your telling him to create an illegal vin which will eventually cost someone the car, a sizable chunk of change and possibly some visits with Bubba in the shower.

Provided you have the car legally and can prove that you have it legally start with Subaru, just like with any manufacturer it is their job to supply replacement LEGAL vin for LEGALLY owned cars. If that doesn't work out or your lacking the proper proof then move toward a bonded title. With the SVXs value being that of a nicely kept Yugo, it shouldn't cost ya more than a couple hundred in the bond.

if he needs the money to buy a new vin plate he has to do what he has to do.

i've been through this before, took 3 months and several hundred dollars. also made a replacement vin for a friend out of a tin can, cost nothing but time. the choice is his, i am just letting him know about all of his options, legal or not.

Conn SVX · #7 10-13-2011, 03:26 PM

It is not an illegal vin plate . if all the # match.

icingdeath88 · #8 10-13-2011, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 92snowmachine

the choice is his, i am just letting him know about all of his options, legal or not.

Here on the interweb, where asses need covering, instead of saying "You should do (illegal activity)", we say "(Illegal activity) has been done with success", implying that the person should do that, but not actually saying so. Phrase it as a piece of information rather than a suggestion. Also, if you know it's illegal, point it out.

Just my humble way of doing things like this. But then I have a non-stock steering wheel with the stock airbag and never posted how to do it, to avoid accountability... Which I'm not sure is illegal, but is definitely to be done at one's own risk.

[/end hijack]

Personally, what I would do is go back and try to get them to look at the vin number on another part of the car instead of the dash one. Because why the hell are they there, if not for this exact situation? The one on the firewall would be pretty difficult to counterfeit. Just explain the situation, and keep explaining it to different people until you find someone that's reasonable.

Maybe remove the vin plate from the dash also, so there's no confusion?

benebob · #9 10-13-2011, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Conn SVX

It is not an illegal vin plate . if all the # match.

You're wrong, unless it was put there by the manufacturer it is an illegal vin plate. One that in many states is a felony. The manufacturer as I already stated is REQUIRED to provide a replacement vin if it was damaged, lost or misplaced. That is the only legal way to replace the visible vin on a vehicle and should cost you next to nothing provided you legally own the vehicle.

As for all of the #s matching. There is only 1 legal vin placed on a vehicle. That would be the visable vin. The other vins are simply there for manufacturer's id nothing legal about them.

You're better running the car without a vin, without a license, without a plate, without registration then you are to illegally tamper with a vin. Tampering with the vin means willful disregard for the law, the others not so much.

Sean486 · #10 10-13-2011, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by benebob

You're wrong, unless it was put there by the manufacturer it is an illegal vin plate. One that in many states is a felony. The manufacturer as I already stated is REQUIRED to provide a replacement vin if it was damaged, lost or misplaced. That is the only legal way to replace the visible vin on a vehicle and should cost you next to nothing provided you legally own the vehicle.

As for all of the #s matching. There is only 1 legal vin placed on a vehicle. That would be the visable vin. The other vins are simply there for manufacturer's id nothing legal about them.

You're better running the car without a vin, without a license, without a plate, without registration then you are to illegally tamper with a vin. Tampering with the vin means willful disregard for the law, the others not so much.

So to make a long story short he should go to the closest Subaru dealer and ask them to help him get a replacement vin plate. Is that right?

benebob · #11 10-13-2011, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sean486

So to make a long story short he should go to the closest Subaru dealer and ask them to help him get a replacement vin plate. Is that right?

Never got one for a Subie but most stealerships don't do them, you probably need to contact the manufacturer. Only one I can remember that you could get it through a dealer was for Mercedes, who uses paper for their vins BTW.

Mike621 · #12 10-13-2011, 05:25 PM

It's the vin from my old claret. that dash went in years ago around 3 am& I never had the chance to get the vin plate back. So the fact it's there is a mistake. It's jf1cx3533nh101688 correct?

Mike621 · #13 10-13-2011, 05:29 PM

The car should not require a dash vin to be inspected and the plate comes off easily.( I had to take it off the dash I installed from a parts car some time ago.

benebob · #14 10-13-2011, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike621

The car should not require a dash vin to be inspected and the plate comes off easily.( I had to take it off the dash I installed from a parts car some time ago.

And how long did you sell cars?

No car can be bought sold or transfered without the VISABLE vin plate on it. It is plan and simply 100% illegal in this day and age. Don't believe me ask any legit inspection guy, any man in blue, any auto auction, any DMV. The dash vin is the only vin which is required by law to be on a car.

Now the funny part about this is since my TVR didn't have a visable vin plate either (had been glued onto the dash and fell behind it) the great state of Colorado felt compelled to insist on a State ID vin as the original importer was no longer in business. They also felt compelled to place it not in a visable location but rather on the door jamb, 3 inches above the Origin Plate (which like with many makers actually contains the vin as well).

Landshark · #15 10-13-2011, 05:58 PM

i could have that car inspected tomorrow.