--Stolen Recovery VIN, what do I do?!!--

[79 Bird of Prey]

Hey, my TA has a "stolen recovery" VIN. however, i know the original VIN (found the partial VINs and know the other information, so i put together the entire VIN).

my question is, how do i go about changing it back to the original VIN? what kind of history will the car show when the original VIN is run?

my idea is, simply take off the stolen recovery VIN sticker and get a cowl plate with my VIN. then go to DMV and request a title.

[98 SNAKE EATER]

My uncle had the same problem when some crooks stole his Toyota Previa about 9 years ago:\

It was recovered a few days later thanx to Lo-Jack, but only after they changed the VIN's on every part of the vehicle except for the engine block:eek:

To this day, he still has problems with insurance and registration because of the bad VIN's:o

They keep sending him notices about past due liens on the current VIN (even though the vehicle has been paid off for years) and detectives are always stopping by, asking him questions about it:\

Its been registered in NJ since day one and every year when it goes in for inspection, it becomes an all day process of paperwork, phone calls and signatures:o

Probably not the news you wanted to hear, but it's all I know about that stuff:\

All of the Salvage/Title and Recovery vehicles in my shop either get parted out or driven with Dealer/Transporter tags:dunno:

[Chief Pontiac]

You can get blank data plates but not vins.

[79 Bird of Prey]

Chief, how so?

[Chief Pontiac]

Originally posted by 79 Bird of Prey
Chief, how so? I saw them in Hemmings,also a friend of mine made a 1967 Ram Air Vert clone out of a 326 HO Vert.I will try and get the info and PM you with it.

[79 Bird of Prey]

thanks a lot dude :). what does a blank data plate do anyways though, i just dont understand what its for if it's blank. do you fill it in then return it or send it somewhere and they give you something official. to be honest, not quite sure what the data plate is.

edit: ive been confusing cowl plates with VIN plates, if that is what this is in reference to :o

[Chief Pontiac]

Originally posted by 79 Bird of Prey
thanks a lot dude :). what does a blank data plate do anyways though, i just dont understand what its for if it's blank. do you fill it in then return it or send it somewhere and they give you something official. to be honest, not quite sure what the data plate is.

edit: ive been confusing cowl plates with VIN plates, if that is what this is in reference to :o The cowl plate is the same as a data plate.But as you know its under the hood on the drivers side for 70 on up Birds.My friend got a blank one for his 67 and then had the info put on it.Those are available but the vin plate isnt.I can find out where he got it and how he got the info stamped on it.Just give me a couple of days.

[79 Bird of Prey]

thanks dude :)

[Chief Pontiac]

Originally posted by 79 Bird of Prey
thanks dude :) Hey I am still trying to get the info for you 79 Bird.I didnt forget.:)

[79 Bird of Prey]

thanks man :)

[Chief Pontiac]

Originally posted by 79 Bird of Prey
thanks man :) So what happend,did you get a Hemmings and get the plate you needed?

[79 Bird of Prey]

i believe i got the issue of Hemmings in the mail yesterday, haven't done anything about the plate yet, still gotta get mechanical stuff done first. im not too worried about matching numbers, this whole time i meant VIN tag :o

[Chief Pontiac]

Okay but I dont think I can help you their.What dont you go where you get your plates they might be able to help.I am sure this problem has happend before.