Posted by gmharris [71.105.36.254] on Sunday, May 11, 2014 at 16:58:00 :
I found the following on a Chevy truck site. It matches exactly what I have learned from other sources.
"I've been lurking here for a while to get ideas for my 69 S/B fleet. I'm also a CHP officer and was the VIN officer in Sacto for the last 10 years. Possession of that VIN plate is a felony. Possession of any vehicle without VIN numbers is in violation of 10751 of the Vehicle Code and subject to impoundment until it can be verified that it is not stolen. Before you sink a bunch of money into the project to finish it out, go to your local CHP office and make an appointment to get your VIN verified. Unfortunately, they will give you a "blue tag" that is a foil sticker that is pop riveted to the cab of your truck (it's ugly as ****).
I've had hundreds of guys come to me who have purchased vehicles without vins and when I did the verification, it turned out that the vehicle had been stolen (I once recovered a Hardley that was stolen in 1971). Strangely enough, the paperwork for the vehicle that they purchased did not match the frame number or the confidential #'s. The only real reason to take the VIN plate off is to hide the vehicle's identity. Any competent painter can paint around one and make it look good so that's not a viable excuse).
Contrary to other posts, the only number that counts for a vehicle is the frame number. When you do a cab switch, technically it needs to go the the CHP and have a blue sticker applied so the cab numbers can match the frame number. But for future reference and other people in this situation--Don't take the old/different VIN plate off of the cab--let the officer see it or he can take and crush that cab (again, read 10751 CVC)
Do you really know that the "paperwork" that was given you matches the truck you have in your possession? If it does, then you are lucky and take your original course of action (I hope he can do a good job because if it looks hinky and a CHP sees it, again it can be impounded for 10751 CVC)
Not trying to piss on your parade, just trying to help out before it costs $$$$$$$$.
BigBaldy"
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