Re: still out there 124379N616431
 

Yeah - & car with continuous title history trumps body with sheriffs VIN on title. Definitely good for the purposes that Doug is considering in any case.

Re: still out there 124379N616431
 

My thoughts exactly..

Re: still out there 124379N616431
 

So... Evidently this thread is rightfully titled "still out there"

Re: still out there 124379N616431
 

i remember years ago another 69 yenko ex race car was found without tags. they were on a rebody that was sold at barrett-jackson I wonder what happened with that deal?

Re: still out there 124379N616431
 

I'm certainly no authority on body numbers and groups of SuperCars being built together, but: Has anyone checked for the body number/time build/VIN sequence to verify that they are chronologically correct? Is there any solid proof that the trim tag included is actually for this car? And do we, or anyone involved know when the original VIN tag was reported missing? Any idea why it is/was missing? And does anyone know if any other state previously issued a non-factory VIN plate before the current one from California? Please understand that I'm not pouring vinegar into the soup, just thinking here and hoping that another Yenko has indeed been found. Interesting stuff!

Re: still out there 124379N616431
 

The VIN is on the Yenko list as Lemans Blue, same as trim tag and was delivered to the dealer on 3-31-69 and is an 03B car. The VIN is definately a mid March car. Everthing appears to line up as it should. I guess its possible that there is another car out there with that VIN tag on it.

Re: still out there 124379N616431
 

The body number on this car is exactly what it should be for the Lemans Blue Yenko Camaro with vin # 124379N616431 based on the other order numbers within this Yenko order.

Re: still out there 124379N616431
 

I agree.. According to my lists and body numbers it is spot on.

Re: still out there 124379N616431
 

I'm sure glad that it falls within the correct parameters. I would think that with the known data that has been collected, that if another car wearing this VIN has been presented, the experts would have it their files. Maybe somebody with the time and skills can dig deep and fully research this car's history. I know in the regular "car business" there are several reasons why a car would be given a state assigned VIN plate; be neat to know when and why in this case. Great find and congrats to the latest owner and I hope whoever buys it keeps us well informed of any progress.

Re: still out there 124379N616431
 

There was another LB Yenko that had it's original body but a reissued VIN several years ago. Eventually, another car showed up with the real car's VIN plate - the State Police came and removed it, and it was then put back on the original body. This car appears to be a similar situation.

Also, I'm not surprised at all that this Colonial Chev. car shows up in CA - nor would I be surprised if it spent most/all of it's life out there. The Colonial sold cars were by far the most transient as the Navy guys came into port from abroad, spent their pay on a Yenko and then drove it home - where ever they lived!

Re: still out there 124379N616431
 

If there are 2 cars out there with the same VIN, who is entitled to the VIN plate is a function of the continuous registration history of the car & what the intention of the rightful owner was during his ownership period. So, if you own a car & somebody steals your VIN plate, of course the car that it was stolen from is entitled to get it back. On the other hand, if you wreck your car and deem the area where the body stamps are to be unrepairable - thus necessitating replacement panels - the repaired car is entitled to have the original VIN plate on it (if the tag had to be removed, better replace it with police/court supervision - as I'm sure that they did in Marlin's example). This applies even if the "unrepairable" parts (with the VIN stamps) are later grafted into a new car. It's all about the intent of the rightful owner at the time of the repair or theft.

I have a legal opinion on this with court cases cited. The Cobra world has had its' share of litigation on this topic! So, in the case of 616431 - IMO, it's important to figure out what was going on at the time of VIN tag removal. Was the VIN tag merely stolen, or was the original car in a bad wreck and still out there with the original tag still on it?

Re: still out there 124379N616431
 

The car with original hidden VIN's. Case closed!

Re: still out there 124379N616431
 

Ditto ...Steve . I see this car living a comfortable life a 1/4 mile at a time ! Badged up as a real Yenko as it should be. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/burnout.gif[/img]

Re: still out there 124379N616431
 

So...if you had a car (back when they weren't worth much - not today), and you wrecked it (or intentionally cut the cowl for racing alterations). You then decided to repair your car using parts from another car's cowl (remember - this is back when good cheap parts could be cut out of a car at the junk yard &amp; re-pops weren't available). So you made the repairs that included areas of the partial VINs to YOUR car. All of which was totally legal &amp; you haven't removed your VIN tag. Now you're back on the road with YOUR car. Fast forward to 2015 when some treasure hunter finds the old cut up pieces of your car complete with hidden VINs (believe me - this has happened with Cobras). The treasure hunter grafts the pieces that you discarded into another body (again - this very thing has happened with Cobras) - so now he has a different body with the original, factory, hidden VINs from your car. Finally, the treasure hunter comes to you &amp; says &quot;give me my VIN plate off of YOUR car because I have a car with your original, factory hidden VINs&quot;. Of course - you say &quot;OK here's my VIN plate off of my $250,000.00 car that I've owned since new - I'll take the sheriffs VIN and lose $200,000.00&quot;. LOL!!!!

I know &amp; respect you guys &amp; for that reason - I somehow don't think you'd give it up that easily.

Re: still out there 124379N616431
 

That is the exact scenario of the orange Yenko Camaro that had 5k miles, old drag car with plexiglas windows back in the day, Keith Hudson's car sold with his Yenko collection some years back at the Mecum auction. The vin and trim tag had been purchased many years ago and added to a new body that was restored. The original race car body was found, missing vin and trim tag. I have yet to hear how that one was resolved.

I'm guessing this blue car was stolen at some point and the vin tag was removed. I do not think there is a car with the real vin tag for N616431, this looks like all there is of the original Yenko minus the vin tag.

Re: still out there 124379N616431
 

so i hear the car is already sold.....wonder where it is going??

Re: still out there 124379N616431
 

x2

Re: still out there 124379N616431
 

Whew! I need a nap after trying to figure out and realize all the possibilities of the scenarios posted above. Bergy states a totally plausible account of events and the guy might lose his VIN plate or entire car for that matter, for something he (car owner) did to his OWN car. Seems like the $500.00 pre-purchase inspection fee is not only warranted, but almost mandatory on the high end stuff.

Re: still out there 124379N616431
 

Going to a great guy who got a great deal on a great car (IMO). Maybe he'll post about progress!

Re: still out there 124379N616431
 

Just wanted to let everyone know that I am the lucky guy that was able to purchase this car. I have to say Craig has been one of the most genuine and honorable people I have ever met. We had a hand shake deal over the phone on Saturday and even though he continued to receive phone calls and offers he remained true to his word. I have made a good friend.
I appreciate Charley for giving Craig direction and sharing this cool find with the rest of us.
I plan to share all my findings on the car and openly post the restoration progress on this site.
Thanks to everyone for the input and advice.
Jamie

Re: still out there 124379N616431
 

You got a great car Jamie . I can't wait to see the progress .

Re: still out there 124379N616431
 

Jamie...awesome! you'll do the car proud! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img]

Re: still out there 124379N616431
 

Congrats Jamie! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]

Re: still out there 124379N616431
 

congrats jamie

Re: still out there 124379N616431
 

-

Congrats on owning YS-9548!
As for concerns mentioned above, hard to beat the original body w/ hidden Vins confirmed by law enforcement also nice having this part of the process completely finished/done/behind you.
Bonus too is the State issued tag uses the complete original Vin, not a random/sequence #.
[img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img]
~ Pete

Re: still out there 124379N616431
 

Congrats Buddy ! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/headbang.gif[/img]

Re: still out there 124379N616431
 

congrats on the purchase!!

Re: still out there 124379N616431
 

Congrats on the new wheels!!

Re: still out there 124379N616431
 

Very nice Jamie, looking forward to the build.. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]

Re: still out there 124379N616431
 

Congrats to both buyer and seller.

Re: still out there 124379N616431
 

Jamie,
... Great purchase [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img]

... I live 30 minutes from the old &quot;Colonial Chevrolet&quot; in Norfolk, Va.

... and I have an extra metal &quot;COLONIAL&quot; emblem that I will send to you if you can use it

... Free

... Just PM me with your address

[img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]

Re: still out there 124379N616431
 

Very nice of you John. Great people on this site

Re: still out there 124379N616431
 

John. I really appreciate the emblem. I would love to have it for my car. I have always loved these cars but the friends I have made because of them are the greatest part of this hobby! As Doug said this site is full of great people!!!
Thank you again.
Jamie

Re: still out there 124379N616431
 

Congrats Jamie, Can't wait to see the progress [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif[/img]
The &quot;MOF&quot;

Re: still out there 124379N616431
 

Jamie - you going to restore the car back to original or keep it in the RACE dress??

Re: still out there 124379N616431
 

That depends on what the car turns out to be. It is my theory that the car could be an old race car that someone turned into a pro street car??? Most of the pro street stuff was usually pretty nice clean work that was more for show. This car has that rough around the edges look of a real race car. This could also explain the missing VIN plate. In a race car if something is in the way it usually gets cut out. For a roll cage maybe?? The first thing I will do is try to find some history on the car. If it turns out to be a race car with some provenance I will restore it back to its as raced trim. If not I plan to do a very correct high quality day 2 restoration.
I can't wait to get it home and dig into it!!
Jamie

Re: still out there 124379N616431
 

Jamie,

I knew sooner or later I would find someone that could use this &quot; COLONIAL &quot; emblem ...

... Glad to help you out [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img]

... I will be sending it by Wed. of next week and will let you know when it is actually on its' way.

[img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]