[Steve Shauger]

[ QUOTE ]
Since there is no state-issued replacement VIN for the car which would allow you to title the car, you are risking everything if you buy a car without the original VIN tag.

Add in the fact that it was an alleged insurance claim car (theft recovery? fire? flood?) with no current VIN and you could well be restoring a car for it's original owner who, depending on whether he (or even the original insurance company) was fully paid for the original claim, may still have rights to the car.

I would not even take that car for free! In the event a prior owner popped up, the legal fees defending your "title" to the car would be astronomical.

[/ QUOTE ]

That exact scenario happened with a COPO. The car was stolen, VIN removed and recovered with no VIN. Second owner purchased car with state assigned VIN, eventually the orig (hidden) VIN was discovered and orig owner claimed the car.

Also we don't want to condone the use of repop trim tags or VIN's, thats just bad for the hobby.