69 Camaro Body in the Crate

[nuch_ss396]

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I'm sure that someone is watching this thread and where those bodies go very Carefully!

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Suddenly, the importance of the original trim & VIN tags
will become a hot topic on eBay and let's all watch how the
prices soar on those........

Steve

[Mr. T]

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I inquired of the representative who had it on display there as to how the car would be titled/registered. She said the body is considered a "replacement part" and so if you already had an original car for which you were "replacing" the body, it is legal to swap the VIN and Trim Tags. That's pretty much the answer I figured I was gonna get

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I knew that would be the kind of answer you would receive Bill. I was just waiting for someone to come forth and say it. This opens up a VERY big can of worms, for me anyway! This type of stupidity really burns my A$$!

[Pantera]

I understand that there is a federal law that says if the original vin # is removed for any reason you have to file for a state assigned #. You can get into big trouble if you change it. At least that is the legal answer I recieved here in OKla.

Changing a vin #, even onto a new part is against the law. There are bound to be some big problems arrise over this one.
Someone is bound to screw it up for everyone trying to scam someone out of thier hard earned money.

Pantera

[Belair62]

I'm sure someone will document the many differences between the Fisher bodies and these new ones...at least I hope someone will...there has to be a ton of differences...

[Mark_C]

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I understand that there is a federal law that says if the original vin # is removed for any reason you have to file for a state assigned #. You can get into big trouble if you change it. At least that is the legal answer I recieved here in OKla.

Changing a vin #, even onto a new part is against the law. There are bound to be some big problems arrise over this one.
Someone is bound to screw it up for everyone trying to scam someone out of thier hard earned money.

Pantera

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No it's not illegal. The replacement body is considered a repair part similar to a quarter panel or full floor section.

Reference USC title 18 section 511 sub section (b)(1)

"(b)(1) Subsection (a) of this section does not apply to a
removal, obliteration, tampering, or alteration by a person
specified in paragraph (2) of this subsection ( <font color="red"> unless such person knows that the vehicle or part involved is stolen</font>).

(2) The persons referred to in paragraph (1) of this subsection are -

(A) a motor vehicle scrap processor or a motor vehicle
demolisher who complies with applicable State law with respect to such vehicle or part;

<font color="red"> (B) a person who repairs such vehicle or part, if the removal, obliteration, tampering, or alteration is reasonably necessary for the repair;</font>

(C) a person who restores or replaces an identification number for such vehicle or part in accordance with applicable State law;

and

(D) a person who removes, obliterates, tampers with, or alters a decal or device affixed to a motor vehicle pursuant to the Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Act, if that person is the owner of the motor vehicle, or is authorized to remove, obliterate, tamper with or alter the decal or device by -
(i) <font color="red"> the owner or his authorized agent; </font>

(ii) applicable State or local law; or

(iii) regulations promulgated by the Attorney General to implement the Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Act.

http://uscode.house.gov/uscode-cgi/f...%28%29%20%20%2

Good discussion (one of many) took place on this subject on Camaros.net just about a year ago.

http://www.camaros.net/forums/showthread.php?t=54260

[RichSchmidt]

The New Camaros are dimensionally the same as the old ones.Aside from the already mentioned issue of incorrectly contoured convertable top bows,the body should be externally identical to an actual production car.The oval side marker lights on the show car are option,but the base body comes prepared to look like a production car.The first major difference that will help distinguish these cars from originlas is that some body assemblies that were orginally multi piece units with welded construction have been consolidated into single stamping components.Because of this,the reproduction car will be missing some seams and welds that were found on the original cars.Some of the undercarrage details and contours might not be as crisp on the repop as the original,but for the most part a side by side comparision would be needed to really show the difference.Other then that,these cars are supposed to be as close to original as possible.They are certaily closer to the real deal then any fiberglass 32 Ford body ever was.

[rpoz11]

In California, a non original issued chassis gets an assigned DMV tag that represents a VIN for a frame, for example.
Shouldn't each and every one of these shells be assigned a permanent ID # that D.O.T can reference to prior to the release of these?
A HD frame made aftermarket can get one, every COBRA aftermerket body should have one; why wouldnt the US Gov't insist on enforcing a numbering system that can be used in a database for each and everyone of the units being brought into the US?

For example, a friend just purchased a remanufactured Farm Tractor, it had serial #'s present on the unit and was allowed US entry! A pefectly simple and useful system to keep records on the such.
Law Enforcement would have a COW if they had to establish this built car in the event of a drug raid, to identify this shell with an original GM/D.O.T. assigned but unable to locate the correct VIN locations behind the heater, frame, and other applicable areas!
This is not the end of the world on these shells!
Something is going to have to happen on assigning ID numberings for every one of these units prior to public release, or liability will be beyond comprhension(sp) in the event of a serious situation arising!

Look, GM was put into the position to assign the numbering system that we know of it today; Our US Gov't wouldnt allow GM to build chassis' without proper authorization! Why would OUR Gov't not do this with these, even now????????

It's one thing to stamp out the panels , sections,etc individually; it's another thing to assemble all seperate stampings into a shell such as these where most of us dont have an assmbly line to do so, thus FORD, GM Chrysler, etc etc etc.....
Where is the line drawn?

[Mark_C]

According to the law the line is drawn when the "vehicle" is able to propel itself down the road. The shell is not a vehicle as defined by federal, therefore in the eyes of the law it is no different than a quarter panel, or fender.

[njsteve]

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According to the law the line is drawn when the "vehicle" is able to propel itself down the road. The shell is not a vehicle as defined by federal, therefore in the eyes of the law it is no different than a quarter panel, or fender.

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Do you have a Federal or State statute that you can refer us to that codifies this?

[Rick H]

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Shouldn't each and every one of these shells be assigned a permanent ID # that D.O.T can reference to prior to the release of these?

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The completed shells have an "ID" number stamped in four different locations.


Rick H.