Hidden VIN does not match VIN plate or paperwork

[Cpd2433]

Originally Posted by Cpd2433

I am sorry to hear that. Moderator may remove my post.

Can a moderator please remove my post. After a couple days and no response, the Seller has reached out to me and will be fixing the problem.

[66cayne]

That's good to know. I bought a '67 GTO from Rick, the owner of Sabetta's Classic Cars, Oh. a few years ago. This was a very expensive frame-off restoration with full photographic documentation of the resto. I live in NC and the State police inspect all out of state classic car purchases prior to issuing a new title. They have a special unit that handles this. Upon their inspection it was bought to my attention that the rosette rivets which hold the vin tag to the driver's side post did not conform. When I looked at them when buying the car the rivets looked fine however the State trooper used a magnified camera image that showed the rivets had been messed with. In his opinion this indicated a 'chain of possession' violation. He said that they may be the originals, removed and reapplied when the car was restored. However, it was still a 'chain of possession' violation. So, that set in motion a new level of inspection. The trooper then used a magnifying extendable mirror to look up on the top of the driver's side rear frame section for the hidden vin. Fortunately for me the hidden vin matched the vin plate on the door post. If they had not, I would have needed to get a bonded title for the car. Meaning the car was mine unless someone came forward claiming the car was stolen or somehow misappropriated. In any event, I still had to have a state issued vin tag applied to my car because of the non-conforming rivets. The state issued tag was produced on the spot by the trooper and was attached next to the original vin plate on the door jamb (which thankfully I did not have to remove). It is also now has a state issued vin on the title. So there it is, buyer beware. I now have a car with a 'story to tell' if and when I sell it. NC is one of only a few states with this level of concern about classic cars but they take it very seriously.

[Cpd2433]

The dealer has reached out to claim that he is going to make it right. I he did admit that he changed out the seats but claims it was prior to me viewing the car on Saturday 05Apr25. He was in and out of angry in our conversation. He claimed they are his cars and he can do whatever he wants with them. I know the seats were mint and matched when I viewed the car on 05Apr25. Their YouTube video of the car was posted on 04Apr25. I would have never agreed to purchase the car with 2 holes in the seats.
He claims the seats were removed because they were damaged and that they are currently being refinished. Again I know this to be BS because he purchased the car from a Hagerty place auction and I have the auction saved and the seats were mint and matched front to back(all black with no metal emblems)
We are supposed to meet halfway in Ft Wayne IN when they are finished. I still think it’s not going to be a positive experience. They better be mint seats. Luckily I know what mint seats look like because I have the hagerty photos and my co-worker just had his seats refurbished in his 71 chevelle ss(I know different seat style, but I know what a quality seat refurbish looks like in person as I store it for him).

[mssl72]

Sorry you've got to go through this. I dislike the bait-n-switch. Keep us posted.

[Cpd2433]

Originally Posted by mssl72

Sorry you've got to go through this. I dislike the bait-n-switch. Keep us posted.

Thanks, it’s been a ruff week. They claim they are going to “make it right”

We will see, I’m not getting my hopes up and prepared to have to fund getting seats refurbished out of pocket.

Now I just need to study chevelle seats while they say “they are getting repaired”. I’m pretty sure New for the 67 was the side release button that allowed you to fold the seat forward.

[Bill Pritchard]

Originally Posted by Cpd2433

I’m pretty sure New for the 67 was the side release button that allowed you to fold the seat forward.

Yes, I just looked at a 67 Chevelle sales brochure that I have, and it shows the side mounted seatback release button.

[67since67]

For your reference, here is a '67 Chevelle bucket seat with OEM (not repro) covers.

Good luck!!

[Cpd2433]

Originally Posted by Bill Pritchard

Yes, I just looked at a 67 Chevelle sales brochure that I have, and it shows the side mounted seatback release button.

Thanks!

[Cpd2433]

Originally Posted by 67since67

For your reference, here is a '67 Chevelle bucket seat with OEM (not repro) covers.

Good luck!!

Thanks!

[Too Many Projects]

Get the pictures you have saved of the seats when he bought it thru Haggerty printed in full color to take with you when you meet. It will be more difficult for him to argue with pictures, rather than just a verbal description.