State of Hobby - Page 2

Peter · #11 03-05-2002, 08:53 PM

I do believe the known vin's should be listed. Its really the only part that can't be faked. You can get correctly dated parts, fake trim tags, ect. Can't get a fake vin and even if you could it is a much more serious offense and much easier to get caught. The very next owner will find out the car is a fake by the fake vin that is aleady registered with another car rather than the fourth owner down the line that has no one to go back to. I also believe a published list of vins may help to find some of the missing supercars that have been raced, butchered, and sitting somewhere not looking like anything more than a hulk of a car that people wouldn't even give a second look. About five years ago I looked at a car that was in the local paper. The guy said it had no motor or trans but the body was perfect. When I went there (by appointment) no one was around. I could see why because the car was very rusty and he probably didn't want to hear my attitude. BUT the car looked completely original, paint, int, ect, just in bad shape. It had power front disks, rear spoiler, 12 bolt, was a std trans car, and didn't look like any other options and everything looked original. I wasn't really thinking about what it could have been. I was just upset the car wasn't as advertised and went home. When I got home I started thinking about the car again and what it could have been. When I finally realized how stupid I was for what it could have been and my lack of having any knowledge as to what to look for at the time I called back for some more info, car was sold. It was cheap but not that cheap so it never left my head that it might have been something. A list of vins would have at least been a real good start if the car might have been something and on the list, if I was smart enough to bring the list with me!

Rat_Pack · #12 03-05-2002, 09:05 PM

Peter, I can tell you that the title searches have been done and just about all of the cars that are missing are just that. They have been junked, stolen, or forgotten about all together. The numbers just need to be published and it would end the arguments whether a car is legit or not, especially the Yenkos. I traced an old drag car and found it was stolen in 74, recovered in 76, and gone for good by the late 80's.........RatPack......................

AutoInsane · #13 03-05-2002, 09:22 PM

How many Super Cars does the Registry now have on file? Is there a need to also keep track of the Clones wiht a 'Clone Registry'?

Who keeps the records for the registry? Are cars that are know but not offically registered by the cars owner put into the Registry to track them?

I know 'Yenko Bart' had a list of known Yenko vins, why does the person who gave him the list not want it published or entered into the Registry for that matter?

How many cars are currently on file with the Registry and will there be a page in the future to view them?

Just a few questions.....

Billy

68l30 · #14 03-06-2002, 12:03 AM

I am taking a look at the other side of the coin.Would I want my VIN in the open for everyone to know?Some of these cars are worth a lot of money.Now you know my VIN,do a trace,now have my home address,it can happen.I know someone could do the same at car lot or at a show,but this list is easier and no doubt correct.This is one reason there are privacy laws to protect individuals from gaining such info.I believe it is great to have a list,it is needed.The people with a list have offered to help any which way they can in documenting a car.The cars that are missing are just that.A VIN will not find that car if it has not been found already.People have tried,the only thing left to do is the hard leg work.Who wants a 2am phone call from somebody looking for a Yenko that was found 15yr. ago?I don't own a Yenko,I would however love to and realize this list won't help me find one only document a car that I may buy.Please don't take this the wrong way,it is only a opinion,and everyone knows what opinions are like....

Steve

whitetop · #15 03-06-2002, 12:05 AM

The high prices of the original supercars can be attributed to clones. In many cases people will pay a higher price to get an authentic car with paperwork because they know very good/exceptional clones are out there and will pay much more for the car than market value to get piece of mind. If there were not any clones the prices for your cars would not be what they are today. Hope this makes sense. Bad for buyers but good for sellers and ones who currently have the cars.
Dave

[Edited by whitetop (03-05-2002 at 07:05 PM).]

Unreal · #16 03-06-2002, 12:31 PM

About a year ago, I proposed a "Clone Registry" to Tom, and offered to keep it up. I thought that would be a good way to minimize fraud. That offer was rejected. My offer still stands.

**TimG** · #17 03-06-2002, 02:08 PM

I can understand the concern of publishing ID numbers. There are many rare cars that have their ID number published and it would be interesting to know if there are any negatives from this. The Special Collection at Bloomington has the ID numbers of each vehicle along with the owners name in the program each year. The Shelby Registry has the ID number of each vehicle and the owners name published in it. Many times, magazine articles have the ID number in the write-up about the car. Running a title search in my state, Texas, can result in the name and address of the owner of any vehicle. It is public information. This may be the risk of having a registry for supercars. Another risk is getting a fake on the registry, I am sure that there are cars that are not real that may end up on the list. This could actually help promote cars that are not real.

NWYENKO · #18 03-06-2002, 02:15 PM

Tim, I have a Texas car I would like to do a title search on. How far back can they go? What info is needed? Could you assist me? If so let me know what I need to provide. Thanks, Jim

T Billigen · #19 03-06-2002, 03:23 PM

I think it would be a good idea to have all know yenkos to have the vin posted. It would be great to have all COPO cars listed but I think much tougher to control, the Yenkos are a much smaller quanity to deal with, similar to the ZL1s which have all there vins listed. I think a list with the owners name and vin will discourage the people that purposely intend to deceive. I would be willing to e-mail my vin to Tom and have it posted. I also see Yenko Bart's point of view, he made a promise to someone that he would not post the vins and I think he is doing the right thing! (My Opinion)

**TimG** · #20 03-06-2002, 03:41 PM

NWYENKO, you will need a form 275 that can be printed out at www.dot.state.tx.us
Click on customer service and then click on forms. There are two sides to this form. The cost is $5.75 and they can go back to the inception of the title in Texas.
If you would ike to contact them by phone the number is 512-465-7611, they will provide this service even if you do not own the car from what I have been told.

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