Rebodied cars and do they get certified

**Steve Shauger** · #1 11-09-2005, 02:52 AM

The topic refers to a chevelle in this instance, therefore it would be replacing a rusted body with a rust free. I wouldn't worried about the new camaro body, it is my understanding they are easily identified.

LarryGFrench · #2 11-09-2005, 03:19 AM

Where do I go to find VIN's?

NCGuy68 · #3 11-09-2005, 03:59 AM

The new Repop body sticks out like a sore thumb. They're building them not far from me and any knowledgable Camaro person will see the difference. A couple of observations:

1. Three firewall configurations available - none look factory.
2. No VIN visable in the original location. No unmolested VIN means bogus in my book.

Got my flame suit on Gents - fire away...........

**njsteve** · #4 11-09-2005, 04:58 AM

[ QUOTE ]
The topic refers to a chevelle in this instance, therefore it would be replacing a rusted body with a rust free. I wouldn't worried about the new camaro body, it is my understanding they are easily identified.

[/ QUOTE ]

There is no "certifying " them. Replacing a rusted car's body with an entire new body and placing the old car's VIN on the new car is illegal under the Federal as well as state statutes. There is no exception for restoring a car of significant historical value (though I think there ought to be). This falls under the same auto theft/VIN swapping statutes and it is illegal.

**Rick H** · #5 11-09-2005, 05:06 AM

[ QUOTE ]
The topic refers to a chevelle in this instance, therefore it would be replacing a rusted body with a rust free. I wouldn't worried about the new camaro body, it is my understanding they are easily identified.

[/ QUOTE ]

Steve,
The opening statement was "COPO type car". I would believe that to mean any COPO including the Camaro. The new body's would fall in to the Camaro rebody scenerio.

We now return to our regularly scheduled debate.

Rick H.

**Steve Shauger** · #6 11-09-2005, 05:16 AM

(I opened this one up in a different thread since it started to take away from the COPO Chevelle that a member posted for sale.

Rick,
That was what I was refering to...

As far as the new bodies; they can't even reproduce a trim tag correctly. Do you think they could produce a whole new body that is undetectable. Especially with your critical eye??

**COPO** · #7 11-09-2005, 05:33 AM

Jeff, what is your definition of a rebody? The hidden VINs don't match the VIN tag, or replacing so much sheet metal, little remains of the original car, but retaining the original cowl and the VIN's still match? How about a hypothetical former race car that had the firewall cut out including the hidden VINs, but the original trim and VIN tags remain and the rest of the car's sheet metal is original except for some patched 1/4 panels? Not an easy question to answer. I guess that is why survivor's can bring a premium.

**Rick H** · #8 11-09-2005, 05:45 AM

Steve,
Good point.

As for the body's, I really don't think that the company that produces the bodies did it to intentionally deceive anyone. It's the individual that buys the body, makes a clone and attempts to pass off the completed car as an original car that is doing the deceiving.
Believe me the differences between the repop bodies and original sheetmetal is such that any competent body shop can improve and make them correct.

OK, now back to our regularly scheduled debate....again.

Rick H.

**WILMASBOYL78** · #9 11-09-2005, 06:36 AM

I don't see what all the fuss is about. There are doctors in LA and Palm Beach who re-body people every day. A couple of Camaros shouldn't be such a big deal. Right???

wilma

Racefan · #10 11-09-2005, 06:40 AM

It would be a big deal if I could purchase one of those people and found out my brand new Pam Anderson was once Aunt Bea (no offense to Aunt Bea).

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