could a person get a new vin tag made for the original number, put that on it and then go to the DMV and register it as a newly purchased vehicle (make a dummy bill of sale), and report the "old" car as "sold" so the wrong vin is no longer registered to you?

That way, the now old enough vehicle could then be reunited with its correct number, and the transgression of some long ago and far away person be removed from that vehicle?

It would be ideal if there was a way to confirm that a vehicle was not ever stolen in the UK, like if there was a clearing house to check with or something.

B C 's post was obviously nuked, and now when nuked does not even show up on the list of posters

Maybe the administrator should give Bill, say a dozen posts a month and then nuke any offensive posts after that that

At that, he would last 2-3 days LOL

Memo to BC, don't post when pissed !!!!!!

Big AL

Curious Footnote:   When I looked at this thread in the board index this morning (12/7), it shows the last post being from Bill Cox at 1:51 on the 6th.  When I opened the thread, the last post was by Minimans... at 1:51.  I wonder if Bill and Minimans hit the submit button at the same time and Bill's post disappeared.  Bill?

I agree with Minimans that with the car now sporting incorrect VIN tags, getting this "changed" to make the car "legal" is just asking for problems.  How do you explain it to the DMV... "Oh the car has been here for 10 years and somehow it accidentally has the wrong VIN tag on it for a car about 2 decades older.  I'd like to get that corrected on the title".  

The only way as far as I know would be to find the original VIN/chassis number and obtain a title using that number, always assuming that it wasn't stolen and re-vined in the first place. In which case a very large can of worms will have been opened.............

From what I understand, an '83 would be legal now in most of the USA, it would be worthwhile to register it as an 83 and be legal, although I wouldn't know how you go about doing that...

Commonly referred to as a "re-vin", in most places it is not legal. In a few places it is possible to legitimize such a car, but in others you'd run the risk of it being seized and destroyed without recompense. Bill Cox, aka "thewerewolf", may provide specifics on Virginia.

no its not legal it's called VIN fraud and could get you a little vacation care of the federal Govm't! also the car would be seized and almost certainly be crushed. If it's a legal rust free nice presentable car i would say $10,000 isnt unreasonable. but this one isnt it................ 

My neighbor's brother is selling a 1983 Mini Mayfair. He brought the car back with him after a visit to Scotland in the mid-eighties. In order to register the Mayfair, he said he purchased a 1966 Mini parts car, removed the VIN tag, and attached it to the '83 Mini, resulting in the '83 being titled here in the U.S. as a 1966. He claims that it is perfectly legal to do so.

In an attempt to verify such actions, I looked around on the 'net, and found a '79 Mini for sale in Virginia, which appeared to have a 1965 VIN tag.

So, is this a common practice, and most important, is it legal? Seems to me that it's an end run around federalization (steel beams in the doors, reinforced bumpers, etc), but maybe it's perfectly legit.

Also, he wants $10K, which includes a spare 998cc engine (he says there's an 1100 in it now), a spare sub-frame, and a bunch of other misc. spares. Car has around 60K miles.

Thanks for your help. Not sure if this is a good deal or not - aside from the VIN issues, seems a bit high priced to me.