front end damage on 67, what do I do about the vin's

DarkoStoj · Jan 12, 2007

I have a 67 mustang that needs the front everything replaced pretty much. I was wondering what I can do since the panels that the vin #'s are mounted on are just absolutely rusted & mangled from being in an accident and sitting forever.

zookeeper · Jan 12, 2007

Since they aren't really the "legal" vin numbers the DMV uses, I wouldn't worry about it unless you want it to appear original. If that's the case, buy a set of number stamps and put the old number on the new part. The DMV (in Ca, anyway) uses the vin # on the dash and on the title. Tampering with that is a federal offense, but the inner fender apron isn't. Heck, most Mustangs have their apron Vin buried under several layers of paint by now anyway...

DarkoStoj · Jan 12, 2007

zookeeper said:
Since they aren't really the "legal" vin numbers the DMV uses, I wouldn't worry about it unless you want it to appear original. If that's the case, buy a set of number stamps and put the old number on the new part. The DMV (in Ca, anyway) uses the vin # on the dash and on the title. Tampering with that is a federal offense, but the inner fender apron isn't. Heck, most Mustangs have their apron Vin buried under several layers of paint by now anyway...

they didnt have the dash vin in 67, that was a 68+ thing. The legal vin for the car is the one stamped on the fenderwell in the engine compartment.

2nd Mustang · Jan 12, 2007

Your post sort of intrigued me as I have a 67 coupe with many layers of paint in the engine compartment too. I found this:

http://www.1967-mustang.com/mustang-code.htm

mustangchris · Jan 12, 2007

This is something i would like to know as well since i have the heidt's setup on my stang i am going to be custom making my fender aprons. I also would like to Line-x these for a tough, good looking finish. Should i stamp these numbers into my apron and tape off that area so it doesnt get covered or is the door tag sufficient enough for all dmv/highway patrol purposes? Thanx.

ron67fb · Jan 13, 2007

When I registered my car after it was stored for years with license plates that weren't in the system anymore, all they checked/found was the door tag VIN and no problems from there.

Glen's 1965 5.0 · Jan 13, 2007

Re-stamping

Different states have difference laws. In Texas it is a no-no to re-stamp the VIN on the inner aprons and could result in the loss of the car if things look suspicious.

Check with your state auto theft division for this info and follow their info.

I have seen folks that invested mucho $$ just to lose the car.

chromedog · Jan 13, 2007

as has been said before, most states are different...in ohio, you are supposed to cut the vin # from the old part out, and keep it in the vehicle. if you replace the apron, door, etc. with a boneyard part, you need a reciept for that part, showing the vin # of the vehicle that part came from. if it is a new part it will not have a vin, but you should hang on to the reciept, anyway.

dennis112 · Jan 13, 2007

Some states have "reconstruction" titles and will assign a new VIN # based upon the fact that the old title was clear and the car was verifiable by the #'s on the aprons. They supply the new tag and affix it to a prominent place on the car, often the door jamb. In this case you definitely want to show the authorities the before and after work.

Call your local state police and they might tell you how to do it in your state. Hell, even call a body shop as some have done "clips" before.

BB1966 · Jan 13, 2007

Lets back up here....the first question that should have been asked is,are your apron #'s still useable????? You said it was all in bad shape. If they are shot I would restamp the new part in the EXACT same spot after its replaced. If they are useable cutting them out and welding them in the new panel is the next option,just keep the receipt for the panel and maybe take pics to prove it was done legal and you are the legal owner.
I would avoid the reconstruction thing at all costs, there is just no reason to go that route that I see.

chromedog · Jan 13, 2007

i agree... unless that area is truly mangled, i would section it into the new apron,epoxy prime, mask the number off, then rhino line,or what ever you plan to do the engine bay with.

'69Mach1 · Jan 13, 2007

If you were to re-stamp the apron ,what would you do for the star at each end of the vin? without the stars it would be a give away that it's been re-stamped

BB1966 · Jan 14, 2007

Star stamps can be bought also.

zookeeper · Jan 14, 2007

I think you guys are worrying over nothing when it comes to re-stamping a vin number on a peice of sheetmetal. For starters, if you take your time and do a nice job, it'll look exactly like it did from Ford. Secondly, it's ok to keep it a secret that you did re-stamp the car's correct vin# on your own car. As long as you're not trying to decieve someone, and you're using the vin# issued to the car, what's the big deal? I don't know about anyone else here, but I don't feel the need to tell the DMV anything other than what's absolutely necessary. I also don't go around telling the police how fast I drive when I'm late for work for the same reasons. Lastly, have any of you actually looked around at the DMV? Do you see any geniuses in there? They aren't going to go out to your car with the team from CSI to do a full-on anaylisis on the exact date and method the vin# on you inner fender apron was stamped. You are not the first person to replace an inner fender apron on a Mustang, you didn't steal the car so why worry about it?

Az Pete · Jan 14, 2007

Now, zookeeper, you are thinking the way most should. I have always wondered why so many tell the world of what they are doing. Fix it, make it look correct, and move on. Like you said, not stolen and my car, lets drive it. If I have a piece of sheet metal on a car that is bad, it will get repaired in a way that matches the original.

zookeeper · Jan 14, 2007

Lol, know what my favorite trick is when doing something at the DMV? I go in at 4:55 (they close at 5:00) on Friday and let me tell you, those dreary-eyed zombies behind the desk become working fools! It's like watching a miracle seeing those drones come back to life! They do whatever it takes to get you out the door as quickly as they can, by whatever means necessary! For instance, when I went to change my dirtbike into my name and get an off-road sticker, I actually paid $4,000 for it, but didn't want to pay used tax on that amount, so I went in there with a handwritten (by me) bill of sale for $1,000. Guess what? They didn't even look at it, the lady waiting on me was pounding on the keys of her keyboard, sign here, give me a check for this amount and BOOM! Done, get out of here. I'm about the most honest guy I know in day-to-day life, but I refuse to give the state of California one more cent than I absolutley have to to operate my vehicles. All they do with it is back eco-groups to take my riding areas away and try to force me to make my vintage cars smog-legal anyway. Besides, they expect you to lie anyway, so why go in there telling the truth?

Eyeless_Seven · Jan 14, 2007

Check with the state you are in, do it legally before you invest 1 penny in the car.
It will be a pain in the rear to restore or invest in something you can not title legally because of DMV red tape. On the 65-66- 67 mustang in my state (AZ) those are the vin number's. Only take's a few phone call's, a state inspector appointment and you are set.

BB1966 · Jan 14, 2007

I am guessing he already has the title.

zookeeper · Jan 14, 2007

I assumed the same thing. I'm also assuming he's not trying to "create" a rare car, such as making a plain C-code car into an S-code car. That IS a no-no...

front end damage on 67, what do I do about the vin's

DarkoStoj

zookeeper

DarkoStoj

2nd Mustang

mustangchris

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ron67fb

Glen's 1965 5.0

chromedog

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dennis112

BB1966

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chromedog

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'69Mach1

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BB1966

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zookeeper

Az Pete

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Eyeless_Seven

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BB1966

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