VIN Rivets look weird to me....
 

Greetings! I'm looking at a 1965 2+2 that is highly optioned but not numbers matching.

https://cdn.dealeraccelerate.com/van...na-2-2-tribute

The car itself is listed here:
https://www.vanguardmotorsales.com/v...na-2-2-tribute

I'm trying to find any issues with the car - as mundane as the aftermarket radiator being natural finish, to the fact the 376hp engine and AC weren't offered together, that sort of thing. Just so I know what I'm looking at.

One thing that struck me as weird was the VIN tag. It's not surprising that it was off for the restoration (so was mine!) but the install looks a little wonky to me. I was also expecting Rosette rivets, but don't know when they started using them on VIN tags.

Thoughts?

Nice looking car to me. I’m no expert. Maybe Mike Garblic or one of the others well versed in the 2+2 cars will see this and chime in.

I'm certainly no expert, but doesn't the listing say "tribute"? There may very well have been 130K spent on the build, but how much more for the "real" thing? I didnt bother to check the various codes on the vin plate, but now isnt everything in doubt as to what does and doesnt belong? Perhaps that was the point of the OP's question. Beautiful car and very much something I would love to own, but as a tribute is it worth that kind of money?

Those look like cowl tag rivets to me.

I don't know much about Doraville builds but those can't be right.

By way of reference the Pontiac Michigan plant went to rosette rivets some time in the 1965 model year.

My September of 1964 built '65 GTO has round rivets on the VIN tag.

K

Looks like they used trim tag rivets, LOL. Padded dash has an
additional modern looking vent molded into it? Exhaust shop
must've made an extra 50+ bends to satisfy this customer.

You'd think if you're going to mess with the VIN tag rivets (and screw them up royally in the process), you'd go ahead and source a VIN from a real 2+2 while you are at it. How much is a really nice 2+2 clone with a state issued VIN worth these days? I can't imagine how much $ is in that thing - and to think for less than $50? they probably could have put the proper rivets in and likely nobody notices - now tampered-with VIN 252375D112874 is documented online for eternity.

Just say NO to a $1300000.00 clone. I see a few issues right off the bat.
I have seen WJ cars with AC, but not many.
The VIN has been obviously tampered with and that itself is fraud.

What business is try to sell this?
Shady AF.

This place seems to like to price their Pontiacs right about $130,000. Including this '65 GTO Post. https://www.vanguardmotorsales.com/i...65-pontiac-gto

I see this May of 1965 Pontiac Michigan built GTO has rosette rivets on the VIN tag.

So the Pontiac plant switched some time between September and May.

K

That looks like a beautiful car in the pics and little video on the site. I am not the right one who knows what the rivets are supposed to look like. Why in the heck doesn't this car have a PHS to go with it at this crazy price. I would think that should be mandatory. The little extra grille on the dash pad is for automatic climate control, a super rare option in 1965. The bad news is I have NEVER seen one that actually worked. All parts are unobtanium. It is a beauty though. If it had a PHS, if the VIN stuff all proves out legit, I would think your looking at a 60-75K car. IMO, all these full size cars are done appreciating, and I love them dearly and own them.

Why would you scimp on the rivets when can still buy the original roset rivets?

A tribute car for $130k, no way. Keep looking man
Not a 2+2 but looks nice for half the price

https://classics.autotrader.com/clas...alina-for-sale

Assuming this is a tribute (listing says it is) with a questionable body tag and VIN plate (I dont know what to look for, but others here with the experience have stated the VIN plate is doctored), the PHS documents would be the least of it. What is the seller suppling in the way of a Title! ??! Maybe just a Bill of Sale? Might be fun to call the consignment place/broker and ask.

A beautiful car for sure, but assuming you can get past the State you leave in, what is the car worth with a State issued VIN ID? Half of the 130K? What a headache when it comes to selling it the next time down the line.

Some 65 owners more knowledgeable than me can confirm this but that face on the tach should not be on a car built in February (according to the cowl tag build date) if I'm right. This car seems to have some red flags on it Dave.

Beautiful car,too bad that effort wasnt put into a real one.
On the VIN plate,whats that 025 stamped in?