[ged2227]

I had a friend go on a junk yard hunt for me. Sharing the yard with this Judge (as there was NO VIN or TRIM tag) were ~ 5-7 first generation Camaro's (one was an SS 396- checked the leaf springs, color of rear valence, etc), an RS, Chevelle's, Mopars, A few Buick GS's... Most cars were MISSING THE TAGS...

[68alpinebluegto]

Pull the heater box off and find the Vin then lets get the car exposed!!!

[Eric71T37]

Where is that salvage yard?

Of course, it could just be a GTO with Judge stickers/stripes on it. Doesn't change the fact that the tags are missing though.

Eric H.

[PonchoV8]

There are several explanations for this, not all are deleterious in manner.
I know of at least 6 cars that are missing their VINS that are sitting in junkyards. In some cases thieves have stolen the VINs from the yard owners. In others, the yard owner took them off for other cars and sometimes they came in with that condition.

I have a convertible that I took the VIN off because it's sitting in someone else's yard a long way away from me, and I don't want them stolen off of it. I also titled another car that is in the yard and left a sign on the VIN that it is sold and titled now. I didn't both to take those off because it isn't as desirable.

[robz]

Originally Posted by PonchoV8

There are several explanations for this, not all are deleterious in manner.
I know of at least 6 cars that are missing their VINS that are sitting in junkyards. In some cases thieves have stolen the VINs from the yard owners. In others, the yard owner took them off for other cars and sometimes they came in with that condition.

I have a convertible that I took the VIN off because it's sitting in someone else's yard a long way away from me, and I don't want them stolen off of it. I also titled another car that is in the yard and left a sign on the VIN that it is sold and titled now. I didn't both to take those off because it isn't as desirable.

and in other cases, car was either stolen and recovered or scrapped/accidented and when brought to yard, VINS are automatically removed and destroyed to avoid any attempt of fraud..

BTW what 's with the front of the fenders still being intact while rest of body has severe surface rust??? Were they covered???

[b-man]

Originally Posted by robz

and in other cases, car was either stolen and recovered or scrapped/accidented and when brought to yard, VINS are automatically removed and destroyed to avoid any attempt of fraud..

BTW what 's with the front of the fenders still being intact while rest of body has severe surface rust??? Were they covered???

This car was on fire, that's how it ended up the way you see it here.

[PonchoV8]

Originally Posted by robz

and in other cases, car was either stolen and recovered or scrapped/accidented and when brought to yard, VINS are automatically removed and destroyed to avoid any attempt of fraud..

BTW what 's with the front of the fenders still being intact while rest of body has severe surface rust??? Were they covered???

I know a guy that bought a Buick GN at auction that was a theft recovery. It had no VIN in the usual place, but the state had affixed it's own in the door jamb.

[1969 Ram Air]

Just because they are missing, doesn't mean that they are located on another car now.

[68alpinebluegto]

Originally Posted by 1969 Ram Air

Just because they are missing, doesn't mean that they are located on another car now.

But they could be... and it could be that someone paid alot of money for it... FRAUD sucks!

[ged2227]

I do NOT know where the yard is... A friend sent me the pic attached to several others of the Buicks that were in the yard.. I should've changed the header to include the term 'possibly'. I do wish I could make it to the yard to look for a VIN somewhere on it.
So, I am NOT 'fishing'.. I just posted a pic for conversation.
On second thought... Yes, I know where the car is and I want ONE BILLION DOLLARS (in Dr Evil voice)...

[goathead455]

I visited an acreage today that had a bunch of old Pontiacs there.
This was one of the GTO's
VIN and cowl tag were gone

[69 RA GTO]

Is that car an original Orange 69?

[Jerry H.]

As I understand it, some insurance companies pull these vin tags when they pay off a total loss claim. This would explain them being gone.

[goathead455]

Originally Posted by 69 RA GTO

Is that car an original Orange 69?

Yes it is.
There is another orange car that is missing the cowl tag but has the VIN
My computer is doing funny things so I will have to post the picture later.

[Cammer-6]

Originally Posted by goathead455

I visited an acreage today that had a bunch of old Pontiacs there.
This was one of the GTO's
VIN and cowl tag were gone

Is that car in Miami or Key West???

[1971/455/HO/4-SPD]

I agree with Poncho, many yard owners in this area will pull the tags as the cars come in........................

[PonchoV8]

Here's two gto convertible 4 spd cars that are missing VINS. I have no idea why though.

[goathead455]

Originally Posted by Cammer-6

Is that car in Miami or Key West???

Scottsdale

[Cammer-6]

I didnt know the sand was that white in AZ.

[Ram Air IV Jack]

Originally Posted by goathead455

I visited an acreage today that had a bunch of old Pontiacs there.
This was one of the GTO's
VIN and cowl tag were gone

I know of a guy who has the vin and cowl tags from a green 69 Judge he took off of a junk yard car. He told me is just waiting to find the right car to turn into a green Judge.

This kind of stuff is exactly why everyone should realize that PHS documentation is not a definite conclusion that the car your looking is genuine. It seems there are a lot of so called low mileage survivor cars showing up all over the place since prices have gone through the roof the last few years.

Most original RAIV cars were blown up on dragstrips in those days with little care because GM warrantied the drive train for 5 years or 50K. I have read that GM took a beating in those days because of these warranties due to many people claiming their drive trains were defective after blowing them apart after street and dragstrip racing.

Bottom line here, check those hidden VIN numbers carefully before putting down a large sum of money on a restored car. PHS is a starting point but take it farther because it is your money!!