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92GTA · 03-19-2017, 11:29 PM

The CA DMV is sending me to the CHP to have my VIN verified. They are going to be looking for a 2nd VIN somewhere on the vehicle to match the one on the dash. IF they don't find one, they will assign a new VIN to it, NOT an outcome I want.

Can anyone help me out with everywhere on the car the VIN can be found? Is it stamped into the front sub-frame anywhere that can be seen from underneath for example?

Thanks!

A Schab · 03-20-2017, 12:30 AM

Tag on the dash,under the heater box,under cowl panel and on the motor and transmission, are all the locations that I know of.

92GTA · 03-20-2017, 12:41 AM

Under the heater box, on the firewall? I have vintage AC system so no heater box but maybe the VIN can still be found there.

Where exactly under the cowl panel? That's easy enough for me to remove for the inspection I think.

The car does have it's original trans so that helps too. The original engine is in storage and not accessible right now.

69RamAirIIIJudge · 03-20-2017, 02:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 92GTA

Under the heater box, on the firewall? I have vintage AC system so no heater box but maybe the VIN can still be found there.

Where exactly under the cowl panel? That's easy enough for me to remove for the inspection I think.

The car does have it's original trans so that helps too. The original engine is in storage and not accessible right now.

Should be on the engine compartment side between where the blower motor went in and the heater core opening. It was hidden behind the heater box. If your heater box has been removed for vintage air it should be easily accessible and fairly easy to see. Unless the firewall has been filled and finished with putty.

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muscle_collector · 03-20-2017, 08:47 AM

why are they doing this

johnta1 · 03-20-2017, 10:03 AM

Easiest one to find probably under the pass. side window wiper on the cowl.

Think there is one on the rear driver side rail and front subframe.
But may be hard to find/see?

I also wonder why this needs done?

92GTA · 03-20-2017, 04:52 PM

They are doing it because the car was taken from CA and registered in TX for 4 years, now I am registering it back in CA. They just want to verify the car is legit is all. it's a standard thing the DMV in CA does.

Sounds like I'll remove the cowl.

tom s · 03-20-2017, 08:03 PM

I have reg tons of cars at AAA from out of state and have never had to show a second vin!I sold my 69 bird to a guy in TX and bought it back a year or two later and was no issue redoing it in CA.Tom

vwmailman · 03-20-2017, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 92GTA

They are doing it because the car was taken from CA and registered in TX for 4 years, now I am registering it back in CA. They just want to verify the car is legit is all. it's a standard thing the DMV in CA does.

Sounds like I'll remove the cowl.

I thought only Ohio had laws that stupid.

Hikin Mike · 03-20-2017, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 92GTA

They are doing it because the car was taken from CA and registered in TX for 4 years, now I am registering it back in CA. They just want to verify the car is legit is all. it's a standard thing the DMV in CA does.

Sounds like I'll remove the cowl.

Must be "new". I bought my '69 back in 1987-ish. I was in the USAF, stationed at Castle AFB (Atwater, CA). I registered it in CA for a year or two. Decided to register it in PA (I was born there) because of the CA smog rules. When I got out (1990) I stayed in CA. I registered it in CA again and I don't remember having to do that.

92GTA · 03-20-2017, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tom s

I have reg tons of cars at AAA from out of state and have never had to show a second vin!I sold my 69 bird to a guy in TX and bought it back a year or two later and was no issue redoing it in CA.Tom

I have no answer to for that. I only know that all of the old 50s/60s cars I've ever brought from out of state needed to have eyes put on the 2nd VIN (which is usually on the driver side frame rail upside down for Chevys anyway). This is the newest 60s car I've had it done with. My understanding is that cars old enough to pre-date manufacturers door stickers need this done because the DMV employees don't know where to find the additional hidden VINs. The Highway Patrol on the other hand has an officer dedicated to this in every city and they have books from the manufacturers that say where the additional VINs are hidden.

If the car had the original engine in it I could have showed that to the DMV employee, but GM didn't even start doing that until the early 60s anyway.

92GTA · 03-20-2017, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hikin Mike

Must be "new". I bought my '69 back in 1987-ish. I was in the USAF, stationed at Castle AFB (Atwater, CA). I registered it in CA for a year or two. Decided to register it in PA (I was born there) because of the CA smog rules. When I got out (1990) I stayed in CA. I registered it in CA again and I don't remember having to do that.

Could be. I've only been doing it since 2009.

Hikin Mike · 03-20-2017, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 92GTA

Could be. I've only been doing it since 2009.

That's probably it. We drove our 1968 Coronet 500 convertible from PA to CA years ago and I don't remember having to do that. The insurance company wanted to see it, but not the DMV.

tom s · 03-20-2017, 10:55 PM

I did a New York 63 Tempest 2 years ago and the AAA only looked at one vin.Maybe it's a DMV deal.Tom

92GTA · 03-20-2017, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tom s

I did a New York 63 Tempest 2 years ago and the AAA only looked at one vin.Maybe it's a DMV deal.Tom

Far as I know AAA is allowed to function as an authorized agent of the DMV, just like certain other companies and individuals are. AAA must be either skipping it, or pencil whipping it. The rules should apply to everyone the DMV allows to act as their agent.

92GTA · 03-21-2017, 01:08 PM

Just got a call from the DMV, my appointment is next Wednesday, 8am. He said if there is one under the cowl, to go ahead and have that removed when I show up.

Just occurred to me, does the trim tag on the firewall not have the VIN? I didn't think about that.

My heater box has been removed for VintageAir, so I'll check the firewall around where the heater box was before removing the cowl. There is a cover filling the hole in the firewall but maybe it's not covering it up.

Thanks allot for everyone's responses of where to look, it helps allot!

Greg Reid · 03-21-2017, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by muscle_collector

why are they doing this

I've been wondering the same thing. If they can't find a second location, what'll they do? I can't imagine anyone expecting someone to know where a second VIN is on every car ever produced or even currently produced.

Greg Reid · 03-21-2017, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 92GTA

My understanding is that cars old enough to pre-date manufacturers door stickers need this done because the DMV employees don't know where to find the additional hidden VINs. The Highway Patrol on the other hand has an officer dedicated to this in every city and they have books from the manufacturers that say where the additional VINs are hidden.

If the car had the original engine in it I could have showed that to the DMV employee, but GM didn't even start doing that until the early 60s anyway.

Ooops...Reading is Fundamental

92GTA · 03-21-2017, 01:59 PM

To answer your question on what they do if they can't put eyes on a second VIN, they assign the vehicle a new state issued VIN number. Which of course tends to destroy a cars value.

Keith Seymore · 03-21-2017, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 92GTA

Just occurred to me, does the trim tag on the firewall not have the VIN? I didn't think about that.

It does not.

K

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