[The Boss]

There were cowls available through the parts catalogues and still are today.

Does the VIN just jump over when you place them side by side?

I would take a swapped body car over a swiss cheese china bodied car any day of the week! All those Duese's, Ferrari's and Bugatti's which have been brought back from bare chassis parts or blocks in the past have all ceased to exist? Sad!

[JLHarper]

The frame VIN's (other hidden VIN where available) do afford a extra level of protection if the person is willing to look.

Consider that thousands of these cars may have been "fixed" in the 80's when prices started climbing, but reports of such acts hadnt been published or widely talked about.

I would seriously doubt that a VIN swapper or a rebody gang in it for the quick buck, would spend the time to change the frame VIN, especially in the early days.
Most people didnt even know it was there until the hobby became more informed.

How many now check other VIN locations?

If the stories are true, they were doing their work and selling (fast) as original cars, not as restored.

[dr-doug]

my 60-70 K mile car's VIN on the frame is barely recognizable. It wouldn't matter to me if they were or they weren't readable...I look at it as a bonus if it is.
VIN swaps are not a good thing, somebody is, or will be deceived.
The money that some people payed for tags at BJ is BS.....They are looking to fool somebody, and eventually they will.
Did I mention I'm still looking for a IV or a vert...(project)....DW

[PonchoV8]

If I did a VIN swap myself, I have to admit that I'd be tempted to not disclose it--but probably not for the reasons you'd assume. It's because of what other people might imply about my ethics. So, I'd rather go the longer road. In reality there are probably as many people that would besmirch you for that.

[scorpio ps]

Wallstreet Journal this past week on BJ sales #'s

2007--- 111mil
2008--- 88mil
2009--- 66mil
2010--- ?

Just came back from Mecum in Florida. Plenty of no sales. A few fake GTO's and one T/A. Of course according to the description, all numbers matching with fake PHS. 74 SD455 red with white interior auto. They called it "Godzilla as it was a Japan bound car built for export". Top bid 57K no sale. Mostly flippers buying cars from each other. One guy (flipper) bid and won a 67 GTO for 24k and was trying to sell it for 27K. Nice cosmetics, 455ci but the car was hard starting and did not want to run. I guess he got dilated by another flipper so he was trying to get rid of it.

[OVERULD]

Wow - sales are off by 41% in two years! Another indication of this crappy economy
BJ

[Wakepowell]

Originally Posted by scorpio ps

Wallstreet Journal this past week on BJ sales #'s

2007--- 111mil
2008--- 88mil
2009--- 66mil
2010--- ?

Just came back from Mecum in Florida. Plenty of no sales. A few fake GTO's and one T/A. Of course according to the description, all numbers matching with fake PHS. 74 SD455 red with white interior auto. They called it "Godzilla as it was a Japan bound car built for export". Top bid 57K no sale. Mostly flippers buying cars from each other. One guy (flipper) bid and won a 67 GTO for 24k and was trying to sell it for 27K. Nice cosmetics, 455ci but the car was hard starting and did not want to run. I guess he got dilated by another flipper so he was trying to get rid of it.

Interesting comments on the Mecum auction especially regarding fake PHS’s. Was Jim Mattison’s 1965 GTO Tri-Power a real car?

[The Boss]

It's a good time to buy!

If there is a car you always wanted 2009 would be the year to buy it!

[dr-doug]

I agree Boss,this is the year to buy, and I need to sell a couple. I always have had great timing, maybe I'll be able to wheather the storm.DW

[1971/455/HO/4-SPD]

Originally Posted by OVERULD

Wow - sales are off by 41% in two years! Another indication of this crappy economy
BJ

Or and over inflated marketplace back in 2005-2006!

[OVERULD]

Originally Posted by 1971/455/HO/4-SPD

Or and over inflated marketplace back in 2005-2006!

I think you are closer to the truth there Paul. I also agree with The Boss - good time to buy if the right car would just come along...

BJ

[scorpio ps]

Originally Posted by Wakepowell

Interesting comments on the Mecum auction especially regarding fake PHS’s. Was Jim Mattison’s 1965 GTO Tri-Power a real car?

There were four 65's that I saw. Two verts and two HT. Three were white and one HT was Tiger Gold with Hurst rims. I don't know which one was his. They all had tri-power. Like I said, Joe the Plumber was not there buying. It was mostly flippers. If that was a no reserve auction, there would have been some peed off sellers. 70 "OO" Judge went for 57K. Was a Atoll Blue to begin with. The flipper finally came out with it when I made like Colombo. After that he closed the hood so I could not look any further. Nice paint though.
A few 67's all were red.

[GTOnly70]

Originally Posted by scorpio ps

There were four 65's that I saw. Two verts and two HT. Three were white and one HT was Tiger Gold with Hurst rims. I don't know which one was his. They all had tri-power. Like I said, Joe the Plumber was not there buying. It was mostly flippers. If that was a no reserve auction, there would have been some peed off sellers. 70 "OO" Judge went for 57K. Was a Atoll Blue to begin with. The flipper finally came out with it when I made like Colombo. After that he closed the hood so I could not look any further. Nice paint though.
A few 67's all were red.

Do you remember how much the '65's were bid to?

[PonchoV8]

Originally Posted by scorpio ps

70 "OO" Judge went for 57K. Was a Atoll Blue to begin with. The flipper finally came out with it when I made like Colombo. After that he closed the hood so I could not look any further. Nice paint though.

What makes OO so popular? Two Lane..., Dazed and Confused, etc.?

[Guilty]

Maybe OO Judges are so popular because they remind us of Baretta............