without trying to be politically correct, if you get the d.m.v. figured out, please give me a call. that said, it is a pretty good idea to try to stay in their guidelines. there are little "hints" that a vin tag isn't kosher---like "pop" rivets, or round head rivets. next is the condition of the tag itself. as far as this goes i'm personally sort of torn because i understand the vin tag will be removed for restoration of the truck, or for dipping the body in a stripping solution. the policies of the dmv, and laws of the differing states have more to do with the protection of the owner of stolen property. that's you if you one day return home and find your precious bolt has gone awol. later model vehicles have the vin plastered on everything, but the old stuff has none of the above. remember the value of a restored vehicle increases each year, as does fine wine. remember also that a vehicle is usually worth many more times it's value in parts rather than as a whole. remember also that there is a market for those parts that you yourself sought after. thieves know this. law enforcement knows this. the dmv knows this.
i ws once sort of chastised a few years back for suggesting the owners of vehicles mark their vehicles someplace other than where the factory did, and make sure the vin plate is in good shape and matching the title. some of the bolters thought that was a bad or unnecessary idea.
they have their opinions.
my opinion is that you have worked hard and long on your vehicles. you have spent alot of money, and there is an emotional attachment to the old iron. you deserve to keep it, and if it is taken and recovered, you deserve it back, and the turd who took it deserves to be the new mrs. bubba.
that's my opinion.
the selling or swapping of vin plates is in most states illegal, as it is here where i live. the protection for you is staying within the confines of the law, and doing what your state mandates. that's the best way to recover you property should it take a powder.
enough said i figure.
