I looked at this one in upstate NY & it's a clone with a NY state issued vin!!! (the tag is gone and a sticker issued by the state by the driver's door jam latch).

10 bolt & Malibu frame.

I'm certain this is the one I looked at a few months ago.

http://www.oldtownautomobile.com/index.cfm?detail=1&CarID=163

39K?! :sad:

..thanks for posting this..hopefully someone won't get burned.

The guy was looking for around 32k and claimed it was an SS. Someone bought it.

I looked at this one in upstate NY & it's a clone with a NY state issued vin!!! (the tag is gone and a sticker issued by the state by the driver's door jam latch).

10 bolt & Malibu frame.



So, how do you know its a clone??? I really doubt the NY state DMV (or any other state) would give the car a VIN without verifying that it went with that actual car...

I have a friend here that bought a Chevelle (SS clone) with NO Vin data (had a "Malibu" "136" registration card)... The Highway Patrol inspected the car and determined what the true VIN was (matched the papers), and placed one of those new tags by the door latch... So I'd say the car WAS probably a "true SS" (but maybe pieced together to make a buck)...

Is it really unusual to find a swapped frame and rearend in the "rust belt"?

With the price of these cars today, its not surprising to see every SuperSport, no matter the shape, restored using whatever means necessary to make a buck... That one could have been a stripped/wrecked shell (someone long ago took the 12-bolt, etc), that maybe someone pieced together to make a profit... Doesn't mean its a clone...

IMO, if its not original "matching numbers", then what difference does a "clone" make anyway???

Why then was the vin tag removed. It also did not have the rear corssmenber diagonal supports. It may have been a 138 car pieced together from a mailibu & something else but the vin tag pillar was undamaged so if it was a replacement pillar, why not put the vin tag back on?

It's therefore by definition not a "true 138 car". And for 39k, it better be.

I have nothing against clones but for the right price. I don't know under what circumstance a state would issue a vin but this guy had a drop dead gorgeous garage, about eight parking lifts filled with VERY nice cars; 69 z28's, GTO's Vettes, etc and was playing dumb about the authenticity of the car. He was "selling the car for a friend", was in the business of trading muscle cars, and was contiually non commital about knowledge of the car.

I was there and 2+2 equaled 21 if you know what I mean.

I suppose I could be wrong though.

What do you mean "Malibu frame" Brian? Also What about the trim tag? Did it not look legit? According to that it shows the car is an SS. I agree that the car is over-priced but these days which dealer offered muscle car isn't? :)