I can't find the Vin on my original frame for a 69 SS Elky. I found the part number on the rear left hand side, but no VIN. I know it's the original frame since the car was hit in the front, body has same damage as well.

Anyway, I'm going to swap the frame from a 71-72. Is there a way to find out if the frame is legit? Call DMV ? Vin search somewhere. Guy said it was clean Who knows though

Personally, I wouldn't worry about it and I definately wouldn't get ANY government agency involved.
I would Just change it and keep my mouth shut.

I agree with Dean. And if you are swapping the frame out, why do you care if it's legit or not?

I've had a couple of different '64 and '65 frames that didn't have a partial VIN on the rear frame rail.

The one on your dash is the "official" VIN. I wouldn't worry too much about the 'hidden' ones. There's probably one behind the heater box on the outside of the firewall and I've heard, on top of the frame in front of the rear end kickup. Since you will have the frame laying there, might as well "clean it up with a grinder" right there........... :) You know, just to cut the rust away..............

The one on your dash is the "official" VIN. I wouldn't worry too much about the 'hidden' ones. There's probably one behind the heater box on the outside of the firewall and I've heard, on top of the frame in front of the rear end kickup. Since you will have the frame laying there, might as well "clean it up with a grinder" right there........... :) You know, just to cut the rust away..............

LOL... a little 36 grit followed by some 80 grit and thick coat of epoxy.

This frame was pretty wasted and I'm surpirse they didn't get a new one when they fixed it. Not sure when it was crashed. I have looked all over on the new frame and was thinking of checking with the DMV, I have to box the rear frame for a trailer hitch, who knows maybe the welder might get in the way of the numbers. Wouldn't want to have any bad welds.

The new frame has 2 sets of numbers on the outside left hand rear frame rail. It doesn't seem to corespond to any VIN sequence though.

The VIN code it located on the top of the frame rail in the area of those manf. part numbers, its never on the side where there is easy access to it for tampering. Its not a full VIN but what is called the "VIN Derivative", the VIN will the model number left out, e.g. 10K123456 (1-GM Division, 0-year, K-Plant, 123456-Last 6 of dash VIN).

Also note that these were hand stamped with a gang holder, someone swung the hammer. They VIN stamped were supposed to be inspected as it was federal law that they were to be put there from 1968 forward.

Some people have also reported finding one stamped in top of frame just below the drivers door.

Remember these were put there so law enforcement had a way to prove the origin of stolen parts and a means to prove it.

All I can say is if you plan on swapping frames and spending a lot of money on the car, get a bill of sale for the frame you buy just in case. With the amount of money these cars and parts are selling for, you need to be a little suspicious of everything you buy. There is a story in today news here of a theft of auto parts from a local salvage yard, est. at over $4,000. I also know a person who owns a lot of old cars that his brother (was a mechanic) had collected since the 1950's. About 5 yrs ago his bro suddenly died and left him with the land and the mess of old cars. He left everything as is until recently only to discover a lot of the cars stripped of parts. He can prove that because for estate purposes they had photographed all the cars for the net worth. I wonder how many of those parts went on sale at swap meets or on eBay. I now there were many 60's Chevy;s in there, even a few early 70's Monte his brother collected for use a local dirt track race cars.

Rick Nelson has said he's seen several frames that did not have VINs. There is no rhyme or reason to the locations I've seen them stamped in. Grind it off and go. If you feel guilty, get some 1/4" stamps and stamp your own partial VIN in it, but as mentioned above, KYMS. :thumbsup: