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A couple of days ago I got an email out of the blue from a guy looking for information and confirmation on a few things regarding a car he had just purchased. He bought it on the internet somewhere (not sure where) and was informed it was a 69 SS with the original engine.
His first communication mentioned he was advised by the seller before the deal was made that somewhere along the line the VIN tag had been changed. For some reason the buyer was not concerned about this. Since then he has received other information on the Data Plate, engine stampings, etc. Here is what we have come up with (thanks to Dale McIntosh for his help on this as well).
- Serial number is a 136379 car built in Freemont, California.
- Build date on trim tag is 1B.
- Engine serial number on block pad is 18S114137.
- Engine code on block pad is T0911JV.
- Only saving grace is the Oshawa Trim Tag confirming some various SS specific options (L35 & B79).
The engine is probably from a full size 1968 Chev. I would say somebody has done a restamp of the "JV" code on the pad which relates to the options on the trim tag. The non original engine is one thing, but with the VIN Tag definitely changed, and the Trim Tag could possibly have been changed, this is a real can of worms.
He has already paid for the car and it is in delivery transit as we speak. The poor guy is so distraught that he doesn't know if he can in fact register it (I think he's in NY State somewhere). He's now considering maybe just parting it out to recoup some of his money.
It's easy to critisize the guy for not doing his homework or proceeding even though he knew the VIN tag had been switched. Then, after the deal is done, all the other crap comes out. Anyway, I'm a compassionate person by nature and do feel sorry for him.
Unfortunately too much of this stuff going on which is all money driven. It's not a hobby anymore, just a quest for the "allmighty buck". End of story.
His first communication mentioned he was advised by the seller before the deal was made that somewhere along the line the VIN tag had been changed. For some reason the buyer was not concerned about this. Since then he has received other information on the Data Plate, engine stampings, etc. Here is what we have come up with (thanks to Dale McIntosh for his help on this as well).
- Serial number is a 136379 car built in Freemont, California.
- Build date on trim tag is 1B.
- Engine serial number on block pad is 18S114137.
- Engine code on block pad is T0911JV.
- Only saving grace is the Oshawa Trim Tag confirming some various SS specific options (L35 & B79).
The engine is probably from a full size 1968 Chev. I would say somebody has done a restamp of the "JV" code on the pad which relates to the options on the trim tag. The non original engine is one thing, but with the VIN Tag definitely changed, and the Trim Tag could possibly have been changed, this is a real can of worms.
He has already paid for the car and it is in delivery transit as we speak. The poor guy is so distraught that he doesn't know if he can in fact register it (I think he's in NY State somewhere). He's now considering maybe just parting it out to recoup some of his money.
It's easy to critisize the guy for not doing his homework or proceeding even though he knew the VIN tag had been switched. Then, after the deal is done, all the other crap comes out. Anyway, I'm a compassionate person by nature and do feel sorry for him.
Unfortunately too much of this stuff going on which is all money driven. It's not a hobby anymore, just a quest for the "allmighty buck". End of story.
