Repairing rusty VIN area on chassis

Repairing rusty VIN area on chassis

Author
Discussion

sambalee

Original Poster:

58 posts

166 months

Tuesday 10th December 2013
quotequote all
Hi,

I'm currently doing some chassis repairs due to rust on a 1974 Lamborghini which involves replacing a front box section which has the main stamped VIN number (there's the usual pop-riveted ID plate in the engine bay).

I cannot save the box section but the VIN area on the box section is fine. I have replacement metal going in but will need to get the VIN back on. It's not just a number and is like "Lamborghini * nnnnn" (nnnnn is the chassis number) so cannot be easily reproduced.

Clearly if I let the old VIN area into the new section it could look suspect - even if I did a good job.

So anyone know the legalities ? as it must happen frequently when restoring rusty old cars.

Lee

Edited by sambalee on Tuesday 10th December 22:32

shoehorn

686 posts

150 months

Thursday 12th December 2013
quotequote all
Just do it but take plenty of photos of each stage while doing so.
That way if there is ever any suspicion you have photographic evidence to ease any doubt.
Or you could simply remove the rotten bit entirely and replace it,then use the welder turned down to write the number on the new steel but once again take photos of each stage.

Petrolhead_Rich

4,659 posts

199 months

Sunday 29th December 2013
quotequote all
sambalee said:
Hi,

I'm currently doing some chassis repairs due to rust on a 1974 Lamborghini which involves replacing a front box section which has the main stamped VIN number (there's the usual pop-riveted ID plate in the engine bay).

I cannot save the box section but the VIN area on the box section is fine. I have replacement metal going in but will need to get the VIN back on. It's not just a number and is like "Lamborghini * nnnnn" (nnnnn is the chassis number) so cannot be easily reproduced.

Clearly if I let the old VIN area into the new section it could look suspect - even if I did a good job.

So anyone know the legalities ? as it must happen frequently when restoring rusty old cars.

Lee

Edited by sambalee on Tuesday 10th December 22:32
Re-Weld the VIN in place, and as above photo-document each stage including the surrounding garage to prove it came off and went back onto the same car.

Matt 211988

223 posts

131 months

Tuesday 31st December 2013
quotequote all
replace the box section and stamp the numbers into the steel with number/letter punches?