Invasion of the body snatchers.....

[Zvoiture]

OK, it is pretty well documented here and elsewhere my preference for the 75-78 body structure. So it weighs a bit more and blah blah blah...weight is easy to lose: plain and simple it is a stronger body.....The problem of course being the complete IMPOSSIBILITY of registering a 75-78 body here in CA with a motor that puts out any sort of pleasant umph.

How hard would it be to simply switch numbers? Who is going to know? I always do something radical with the bumpers anyway. How else could anybody tell? without weighing it or having a Master's degree in Nissan manufacturing techniques and history? The 70-73 body is identical to all but the most trained eye. Just build the motor you want and register it with numbers from a rusted out 240 you crushed.

I am a completly upstanding, law-abiding, tax-paying citizen who--most importantly--respects the law and the reasons for them. HOWEVER: You all know a finely put-together motor runs well and CLEAN. Much cleaner than scores of the hulks on the road and assuredly cleaner than a poorly maintained 280.

Couldn't I just say a couple 'Hail Marys' or something?

steve77

[smg1404]

A totally valid ide, that I am sure is againt one or more laws. I won't tell, go for it. But I wouldn't advertise it too much.

[2ManyZs]

Only one thing you haven't thought about. You can easily change the data plates, but you are forgetting the VIN number on the firewall above the brake booster. Not easy to change.

Won't even go into what can happen if you are caught altering VIN numbers. Not only would the DMV would be hot after your heals, but in CA you would have CARB after you too since you would be doing this to get around their smog laws.

If it were a race car I would say who cares, but a street car might be another matter, especially when it comes time to sell it if you were ever to do so.

[Zvoiture]

Somebody said in the "Only 240's?????" thread, "If you put a 280 in a 240, doesn't that make it a 280?" Which got me to thinking......

steve77

[St.stephen]

who's altering a VIN number of any kind? simply swap dashes with a 240 Dash you have a title for. REgister the car as a 240 and despite badging who the hell would know the differance.

Not that I condone it, however it is a possibility. Johnny law only cares that the VIN is trouble free, and matches the what is on the reg.

[2ManyZs]

If you only change the dash, the VIN number on the dash will not match the VIN number on the chassis, therefore you are altering a vehicle VIN number. Not legal.

[Ed]

Kind of stuck between a rock and a hard place.

[St.stephen]

I never condoned it, however Johnny law would not know where on the chassis to even think to look for the vin.

[XYZ]

There's only one way to find out..........:stupid:

Where's folsom prison relative to you? Kidding!:classic:

[Zed]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1854464018&ssPageName=ADME:B:LC:MT:1

[EScanlon]

If you check with the DOT, you'll find that they do check the number on the dash, with the number on the chassis, the paperwork etc.

How do they know where to find these numbers? By convention the manufacturer's have agreed to stamp and tag the vehicles in a few selected areas. If it's not on the firewall, it's on the frame, if it's not on the frame it's on the inner fender, etc.

You guys are approaching this from the wrong end.

Quit trying to outsmart the system and find out how to work WITHIN the system.

Call the DOT, and without divulging your personal information, ask them about the following scenario.

I have a car, year X that in order to be restored needs a new front end. I have found one from another car year V, which had been totaled due to a rear end collision. If I take the front end from the car V and graft it onto the rear of car X, which VIN number should I maintain on the registration and Dash?

You could also do a bit of internet searching and find that most states post what is called the Code of the State. There you will find the legal answer to the majority of questions of this type.

2¢

[SMW]

I'll back up EScanlon on this one.

To get my 260Z (still for sale, btw) registered as "planned non-operational" in CA, the police had to inspect the vehicle. The local officer went directly for the firewall VIN number described above, so you can be sure they will cross-check all of the numbers.