Invasion of the body snatchers.....

[dohc]

My Chassis number isn't even recorded on the rego, makes me worry a bit that it could be stolen and rebirthed very easily as only the Engine Number is recorded anywhere and that's easy to change.....

R.

[owenk]

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.

When I registered my 71 240Z with California after purchasing, the DMV inspector looked at the dash, firewall and fender. We need to remember that they see all kinds of tricks so it may be asking for trouble if you try messing with the system without knowing the rules. Like EScanlon said, work the system do not fight it.

I once had a job applying for permits to drill natural gas wells in California and I found if you went to them with your heart in your hand and stroke there egos I would get permits much faster than my competitors who had an attitude.

[Mike]

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.

Don't forget that the 'law' was created because of extremely bad people. Ammendments and points are added as exceptions to the law for the people who decide to fight it.

Because our system is soo screwed up, I wouldn't worry about it. If you're not altering VIN's and selling cars... then I seriously doubt that the court system will even bother.

My uncle had this problem with an older Toyota Landcruiser in the CA area. He rebuilt the whole vehicle from the ground up.. So, he went out and cut a VIN (engraving) from an older truck and welded it to his frame (cutting a hole and fitting the other number in place). He's a great welder and the job looked top notch. Needless to say, he made it work. But, remember... the truck is his own restoration and he's not selling Toyotas on the black market this way..

It's all of the breaucratic BS that makes it difficult for us real fanatics to actually live life. Don't ya just love the US?

Well, I shouldn't complain. Australia has these god awful speed cameras everywhere. Talk about BIG BROTHER watching you. I think it should be banned.

[m]

[2-77zs]

Start by contacting your insurance company. Find a local agent if you don't have one and bend his ear for an hour. Trust me, these sheisters know alot about vehicle qualifying.

If I'm not mistaken you could register your Z as a custom street legal car?????? I'm not from california, but this is an option in NY.

I wish you luck, and hopr you find a way around it.

[halz]

what zvoiture is planning to do sounds a lot like 'rebirthing' as its called in Australia. This is where a stolen car or one rebuilt cheaply from many parts is given a new identity with new VIN numbers from a wreck. While I applaud the efforts we all go to to be able to drive the cars we like on the road... the law is the law. Your idea will take you onto a potentially very slippery slope.

[Datzun76]

You have some crazy laws out there. They can actually dictate what size engine and how much horsepower you are allowed to have?

I have owned mine for several years and have yet to come across anyone needing to check my vin #'s. Our state does not require inspections. I wonder how many do require them.

[240znz]

I got my righteous cap on now.

I remember reading/hearing about changes to the New Zealand law when you change the engine capacity on a car. If you do it, you need to get it tested and certified by a government testing station. This is a good idea in my book.

As a kid I saw tons of "hotted up" Holdens and Falcons in NZ...I even saw a Morris Minor with a 350 Chevy in it. Holly crap...just think what that does to the chassis of the car.

So what the "law" is saying is: Yes you can change out the old engine for a new one, but if the displacement changes then bring it in and well check to see that if you drive it, you won't kill youself or more importantly anyone else.

That is a good thing.

Now I do not expect the average 2002 mechanic to be able to spot the difference between a L28 vs a L24. But a 350 in a 240 sticks out like dogs balls.

Now when it comes to swapping out car halves, the same thing should apply. If it has not been done by "someone who knows what they are doing" you are in for a very real potential death trap. Get the thing looked over by a "approved" testing station if the law dictates it. If the law doesn't dictate, then use the brain your mother gave you and apply common sense. DOH!

Just think how you would feel if you lost someone close due to a poorly repaired car...that you've done. Just hope that if you hurt any one clooe to me that the cops get to you first.

Cap off now.

[owenk]

In California, if you put a auto with a salvage title back on the road you must have it inspected by the Highway Patrol. The inspection is done for road "worthlyness"

[dohc]

Australia has similar laws to NZ, whereas if the capacity changes past a certain point (or the power to weight ratio) then it needs to be engineer approved (about an extra $1000 expense). This is not so bad because to pass the engineers testing you actually need to do a 1/4 mile and a few other track tests to make sure that the power output isn't being dodged.

As for rebirthing, it's pretty hard to do to newer cars but I've heard of quite a few people doing it to pre-1980 cars... If a car is taken off the road (defected or wrecked) and then re registered it will usually (except in a couple of circumstances) need to go over the pits and have a general saftey check (belts, seat mouts etc). Not too hard if you have nothing to hide, but if you have something to hide (like structural rust) then they'll find it. Swapped VIN's is only going to get picked up then, or if the car is ever stolen and recovered and then they'll do a pretty thorough search and background check......

R.

[2-77zs]

WASHINGTON (Associated Press)-

With nearly twice as many "smog days" as any other state, California continues to lead the nation in dirty air, followed by Texas, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Ohio, an environmental group said.

http://apnews.excite.com/article/20020830/D7LNCBH00.html

A link to the whole story.

Which I'm sure will not help ease restriction for California Classic Owners.

Don't kill the messenger.