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Car purchase was no good today

select-fireselect-fire Member Posts: 69,513 ✭✭✭✭
edited July 2015 in General Discussion
When it is too good to be true.. well it probably is... Seller listed the car below. Had some paperwork. When we got there this morning... The car had NO VIN number on the pillar post. Zero..Nada, None. Trim tag was on the car. Dealer said he just purchased the car. Said he could get a VIN number for it. Well Dale's paperwork in the ad must match the VIN in order to make it one of his old cars. Was also SS made on the interior with the console. Guy said the car was an SS. I told him it was not. An 847 car is an Impala coupe. A 447 Car is an SS. His was not a 447. Said he would get a VIN number made and attach it. Well... I passed. He had paperwork but could not prove this car matched the paperwork.l Car needed everthing, floorpans, truckpans, rear facia by truck latch, door skins, inner fenders, front fenders, hood , rear quarters..

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Chevrolet-Impala-Chrome-/161776754461

Comments

  • rogue_robrogue_rob Member Posts: 7,033 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    but it has a "cool patina look"
  • shilowarshilowar Member Posts: 38,811 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    You should report him to the DMV Criminal Investigations of that state. It is a felony to counterfeit a VIN plate among other violations.
  • asphalt cowboyasphalt cowboy Member Posts: 8,904 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I'm not familiar with Chevy's let alone the Imps.
    Would the frame number match paperwork or would it be like my Kaiser Jeep with just the last five sequential digits?
  • select-fireselect-fire Member Posts: 69,513 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by shilowar
    You should report him to the DMV Criminal Investigations of that state. It is a felony to counterfeit a VIN plate among other violations.


    Bingo..tomorrow. I didn't think anyone can make a tag and replace it. According to DVM in SC they would reissue another number. As I said no way to prove this was Dale Earnhardt's car. There is a hidden VIN on the rear, but the cars rear body mounts have to be removed to get to it. Way too much trouble. And even if it did match the paperwork the new VIN on the car would not match the paperwork.
  • asphalt cowboyasphalt cowboy Member Posts: 8,904 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Hidden. That's interesting. I was under the impression they all had to have a number somewhere readily accessible in case of theft.
    All of the Fords I've had had full VIN struck on the front frame rail near the right motor mount tower. My Kaiser is the same but just the sequential.
  • shilowarshilowar Member Posts: 38,811 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by select-fire
    quote:Originally posted by shilowar
    You should report him to the DMV Criminal Investigations of that state. It is a felony to counterfeit a VIN plate among other violations.


    Bingo..tomorrow. I didn't think anyone can make a tag and replace it. According to DVM in SC they would reissue another number. As I said no way to prove this was Dale Earnhardt's car. There is a hidden VIN on the rear, but the cars rear body mounts have to be removed to get to it. Way too much trouble. And even if it did match the paperwork the new VIN on the car would not match the paperwork.


    Since he is a Dealer you could report him to the dealer Board in your state aswell. He sounds like a crook, no telling how many folks he's screwed.
  • mlincolnmlincoln Member Posts: 5,039 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    "This car is very SOILD over all!!"

    So were my son's diapers.
  • fideaufideau Member Posts: 11,895 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I doubt he could get a vin plate made. Can't do that in NC. Maybe SC but I doubt it. Whenever a vin is missing in NC a number is assigned by DMV which has to be attached to the vehicle. After verification by an Inspector of all the other numbers of course.
  • wpagewpage Member Posts: 10,201 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Caveat Emptor...

    Ahh the ones that got away![8D]
  • Dads3040Dads3040 Member Posts: 13,552 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    But it has a Dale Earnhardt license plate cover AND a tachometer hose clamped to the steering column.

    That baby has all the earmarks of a high dollars restoration right there.
  • cbxjeffcbxjeff Member Posts: 17,628 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Sure he can get a new VIN tag. I've done it many times in Indiana. The problem is that it's a state issued VIN number and you would have a car that could be titled and registered but would have no collector value. Wait - are you talking about a used car dealer that may not tell the whole truth? :)
    It's too late for me, save yourself.
  • pwilliepwillie Member Posts: 20,253 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    That is one of the "saddest" stories I have ever heard!quote:Originally posted by select-fire
    When it is too good to be true.. well it probably is... Seller listed the car below. Had some paperwork. When we got there this morning... The car had NO VIN number on the pillar post. Zero..Nada, None. Trim tag was on the car. Dealer said he just purchased the car. Said he could get a VIN number for it. Well Dale's paperwork in the ad must match the VIN in order to make it one of his old cars. Was also SS made on the interior with the console. Guy said the car was an SS. I told him it was not. An 847 car is an Impala coupe. A 447 Car is an SS. His was not a 447. Said he would get a VIN number made and attach it. Well... I passed. He had paperwork but could not prove this car matched the paperwork.l Car needed everthing, floorpans, truckpans, rear facia by truck latch, door skins, inner fenders, front fenders, hood , rear quarters..

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/Chevrolet-Impala-Chrome-/161776754461
  • GrasshopperGrasshopper Member Posts: 17,039 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Perhaps the dash will tell the tail? I mean look closely, I think I see Cales autograph there.
  • select-fireselect-fire Member Posts: 69,513 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Dads3040
    But it has a Dale Earnhardt license plate cover AND a tachometer hose clamped to the steering column.

    That baby has all the earmarks of a high dollars restoration right there.



    I did some research and had other documentation to prove it was indeed Dales Impala. If the car had the VIN attached I would have restored it. It would have brought great money since it was Dales. I know of no other personal car of Dales that has made auction. Ms. Teresa has a huge collection of cars Dale owned. A 2 yr project to do correctly but with No VIN no way I would touch it. That car has sat since 2007. Who knows whom put the tach on the column. Dale died in 2001.
  • select-fireselect-fire Member Posts: 69,513 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by cbxjeff
    Sure he can get a new VIN tag. I've done it many times in Indiana. The problem is that it's a state issued VIN number and you would have a car that could be titled and registered but would have no collector value. Wait - are you talking about a used car dealer that may not tell the whole truth? :)



    Guy had a custom shop, body shop. If this was for real why the heck didn't he restore it? Something real fishy real quick. No VIN , I walked.
  • OakieOakie Member Posts: 40,565 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    From what your telling us Gary, too many red flags. Smart move walking away[;)] That is real sad though, because your right in the fact that it could bring some serious cash if restored properly. What would something like this take to restore and what would it bring?? I guess what I am asking is, how much profit could someone stand to make off a car like this??? Oakie
  • spasmcreekspasmcreek Member Posts: 37,717 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    they can also sell flood cars in the desert....high & dry
  • select-fireselect-fire Member Posts: 69,513 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Oakie
    From what your telling us Gary, too many red flags. Smart move walking away[;)] That is real sad though, because your right in the fact that it could bring some serious cash if restored properly. What would something like this take to restore and what would it bring?? I guess what I am asking is, how much profit could someone stand to make off a car like this??? Oakie


    Frame off would be the only way. Party had the parts to do it. Most of them not all. It is a time consuming ordeal to complete. Nothing on a frame off can be overlooked. It had serious rust along the edges of the top. Other area was the trunk lock that was just eggshell. I am thinking in the area of 30-35K to do it. I didn't even look at the engine today to see if it was matching. Only way it could have been would be if someone changed out the intake, electronic ignition. I am assuming the engine was not correct matching. Total cost would have been in the 45-50K investment. I haven't seen a personal car of Dale Earnhardt ever sold at auction. It would be exciting to see it go off and I would not expect it to bring less than 6 figures even though it is a plain jane 3 on the tree V8 Impala. Car was owned by Dale Earnhardt.. adjust your pocket for higher prices.
  • select-fireselect-fire Member Posts: 69,513 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Flying Clay Disk
    I must be missing something...

    You said the car is an Impala. Looks to me like the ebay advertisement is for an "Impala". What part didn't you undertand?

    Oh, nevermind, I'm sure there's some Dale Earnhart "confuse-a-cat", 3 card monte', worked in there somewhere which I really don't care to understand.

    I can just imagine...Dale Sr's 3rd cousin's brother's Aunt from his illegitemate G-G-G-Gramma's sides 3rd marriage, who hooked up with a Manatee in the bayou, had a chile'. That chile' once had some guy who worked on his mom's swampcooler who then gave birth to a great big baby Human-Gator. And one day Dale Jr. almost flew over the same bayou in his private jet at 30,000 feet...and NOW...This HERE be a collector's item!!

    <choke>

    [:D]









    It is way over your head. No use even trying to explain. [;)]
  • select-fireselect-fire Member Posts: 69,513 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    You are very much Welcome
  • babunbabun Member Posts: 11,038 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Did you look at the motor numbers???

    That intake manifold has no oil filler tube in front.[;)]
  • select-fireselect-fire Member Posts: 69,513 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by babun
    Did you look at the motor numbers???

    That intake manifold has no oil filler tube in front.[;)]


    Didn't get that far. As stated before I highly doubt original engine with electronic ignition and different intake manifold.
  • jltrentjltrent Member Posts: 9,343 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Did somebody lose out on a finders fee.
  • select-fireselect-fire Member Posts: 69,513 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Only if I purchase.
  • LesWVaLesWVa Member Posts: 10,490 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    fuzzy_handcuffs.jpg

    quote:Originally posted by select-fire
    Nice giveaway but I already have some. Only had to use them once on a tenant but hey they are a good thing to have if in a situation.



    Left your handcuffs at home??
  • select-fireselect-fire Member Posts: 69,513 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    UPDATE.... Seller sent me an email with pic..got a VIN tag made and installed. Looks pretty good but not original

    IMG_4066_zpspa4pxcpy.jpg
  • Dads3040Dads3040 Member Posts: 13,552 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I just love these topics.

    A guy learns so much. [8D]
  • select-fireselect-fire Member Posts: 69,513 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Dads3040
    I just love these topics.

    A guy learns so much. [8D]


    Glad you are enjoying it.
  • babunbabun Member Posts: 11,038 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The grey epoxy over the holes in the pop rivets don't make it.
    If you want to use pop rivets, first tighten a 1/4" drill chuck on them twice, and you'll get the hexagon shape of factory rivets.

    See this pic....

    68_72_vin_plate_02.jpg


    138177k142400.jpg
  • shilowarshilowar Member Posts: 38,811 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Look at that shiny new VIN tag on an old rusted POS.
  • ToolfogieToolfogie Member Posts: 1,254 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    On Jul-29-15 at 14:14:02 PDT, seller added the following information:

    I personally talked with a guy that knows A LOT about Earnhardt an the address and all adds up to be his personal vehicle in 1986!!! So this is a once in a life time chance to own one of (RALPH DALE EARNHARDTS RIDES) ALL THE VIN NUMBERS MATCH THE REGISTERTATION CARDS AN INSPECTION CARD!!! [}:)]
  • GuvamintCheeseGuvamintCheese Member Posts: 38,932
    edited November -1
    I know A Lot about real estate...
  • select-fireselect-fire Member Posts: 69,513 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by GuvamintCheese
    I know A Lot about real estate...


    You too huh..
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