Preserving vehicle identity

[Matt S]

Hi guys,

Got a bit of a conundrum to solve. I want to replace the flitch panel on a car as it has been bent in an accident, but the VIN number is stamped onto this part. Stupidly, there are no other VIN stampings anywhere apart from the ally plate on the slam panel, but this is a replacement!

The flitch is 100% original, just bent, but I am nervous of how to proceed. Can I replace the panel completely, then weld in the original number onto the replacement panel? Or should i replace as much as possible of the original panel whilst leaving a bridging area of original metal and just try to straighten this as best as possible? I dont want to fall foul of any legislation and am fully aware that a replacement VIN plate and welded in chassis stamp would set alarm bells ringing if it was ever discovered, but surely someone has had a similar issue in a resto before? Can i just do whatever gives the best result as long as i take plenty of photos as evidence?

For what it's worth, i'm not looking to cover up an accident to sell the car, I've owned it for 10 years so far and will never sell it!

Cheers,

Matt

 

[markjabber]

What car is it?

I re-stamp vin numbers into MK1 & MK2 Escort strut top repair panels for this exact reason

I have done a MK3 Escort floor and Capri panels

Do you have a photo of the vin

see me eBay auction for some examples

 

[Robotstar5]

Might be worth contacting your local vehicle identity check site and asking their advice?

 

[Daz1968]

You can have it stamped by dvla, think you need good evidence that you are not ringing. Contact them and ask before you cut out anything. Other way is to just restamp the new panel and keep old section for potential buyers in future.

 

[norsa]

whilst you own the car, you would not be breaking any laws. The dodgy time comes when you sell it.

 

[Matt S]

Cheers for the advice guys, i'll give the VIC centre and DVLA a call and post back my findings.

Markjabber, The car is a 106. I'll try to get some photos tonight but the numbers arent anything like the stampings you have on your ad. They are created from lots of tiny punches (like a dot matrix effect) and has wierd shield shaped marks at either end.

 

[cecotto479]

If you buy a new scuttle from BMW - where the VIN is stamped - they require sight of the logbook and supply the panel pre stamped.

I'd ask Peugeot first.

 

[Hitch]

Not sure if its the same on a 106, but i seem to remember when messing with a mates saxo, it had a chassis no in the boot also, on the inside of the back panel that the boot closes down onto...

 

[bump]

Not sure if its the same on a 106, but i seem to remember when messing with a mates saxo, it had a chassis no in the boot also, on the inside of the back panel that the boot closes down onto...

Was that for checking if it was a Cut N Shut?

Mazda place one on the bulkhead and another in the drivers door jam.

 

[Matt S]

On mk1 106s the only vins are the stamping on the flitch and the plate on the slam panel... 2 really exposed areas :/ they seemed to learn their lesson with the mk2 as it was moved to the bulkhead!

Cheers for the tips, I got my replacement plate from the dealer with production of my v5 so I'll give them a call in the morning

I also spoke to the vic support team and they said there weren't any clear cut rules and couldn't really advise too much. They advised to make whatever is done obvious eg with some cars the vin is on the rear panel and they have had second hand parts welded in and the previous vin been crossed out and restamped with the correct numbet next to it, but there is usually another area on the car to refer to! They said to call dvla and ask as well and maybe get a comment put on the vehicle record that it had been done. Failing that just make sure to take lots of pictures!

I think I'll try the dealers and if that fails then I will leave the horizontal part that has the stamping attached and straighten it while replacing the vertical part and doing the cut just below the fold! Safest way I reckon!

 

[Matt S]

Just an update to this - decided to just repair the section, taking loads of photos and skirting around the stamping as much as possible. Here is the result - should be invisible once ground down anyway :



Cheers for the advice!