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I do not know if this is illegal or immoral or both or neither.
Is it legal to reproduce a serial number plate / tag, such as you would see on a left door jamb pillar post ?
I see "blank" plates / tags for sale, now I see stampings of "your number", included on these "blank" plates / tags.
Is this legal or not legal ?
1951 Chevy Styleline Deluxe 2 door sedan / purchased from second owner 6-19-2000.
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VCCA members have access to a list of over 50 Technical Advisors who can help you with your car. It's worth the price of membership! While you can get a lot of information for free in this forum, sometimes the info that you REALLY need is only available from the right person. This is what "The World's Best Chevrolet Club" is all about!
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You don't want to know. 
RAY Chevradioman http://www.vccacolumbiariverregion.org/1925 Superior K Roadster 1928 Convertible, Sport, Cabriolet 1933 Eagle, Coupe 1941 Master Deluxe 5-Passenger Coupe 1950 Styleline Deluxe 4-Door Sedan 1950 Styleline Deluxe Convertible 2002 Pontiac, Montana, Passenger Van 2014 Impala, 4-Door Sedan, White Diamond, LTZ 2017 Silverado, Double Cab, Z71, 4X4, White, Standard Bed, LTZ If you need a shoulder to cry on, pull off to the side of the road. Death is the number 1 killer in the world.
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I think that would depend on the jurisdiction. My OEM data plate had been painted over sometime in it's past so I bought a repop plate and stamped my numbers on it & mounted it on the car. No issues around here but I keep my OEM plate in the glovebox just in case.
VCCA Member 43216 Save a life, adopt a senior shelter pet. 1938 HB Business Coupe 1953 210 Sedan
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Working in the parts dept. of a heavy truck dealer the only way a VIN plate could be obtained was for the dealer principle to send a certified letter to the factory explaining the circumstances. Also we only supplied replacement keys to the original owner. The only way a repo guy could get one is if he had the proper legal paperwork and was accompanied by someone from law enforcement.
Steve D
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You don't want to know.  Yes, I really would like to know. Many "opinions" in the past, looking for factual information.
1951 Chevy Styleline Deluxe 2 door sedan / purchased from second owner 6-19-2000.
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I think that would depend on the jurisdiction. My OEM data plate had been painted over sometime in it's past so I bought a repop plate and stamped my numbers on it & mounted it on the car. No issues around here but I keep my OEM plate in the glovebox just in case. You do have the original to serve as your backup, that seems fine. I am curious as to why or how these I.D. tags can be advertised, stamped with a number, which is provided by the buyer I.D. tag buyer, then sold to that buyer. To me, it seems like anyone who "needs" to change the I.D. tag / plate can do so, without any legal concern. F.Y.I., I am following your series in the G & D, with great interest. A great ongoing story of a restoration, thanks.
1951 Chevy Styleline Deluxe 2 door sedan / purchased from second owner 6-19-2000.
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Working in the parts dept. of a heavy truck dealer the only way a VIN plate could be obtained was for the dealer principle to send a certified letter to the factory explaining the circumstances. Also we only supplied replacement keys to the original owner. The only way a repo guy could get one is if he had the proper legal paperwork and was accompanied by someone from law enforcement. Steve, during my employment with Chevrolet, getting any serial number or V.I.N. work done, for whatever reason, was much like what you have described. Same with keys. Now I see V.I.N. tags for sale, with numbers, like they're selling hubcaps. Don't get it.
1951 Chevy Styleline Deluxe 2 door sedan / purchased from second owner 6-19-2000.
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It certainly does not take into consideration that someone could order a vin tag and put it on whatever they want. However many old vehicles that were assembled form parts are then tagged with "original" vin plates from scrapped cars. The insurance companies would most likely push for legislation if there was a significant problem. I don't advocate for that at this point as I think we have enough legislation on the books already.
Steve D
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If you search you can find numerous laws both state and federal covering identification and documentation of vehicles. Many are to deal with vehicle theft. Others are to prevent people from circumventing emission or safety laws. One is it is a Federal offense to install an older engine in a vehicle. That one is a joke (and not generally enforced) as many engines from rebuilders are installed in newer vehicles. As with most laws the intention might be good but the result after legislators and lawyers have put their spin on them is a disaster. Instead of cleaning up the mess they just make another law. Now we citizens are left to decide which law to follow or ignore? Hence we have chaos and a do what you want attitude. Sorry if this is too political. It was meant to be informative and thought provoking.
How Sweet the roar of a Chevy four!
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It certainly does not take into consideration that someone could order a vin tag and put it on whatever they want. However many old vehicles that were assembled form parts are then tagged with "original" vin plates from scrapped cars. The insurance companies would most likely push for legislation if there was a significant problem. I don't advocate for that at this point as I think we have enough legislation on the books already. So I, could steal a car, remove the tag, then install a tag from a scrapped car ..... OR a new tag from a VIN tag supplier.
1951 Chevy Styleline Deluxe 2 door sedan / purchased from second owner 6-19-2000.
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Bob, Here in NC is is illegal. In your former home of SC, it is probably legal. Who knows what goes on the minds down there? Anyway, while it is illegal to remove a tag, it would perfectly alright to do so as long as you had the title (with number) to back it up. Not worth prosecuting you for. I intend to get a new plate for my project car. It got lost in the shuffle with the company that installed the floor pans. I may come across it but I'm not going to worry about it. I have the title with the serial number on it. My physolosophy is to let them look for the serial number all they want and try to prove to me that the car is missing from someone else's garage. I'd like to know where they would find the "hidden" serial number anyway. I've been told that it is above the frame at the left rear wheel. But I got that information from Bob Wingate in a similar during the Indianapolis meet way back when. BigRichie may remember it. He was there, also. The NC statute is in GS-20 somewhere. It also gives the rules for antique/Horseless Carriage tag, insurance, plates, etc for reducing the cost of taxes on your old car. Charlie Charlie
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Bob, Here in NC is is illegal. In your former home of SC, it is probably legal. Who knows what goes on the minds down there? Anyway, while it is illegal to remove a tag, it would perfectly alright to do so as long as you had the title (with number) to back it up. Not worth prosecuting you for. I intend to get a new plate for my project car. It got lost in the shuffle with the company that installed the floor pans. I may come across it but I'm not going to worry about it. I have the title with the serial number on it. My physolosophy is to let them look for the serial number all they want and try to prove to me that the car is missing from someone else's garage. I'd like to know where they would find the "hidden" serial number anyway. I've been told that it is above the frame at the left rear wheel. But I got that information from Bob Wingate in a similar during the Indianapolis meet way back when. BigRichie may remember it. He was there, also. The NC statute is in GS-20 somewhere. It also gives the rules for antique/Horseless Carriage tag, insurance, plates, etc for reducing the cost of taxes on your old car. Charlie Charlie  Thanks for your comments, Charlie. It would appear that making a copy of a serial number tag would be illegal, no matter what state. F.Y.I, I migrated to your state of N.C. from north GA, not S,C. Regarding your lost plate for your project car. Ask the folks who did your floor pans. The "lost plate" is probably now part of your floor pans. 
1951 Chevy Styleline Deluxe 2 door sedan / purchased from second owner 6-19-2000.
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