VIN placement

aa909 · #1 (**permalink**) 12-28-2011, 04:07 PM

Hi Guys

Scheduled my appt with CHP here in Nor Cal and the officer asked if the car is fiber glass or aluminum. Evidently they hammer in two rivets to hold the VIN in place and they install two VIN plates, one has to be readily visible (under dash, door sill, etc) and one is hidden under the hood on the frame

I obviously don't want him hammering rivets into the fiberglass, so where would be the logical place to install the In-Cabin Vin plates? Is there a metal frame under the dash that is easily accessible (mind you I don't have the car yet so I'm in virgin territory)

Thanks
Art

Rwillia4 · #2 (**permalink**) 12-29-2011, 12:52 AM

In the door jam.

Steve Gallegos · #3 (**permalink**) 12-29-2011, 11:07 AM

If you have a Backdraft, it should have a VIN on the front crossmember and you should have that number on your buildsheet from Backdraft. Have them use it as the VIN, That's what they did on mine.

aa909 · #4 (**permalink**) 12-29-2011, 05:36 PM

Hi Guys

thanks for the feedback.

Steve, are you in CA? I will try to get them to use the ID number already on the car as the proxy for the VIN, but the CHP officer mention if it's non-confirming to standard CA VIN sequence (don't ask me what that means) they will need to apply a new number.

Worse case sounds like there is a metal frame in the door jam if they need to install a new vin plate. we'll see how it goes

Karl Bebout · #5 (**permalink**) 12-29-2011, 05:59 PM

Art, if your car isn't a FFR, its fiberglass is probably plenty thick enough for pop rivets to hold securely. Might even get away with it on an FFR, but their fiberglass is generally a lot thinner than other bodies.

jp65cobra · #6 (**permalink**) 01-04-2012, 02:41 PM

For my Backdraft in California the CHP used the Vin number from the front cross memeber as Steve pointed out. It does conform with what they need. If he is unfamiliar with the car just show it to him.

They were really nice guys down here in San Diego and I was in and out in minutes.

John

Steve Gallegos · #7 (**permalink**) 01-04-2012, 04:57 PM

I went to Woodland Hills CHP, they know what they are looking for. Call them for an appointment. One of the guys there owns a Backdraft. He spent 5 minutes on the car and 30 minutes talking about the car.

aa909 · #8 (**permalink**) 01-05-2012, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jp65cobra

For my Backdraft in California the CHP used the Vin number from the front cross memeber as Steve pointed out.

thanks John

I'll definitely point this out and ask them to use it, given the fact it's part of the cross member already it should add a level of security

btw, did the officer install a VIN plate in the cabin or was the cross member sufficient?

thanks
Art

Steve Gallegos · #9 (**permalink**) 01-05-2012, 07:47 AM

The crossmember was sufficient. I also have a plate from Backdraft that is fixed to the firewall with the VIN on it. That was added after the check.

aa909 · #10 (**permalink**) 01-05-2012, 10:28 AM

Thanks Steve, wish I was down in you neck of the woods sounds like you had it all worked out.

The CHP officer I spoke with was familiar with FFR, so I hope he accepts the existing VIN tags without needing to hammer in additional plates. Will let you guys know how it goes (car is on it's way so hope to have it early next week)

SkipB · #11 (**permalink**) 01-05-2012, 01:26 PM

Funny, on my Backdraft, the CHP said the number stamped into the chassis had the wrong number of digits. I don't remember whether it was too many or not enough. So, they riveted a plate on the doorjamb with the number they created. The fiberglass was not an issue (its pretty thick in that area), but said they did have an issue in the past with a Factory Five car. This was the San Diego CHP station off I5 near Mission Bay. I was also not allowed to watch them inspect the car or install the plate. Not sure why?

SkipB

jp65cobra · #12 (**permalink**) 01-05-2012, 01:29 PM

Art

He did not add a new plate. He used the Vin on the cross member and did his search to confirm the vin was good and not stolen etc.

John

aa909 · #13 (**permalink**) 01-05-2012, 03:58 PM

interesting experience you described there SkipB. Wonder why he wouldn't let you watch him inspect the car, that sounds fishy to me. I also just checked the Vin on my other 2 cars and then compared it to the ID on my Backdraft. All three have a total count of 17 (numbers + letters). we'll see how it goes in a few weeks...

jp65cobra · #14 (**permalink**) 01-05-2012, 04:23 PM

Now we know why Skip's car was always slower than mine. The CHP guy put a governor on his.

Intestesting also is that they did mine outside in the front parking lot at the El Cajon station.

Cashburn · #15 (**permalink**) 01-05-2012, 06:15 PM

There was a short run years ago that had an extra digit. I know that a 17 digit from a "kit car" company is rare.

SkipB · #16 (**permalink**) 01-08-2012, 08:14 AM

The CHP was very adamant about not letting me stay in the inspection area. Believe me, I tried and was escorted out. I was in there so we could locate a spot to install the inspection plate. The door jamb seemed to be the best spot. Once that was settled, I was sent to the waiting area. No CHP secrets were revealed!

As for my car being slower. I think that the inspection plate must have added too much weight to the drivers side of the car!

I had an early chassis #90, so it may have had the extra digit.