[Chrysler300] Hiddin VIN's

["Rich Barber" <c300@xxxxxxx>]

John McAdams:

I agree that it would be inappropriate to respond to the server.  I'm more
curious as to when the hidden VIN's started appearing than where the hidden
VIN's may be on my 1955. But, I remain curious about the many details of my
car and believe that information should be available to buyers to help
achieve caveat emptor. 

One member responded with the information that the last four digits of the
original engine S/N on '56 300-B's was stamped on the right front frame
horn.  That data could confirm that part of the frame was original.  John
Hertog's knowledge of hidden VIN locations is limited to the 1960-62 models.

I Googled "hidden VIN" and got a lot of hits, mostly about using a VIN
search to find hidden defects.  One Oregon DMV form indicated an inspecting
officer might check the hidden VIN's when registering a car, so law
enforcement must have a secret code book.  I watched the CA DMV inspect my
vehicles when I brought them into CA, but they mostly focused on the
emission control systems.  That did not take too long on my C-300.

For a somewhat generic location guide see:  

http://www.moparts.com/Tech/Archive/misc/24.html

Text from another site (Pidgin English not edited):

Where can I find my car VIN number?

As the number of theft growing, manufacturer's put more and more VIN number
stickers and engravement to many parts of the vehicle. With the new vehicle
tracking sytem such as Lo Jack, police can track a stolen vehicle within
hours, giving the thief no time to remove all the VIN number stickers that
are in many places and hidden somewhere on the car parts.

The VIN number can be found by looking at the dashboard on the driver side
of the vehicle. If the VIN# cannot be found, open the driver side door and
look at the door post (where the door latches when it is closed). 

Common locations of the vehicle identification number (VIN) vary but the
following are places to look: 

Firewall of the vehicle 
Left hand inner wheel arch 
Steering column 
Radiator Support Bracket 
Dash by windshield 
Drivers door or post on passenger side 
Guarantee & Maintenance Book 
Vehicle documents 
Machined Pad on front of engine 
Component parts as listed above -eg- engine, frame, etc.

As regards 1955 Chrysler 300 convertibles, they must exist.  

See ebay 7021110166

C-300'ly,
Rich Barber
Brentwood, CA
1955 C-300 3N551098, engine: 3NE551198

-----Original Message-----
From: Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On
Behalf Of John Mc Adams
Sent: Thursday, April 06, 2006 10:23 AM
To: Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx; 'Rich Barber'
Subject: RE: [Chrysler300] Hiddin VIN's

Rich and all:

As our esteemed Mr. Hertog so eloquently explained, the location of the
Hidden, or Secret Numbers should remain a secret to make it more difficult
for unscrupulous people to counterfeit a real letter car.

Please, let us try to uphold the dignity and decorum of the 300 Club Intl.
and LEAVE THESE NUMBER LOCATIONS SECRET for the very reason that the factory
deemed it necessary to add them in secret locations in the first place.

If you absolutely MUST know all the secrets in the World, send an inquiry
directly to Mr. John Hertog.

............................................................................
>For common sense reasons, we all prefer not to publish the location of all<
>"secret numbers", as we affectionately refer to them. No need giving<
>dishonest people more information than they already may have. This<
>information is available to any Club member on a private basis. <

>Please do not publish this information on this listserver. All listserver<
>e-mails are viewable by the general public, in various ways. Thanks for<
>your cooperation. <

>John Hertog<
............................................................................

Again, as John Hertog said, "THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION",

John Mc Adams
(In SoCal)


-----Original Message-----
From: Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On
Behalf Of Rich Barber
Sent: Thursday, April 06, 2006 9:22 AM
To: 'Gary Barker'; john_nowosacki@xxxxxxxxxxx
Cc: Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [Chrysler300] Hiddin VIN's

Does anyone know when the practice of hidden VIN's began?  And, if used in
1955, where these numbers might be found?  
I recall this used to be a big secret used by law enforcement to track and
recovered stolen and chopped cars but believe it may not have begun until
the '60's.

C-300'ly,
Rich Barber
Brentwood, CA
1955 C-300 3N551198

-----Original Message-----
From: Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On
Behalf Of Gary Barker
Sent: Thursday, April 06, 2006 12:26 AM
To: john_nowosacki@xxxxxxxxxxx
Cc: Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [Chrysler300] Controversy

Many cars have I.D.numbers stamped in hidden places.  Sometimes on the 
radiator support,  under weather strips   behind accessories ,  on 
brackets and also on hidden places on there frames.    Gary Barker 

john_nowosacki@xxxxxxxxxxx wrote:

>Wow, I didn't know unibody cars had a stamping.  Why a separate piece of
metal spot welded to a piece of metal that already was stamped?
>Where is this stamp usually located?  I'd like to try and find it on my
car.
>If it is down low, like underneath a door sill plate or something like
that, then for the purposes of our discussion it is long-gone due to the
rust that is the whole reason for wanting to re-body in the first place.
>John
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On
Behalf Of Jess Miklas
>Sent: Wednesday, April 05, 2006 1:31 PM
>To: Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>Subject: [Chrysler300] Controversy
>
>I am enjoying this discussion with an open mind!
>
>May I go one step further for my own satisfaction...
>
>Let's remember that the replacement unibody "cabin" (as it has been
referrred to) also has its  own stamped identifying numbers that correspond
to the data plate/microfilm. Are we then talking about cutting out those
numbers as well and welding them into the "new" body? If you don't, then you
will have a finished car that sports two different sets of identifying
numbers.
>
>What about the case of the 300 C frame now? The owner saved the VIN tag but
appearantly did not save the unibody stamped numbers. Such as then, there
can NEVER BE a totally matching number body on that 300C frame.
>
>Sorry to add to the flames but I really would like get to the bottom of
this once and for all... although I believe in the past that Gil Cunningham
eloquently and correctly put the matter to bed.
>
>Thanks 
>
>Jeff Miklas



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