[ossiblue]

You are right, this same issue has been discussed many times before, and there has been no definitive answer. But to some of the questions you raised, IMO, you've answered them by the fact that you've raised them.

"So why not cut a portion of the 73 front clip/dash/a pillar out and weld it into the 87 carrera tub? Now for some reason we are "tampering". Where have we gone wrong? Is it in the intent? Is it in the % of how much of the original titled car is left? Is it in the definition of what "is" is?"

It is indeed the intent, that's why there are such strict laws against tampering. There's probably is no legally defined "line" where % of metal must remain but swapping vin's, which is what you are describing regardless of the amount of metal surrounding the number, is what this is all about. It's about what a "reasonable person" would consider as the intent, regardless of the hair-splitting on amount of metal cut or what "is" is. That will be the DMV's point of view, and it will be up to you to prove it is not a VIN swap. We, on this board, are free to disagree on where restoration ends and VIN swapping begins, but at the end of the day, you will be dealing with the DMV and they don't need to ascribe to "innocent until proved guilty."

"Grady, your scenario seems plausible but at what point are you just creating way too much work for yourself?"

Again, this question contains the answer. Once you deem the project as creating too much work and begin to consider just a VIN swap, you've shown your intent. A VIN swap is much easier, that's why its illegal. Of course most of us would choose to do that if it was legal and there were clearly defined rules on when restoration becomes a VIN swap, but there isn't. The DMW will look at this as the U. S. Supreme Court Justice looked at pornography--"I can't tell you what it is, but I know it when I see it." As far as VIN tampering goes, I think we all know it when we see it--regardless of rationalizations.