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Originally Posted by TT Oversteer

I think everyone agrees that it is illegal to alter a VIN especially with the intent to defraud or mislead, or to remove evidence from stolen property. That is not what I am discussing here.

f my 73 is destroyed to the point where the only recognizable part remaining is the section of metal where the VIN is stamped, is it still a car? Can I then rebuild it using 99% of another car that I legally own? Does the donor car have to legally cease to be a "car" and then become a salvage titled collection of parts for me to then cut out its VIN plate and weld what's left around my '73 VIN plate? Again, have I "altered" the VIN of the '87 or have I merely attached the salvaged '87 to my repaired '73?

In the end if nothing was stolen and there was no intent to defraud, have I "altered" a VIN or committed a felony?

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I would argue, the fact that you were putting a late model engine and transmission into an "early" year car VIN, would show intent to skirt the smog laws.
Who knows if it would hold up in court.
eric