vin replacement?

[antiqueronnie]

hello, I have a perfect 993 tub that was salvage titled in Texas, I am not sure why it doesn't have a dent in it? maybe it was a theft recovery? anyway I have a wrecked 964 that has a clean title I was going to switch what parts worked over to the 993 tub, I want to register here in california as a 993 when it's done but it sucks it's a salvage title since it was never in an accident, does anyone have any ideas? could I buy a vin and title say off a race car? should I forget the project? any help would be great...

[TMc993]

I think that once a salvage title is attached to a car, that's it...Also, loading up a 993 chassis with 964 parts, then representing it as a 993 would probably be considered fraud in most states.

[swbstudios]

You can't do it legally. Vin swaps get your car impounded and you arrested. probably the only way would be to either repair the 964 or build the 993 and use either its salvaged VIN or an assigned VIN if the numbers are gone from the tub.

[antiqueronnie]

Originally Posted by swbstudios

You can't do it legally. Vin swaps get your car impounded and you arrested. probably the only way would be to either repair the 964 or build the 993 and use either its salvaged VIN or an assigned VIN if the numbers are gone from the tub.

the the vin swap isn't a good idea for sure. I think I'm better off getting an assigned vin than going with the salvaged vin? a salvaged vin has a real negative if I ever go to sale it someday, what do you think?

[antiqueronnie]

Originally Posted by TMc993

I think that once a salvage title is attached to a car, that's it...Also, loading up a 993 chassis with 964 parts, then representing it as a 993 would probably be considered fraud in most states.

well since the suspension is different the only parts off the 964 I was planning on using actually was the engine, wiring and tranny, which is a 3.6 just like the 993 originally had, I have a full 993 interior and have found most of the suspension pieces, the car will be a 993 I would just have to disclose it had a 964 drive train to keep it fair to a buyer,

[swbstudios]

Originally Posted by antiqueronnie

the the vin swap isn't a good idea for sure. I think I'm better off getting an assigned vin than going with the salvaged vin? a salvaged vin has a real negative if I ever go to sale it someday, what do you think?

A salvage title isn't the end of the world. If you document the excellent condition of the tub and the rebuild, I'd think prospective buyers would certainly take that into consideration. You won't be selling the car to the matching numbers crowd regardless. You may have an issue if you try to export the car as some countries won't allow the importation of a salvage titled vehicle. There might also be an issue with some insurance companies, although I've never had a problem getting insurance.

[jb 911]

IMO a vin assignment would be a waste of time and effort. Presumably its going to look nothing like a 90's Porsche vin in any shape or form. The only benefit would be it didn't have 'salvage' attached to it, but besides that what else? If it's only your car, who cares? If you changed it to a new vin I think it would be a huge turn off to a buyer. It would be to me anyway. Much rather see a documented build with an original VIN than some random number. There is a lot of interesting data in a Porsche vin too. That would be lost. Just my opinion...

[boba]

Given what you have in parts it will be a frankenPorsche. The 3.6 from the 964 will be different than a 993. Depending on the year of the engine and the tub they could be quite different. The 993 would be a 6 speed and the 964 is a 5 speed gearbox. At this point the salvage title is the least of the issues, in fact it helps partially explaines the mismatch. If building it for yourself to drive and have fun with, go for it. If this is a commercial project, you could get upside down very easily.

[antiqueronnie]

Originally Posted by jb 911

IMO a vin assignment would be a waste of time and effort. Presumably its going to look nothing like a 90's Porsche vin in any shape or form. The only benefit would be it didn't have 'salvage' attached to it, but besides that what else? If it's only your car, who cares? If you changed it to a new vin I think it would be a huge turn off to a buyer. It would be to me anyway. Much rather see a documented build with an original VIN than some random number. There is a lot of interesting data in a Porsche vin too. That would be lost. Just my opinion...

ya good points,,, I think I'll stick with the original vin and really document the build play by play, I'll have no more than 20k in it done and that will be an all steel turbo bodied cabriolet, ya I know they never made one, I want the look for me, the general public won't know the difference or care right? I've been accumulating 993 parts for 8 years now and really hate to throw in the towel... thanks for all you good advice ron

[efhughes3]

Thank goodness one can't swap VINs, at least legally.