Every time the rod magazines publish an article about the 69 crate Camaro body, they do a tap dance around the legal issues of getting it registered for street use. The December 2005 Hot Rod explains:
"Everyone also asks us about legally registering a new Dynacorn body, and there is no clean answer since laws vary drastically fron state to state. It's safe to say that the new bodies can be used to re-body an existing '69 Camaro in virtually any state, though the laws about how the VIN will either be reaffixed or reassigned will differ. The bodies also come with serial numbers (not VINs) of their own, and some states will let you use those to register a car built from scratch, though sometimes in will end up registered as a homebuilt rather than as a Camaro. In those cases you are often required to build the car yourself rather than have a shop do it for you. Basically, you need to investigate the laws of your home state, plus get with a local Motor Vehicles office to get its interpretation of the state law."
That last line is the most important. You need to find out what is acceptable with your own state DMV before spending this sort of money. They can and will interpret their state laws by their own established policy.
Sure, you can "rebody" an existing Camaro. Then what do you do, switch the VIN tag? I don't think so, but that seems to be what the article is hinting at.
"1366 Trafficking in Certain Motor Vehicles or Motor Vehicle Parts
Section 2321 of Title 18 makes it an offense to deal in motor vehicles or motor vehicle components knowing that the identification numbers have been falsified or removed. The term "identification number" is identical to the definition in 18 U.S.C. § 511.
There is no need to prove that such vehicles or parts have been transported in interstate or foreign commerce. Neither 18 U.S.C. § 2321 nor § 511 cover the simple possession of a vehicle or component with a falsified or removed identification number. Section 511 is limited to the person who removes or falsifies the identification number or who aids or abets such conduct. Section 2321 covers the trafficker in such vehicles or components, not a mere possessor. The component parts covered by 18 U.S.C. § 2321 are identical to those covered by 18 U.S.C. § 511. See this Manual at 1375
Section 2321 of Title 18 should be of assistance in dealing with the various salvage switch schemes (sometimes referred to as "VIN switching," "retagging" or "replating") where the VIN of a salvage motor vehicle and its "papers" (i.e., title) are transferred to a stolen motor vehicle of the same make and model. In executing this motor vehicle theft scheme, the defendant purchases or acquires a salvage vehicle at an insurance auction. He then steals or has stolen a vehicle of similar make and model year and then transfers the VIN of the salvage vehicle to the stolen vehicle. He then disposes of the stolen vehicle under its new identity. Because passenger cars from model year 1970 to date have been required by the Department of Transportation (DOT) to have VIN plates, 18 U.S.C. § 2321 would apply to any passenger car VIN switch occurring after the date of enactment (October 25, 1984). However, since the DOT component parts marking program began with model year 1987, violations of 18 U.S.C. § 2321, based on altered, removed, or obliterated parts identification numbers, could not occur until after introduction of the 1987 model year limits. The VINs of most other road vehicles are covered from model years 1981 to date. See this Manual at 1374 (Effective Date).
For a discussion of proving violations of 18 U.S.C. § 2321, see this Manual at 1376. "
I don't think it will matter if you have proof of ownership of the new body and the old VIN tag. The law concerns itself directly with "falsified or removed identification number".
"SUMMARY: Illegally removing or altering a vehicle identification number (VIN) or selling or possessing a motor vehicle or motor vehicle part with an altered or removed VIN constitutes a crime in most states. In order to impose liability, state courts normally require a culpable mental state on the part of the defendant in altering or removing a VIN or in possessing a vehicle or vehicle part with an altered or removed VIN. Some states, however, do not require any culpable mental state on the part of the defendant when selling a vehicle or vehicle part with a removed or altered VIN."
Some of the experts in this field of building new repli-cars are finding themselves attracting unwanted attention too. Read the storys:
"Additionally, SRM learned that law enforcement officials, it is believed were California Highway Patrol, recently visited the Labor Day Cruise, held annually in Costa Mesa at the fairgrounds, looking for "suspicious" vehicles. When asked what constituted a "suspicious vehicle" it was determined that any fiberglass car is suspect."
"To correct a common misunderstanding of California law, it is a felony to do the following: 1. Register a vehicle where the year of vehicle is misrepresented; 2. Register a vehicle where the value of the vehicle is understated; or 3. Register a vehicle where the year of the vehicle is misrepresented to avoid compliance with California smog laws."
The way to find out if you can register one of these aftermarket Camaros would be to schedule an appointment with an MVA representative who has the authority to make decisions. Listen to his advice without arguing. It's his way or the highway. If he lays out steps that you can construct and title this repli-car, don't let the project lanquish. The rules could change before you finish or your contact could change jobs or positions if too much time passes.
Certainly, you don't want to "rebody" a 69 Camaro onto an existing VIN tag to see if that will slide.
