[QUOTE=petemcl;17220290]I used a small, brass wire brush and acetone. The nice thing about the pictures is that when displayed on your computer you can zoom in on them. When taking the pictures try lighting at various angles.[/QUOTE Makes sense, brass is a softer metal, and acetone, well its strong enough to wear a decent mask. Thank you Pete.

 

[QUOTE=petemcl;17220169]If the frame VIN isn't readable and there are no data plates then nobody can prove that it has been stolen. You are innocent until proven guilty. Actually illegibility of the hidden serial numbers is quite common on old vehicles. I assume that you didn't get a title? How about a bill of sale? Most states have a way to title restored vehicles without this information. If the truck is not in good condition I think their attitude, as long as it isn't a rare vehicle, is "who would bother to steal it".




I respectfully disagree.....My legal expertise is Canadian, but word to the wise for the Canucks following this thread. If you're stopped by Police, and there is not a VIN that is legible, your vehicle can be seized to have an expert verify same. The caveat is that this would depend upon circumstances surrounding the incident, the information Police have at the time, and common sense. If they're speaking to a guy driving an old truck at a car show, not likely to happen. If they're pulling over a vehicle they deem suspicious for whatever reason, and can't find a VIN, it's a problem. Most Police Officers are not car experts, and if the circumstances they're dealing with are suspicious, or if there's any reason to suspect the vehicle has been re-VIN'd, they will seize it.

As I said, most cops are not old car/truck experts, so my advice would be to get a repro VIN (if your vehicle had one originally, some really old ones didn't), and put it on your truck or car. You may end up explaining why the VIN is in the glovebox, as opposed to on the dash, or the door pillar, but it will pass the smell test with law enforcement. Make sure you have copies of your registration, title and bill of sale as well, if you're concerned there will be confusion. Absence of a verifiable or distinguishable VIN could be cleared up roadside if you have the paperwork to back up what you're telling him/her.

 

Here in the U. S. the states issue you a replacement data plate and paper title along with your license plate.

 

Every time this subject comes up we see how much each country/state/county/locale vary. My 56 had NO visible number stamped on the frame. The San Diego County Sheriff's deputy with whom I spoke said, "stamp the number on the frame where is it supposed to be, it's better to have a number there than none at all". I have used VIN verifiers (never go to the DMV any more...bunch of ***** with an agenda) who don't even want to look at the frame because all they need is on the data plate. As for the OPs question, I would leave it well enough alone...if it was good enough for the bureaucrats when the truck was built, then it should be good enough now.

 

This thread reminded me of this on craigslist.
https://raleigh.craigslist.org/pts/6118569828.html

Basically that's all that is needed in NY.

 

On a 53 to 56 truck must the inner fender be removed to see the vin on the frame?

 

Ok thanks all for the advise and to recap i do have a title and a data plate from under the hood not the complete one from the glove box so if they cant prove it stolen i suppose 3 numbers in the middle are ok. It is titled in my name already and odds are they will never look at the frame.