VIN tampering
- Thread starter Canon_Mutant
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Oh, hey dudes, I should have put "rhetorical question" on my previous post. I'm not actually stressing over this decision.
Just seems like it
Had I not completely by accident run across that 2013 SL550, like 30K miles, for less than $40K I wouldn't have bothered to even share. Then an XK Jag with only 10K on the clock and that nearly perfect SL above for just over $40K with my name on the MMI display and thought that was funny. Then I saw a [$155K new] AMG, granted 2009 model, but only 16K miles can also be had for $40K and I had to take a WTF time out.
The only bad thing about like that 67 above is "my need" is to have a car nice enough to take on a long cruise if I feel up to it but not too nice that I cannot like drive it to the doctor, grocery, drug, or box store [unlike my 442 when I get it back together]. It only goes where I can keep my eye on it. That 67 above is a clone car so . . . not a real 442 but, other than that, the thing is nice enough it practically belongs in Daryl Starbird's lineup [almost]. That previous 72 Cutlass S was the perfect car for the need but after nearly getting it bought for $30K, the dude now wants $37K for it.
Like I said before . . . I suck at this!
So, got off on a bend of buying like a low mileage Benz or something similar someone else has eaten the overwhelming majority of the depreciation on? 30K mile [$125K new] SL550s can be had for less than $40K already depreciated by 2/3, 50K mile SL550s are still selling for $25K which is only ~ 1/3 from 40K so the curve does get better and I wouldn't drive it more than 2000-3000 miles per year. The only unknown is "if it breaks and what breaks?"
Just talking cars and e-thinking out loud as usual! 😵
Just seems like it
Had I not completely by accident run across that 2013 SL550, like 30K miles, for less than $40K I wouldn't have bothered to even share. Then an XK Jag with only 10K on the clock and that nearly perfect SL above for just over $40K with my name on the MMI display and thought that was funny. Then I saw a [$155K new] AMG, granted 2009 model, but only 16K miles can also be had for $40K and I had to take a WTF time out.
The only bad thing about like that 67 above is "my need" is to have a car nice enough to take on a long cruise if I feel up to it but not too nice that I cannot like drive it to the doctor, grocery, drug, or box store [unlike my 442 when I get it back together]. It only goes where I can keep my eye on it. That 67 above is a clone car so . . . not a real 442 but, other than that, the thing is nice enough it practically belongs in Daryl Starbird's lineup [almost]. That previous 72 Cutlass S was the perfect car for the need but after nearly getting it bought for $30K, the dude now wants $37K for it.
Like I said before . . . I suck at this!
So, got off on a bend of buying like a low mileage Benz or something similar someone else has eaten the overwhelming majority of the depreciation on? 30K mile [$125K new] SL550s can be had for less than $40K already depreciated by 2/3, 50K mile SL550s are still selling for $25K which is only ~ 1/3 from 40K so the curve does get better and I wouldn't drive it more than 2000-3000 miles per year. The only unknown is "if it breaks and what breaks?"
Just talking cars and e-thinking out loud as usual! 😵
D, with a big dose of C for a chaser
Seriously, though, I know how you feel. Have a couple projects that I can't seem to get anything done on, have strongly considered selling it all and buying something that I can just tinker with when the mood strikes. Too many irons in the fire, both automotive and not.
Good luck to you, sir!
Seriously, though, I know how you feel. Have a couple projects that I can't seem to get anything done on, have strongly considered selling it all and buying something that I can just tinker with when the mood strikes. Too many irons in the fire, both automotive and not.
Good luck to you, sir!
Well, they are a little too proud of that pretty blue resto above at $39,999 considering it is just a F85 turnpike cruiser, not a real 442. Nice car though . . .
But this one is a 442. I had the guy at $25K before when [thanks to fleming442's suggestion] I had him send me a pic of the block casting number and it has a 425 in it, not the 400E. So, I found an outfit called cmengines.com out of North Carolina that still has and builds 400 E block motors among others and I still have a spare virgin 400/425 crank and rods to use in the project to eventually build up a numbers matching 400. Anyway, I called the guy back today and told him I had located an outfit that can make me a numbers matching 400 for the car for ~ $5K and he said, my bad I wasn't intentionally trying to deceive you, just send me $20K then. Um, Deal!
This guy's niche is buying high end sports cars and SUVs at auction that have come off of lease and selling them which is how I even stumbled across his website looking at Jag XKRs and MB SL550s and I don't think he even knew what he had? So, drive it until I get my 442 back together, build up a numbers matching 400 for it later, might put a nicer 2.5" exhaust on it, and this car can easily bring $40K.
But this one is a 442. I had the guy at $25K before when [thanks to fleming442's suggestion] I had him send me a pic of the block casting number and it has a 425 in it, not the 400E. So, I found an outfit called cmengines.com out of North Carolina that still has and builds 400 E block motors among others and I still have a spare virgin 400/425 crank and rods to use in the project to eventually build up a numbers matching 400. Anyway, I called the guy back today and told him I had located an outfit that can make me a numbers matching 400 for the car for ~ $5K and he said, my bad I wasn't intentionally trying to deceive you, just send me $20K then. Um, Deal!
This guy's niche is buying high end sports cars and SUVs at auction that have come off of lease and selling them which is how I even stumbled across his website looking at Jag XKRs and MB SL550s and I don't think he even knew what he had? So, drive it until I get my 442 back together, build up a numbers matching 400 for it later, might put a nicer 2.5" exhaust on it, and this car can easily bring $40K.
Damn! You beat me to it!
Keep in mind, it won't be numbers matching even with a correct block as the VINs won't line up (body, frame, engine, and trans). Save your money, and run the 425.
Then, get a 455 block, offset grind that forged 425 crank, and build a screaming 468. Or, stick a turned down 425 crank in a DX......
Well, frankly, for what I'll use it for, that 425 will do just fine. They are a great engine. Someone told me [forget who] that far back they didn't have numbers matching VINs on the piece parts, just what part [and casting] numbers they should be? Not true? These cars don't even have a VIN tag, just a Cowl tag.
It looks like a good, solid car (maybe even frame off resto); just drive it.
Oldsmobile records were destroyed in a huge fire, so they are difficult to authenticate. They still had VINs on the major components.
Joe is correct; VIN tag is in the driver door jamb. The cowl tag is next to the wiper motor, and carries paint/trim colors.
The only thing I'd change is the wheels. Just my opinion, though....
Go do some burnouts, and enjoy it!
Oldsmobile records were destroyed in a huge fire, so they are difficult to authenticate. They still had VINs on the major components.
Joe is correct; VIN tag is in the driver door jamb. The cowl tag is next to the wiper motor, and carries paint/trim colors.
The only thing I'd change is the wheels. Just my opinion, though....
Go do some burnouts, and enjoy it!
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