Here's a question, I understand that vin swapping is illegial.

But if you bought this and lifted that body off and placed yours on it, as long as it passed emissions testing (if needed in your area), would it be legal?

 

I was always under the assumption that the VIN was more connected to the frame of the vehicle and not the body, per se. As Sol suggested, that wouldn't be any different than just replacing all of the body panels, assuming I'm reading his post right.

 

I think your following me. With unibodies, there really is no frame on cars. People do engine swaps all the time, and that legal. I understand there is extensive modifications here, but if I dropped my body, and it's licensed now, why couldn't I still keep it licensed?

Wouldn't be worth the $$$$ by a long shot, but still curious.

 

You might get away with that until caught or ,forbid, there was an accident. Depends on the state and local DMV rules....... Most would call for a complete inspection, safety and emissions..... I doubt it would pass most states safety inspections.

 

Unless you completely gutted the interior and swapped it with yours, maybe... there is that little metal VIN plate at the base of the dash on the drivers side that would need to be swapped... and from what I understand about law, that's fraud.

 

If you lift the entire body off, down to and including the floorboards, you get the vin plate under the dash. I'm talking everything non electrical. Granted, the stock electrical connections for the motor won't work....

Kinda like if someone with an older truck bends the frame, buys a doner truck and swaps everything over to the new frame. Full cab swap over.

 

But there's no frame on the HHR........ making it a little more difficult.

 

http://www.barrett-jackson.com/appli...&aid=283&pop=1

Yeah, BJ makes a disclaimer that THE VEHICLE IS NOT CERTIFIED TO COMPLY WITH ANY FEDERAL, STATE OR LOCAL LAWS, RULES OR REGULATIONS AND MAY NOT BE DRIVEN ON PUBLIC ROADS. This vehicle will be conveyed to Buyer with a "scrap" title. **TITLE IN TRANSIT**

for 44 grand?

 

So, an engine swap is out of the question, if I had say 40,000 and a Camaro SS drivetrain and suspension, and paid a reputable shop to do the work, I couldn't drive it?

 

That would depend on where you lived, local laws for modified vehicles........ The cars in question by the OP..... no! (sadly)