1968 camaro rebody
 

I know there are a lot of opinions out there on this topic and i have read a lot of posts, but i am still unclear on rebodying a unibody. I may just not understand it completely, so bear with me...I plan on purchasing a complete 1968 camaro shell to rebody my 1968 camaro. Is there any component from the original body that i need to keep in order to reinstall the front clip or rear end? in fact, i am going to be purchasing a complete front/rear system from speed tech, so do i need any of the original car to complete this? I am also in the works of deciphering the state regulations on obtaining a "reconstruction" title for my car and it seems like i may need to hand on to the original car for documentation purposes? Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

Are you buying an aftermarket body? If so what does the manufacture say about getting their bodies registered? It'd also help to know what state you're in, some states are easy, others not so much.

I would think if you're getting a complete aftermarket body it will be ready to bolt the front and rear suspension to it. If you've got the room keep the spare body around until you had the majority of the new one together....it's easier, for me anyway, to see how it comes apart when it's going back together, that and you'll be needing every little nut, bolt, fastener blah diddy blah.

I'm not sure how Camaros are tagged but swapping numbers from one to the other seems pretty easy....may be illegal, who knows?

Is the original that bad?

"I am also in the works of deciphering the state regulations on obtaining a "reconstruction" title for my car and it seems like i may need to hang on to the original car for documentation purposes?" varies state to state. let us know how it works out for you.

Can attest to this.

Just registered a 'kit car'. Was ridiculously easy in MN, can't say that for other states.

Swapping VIN tags is Federal crime. You can not take the tag off the old body and attach it to the new one

thanks for the replys. I will report back when i get everything figured out as far registering the car LEGALLY. I dont plan on swapping VIN's.

You're no fun:D I get it and kinda figured. Let me ask this, what is the process for these guys that buy a car, get it blasted and find the only usable part is the inner roof structure? All panels are replaced, aftermarket clip and rear set up, motor, transmission....How much of the original needs to be kept? Title, vin and?

How would the DMV know ?
It looked like a '68 camaro, now it looks like a '68 Camaro.
it has a VIN tag in the proper place. My state doesn't have inspections (only emissions) so there is no point in time where an "inspector" would questin the validity of the VIN tag. May vary in your state.
As long as there are no "mysteries" tied to the existing VIN and no other chicanery or another car doesn't pop up with the VIN.
OR -if you are a pro shop turning out multiple cars.
otherwise I would not worry about it.
But to the OP, you certainly need to do what you feel is best for your situation I don't disparage you at all for being 100% up and up.

What do you mean by re-body? If you are buying a shell like dyna-corn or from real deal steel, these are considered kit cars and they come with state of origin paper so you can get them registered. If you have the title for your car and are replacing some or all your sheet metal you don't have to get a different title, just fix it and enjoy. That's how it works in wva not sure where you are.

The rivets will be carefully examined and are a tip off to a swapped VIN tag.

Don

It's a touchy deal. Guys that replace the cowl area of their cars have to drill the rivets, and replace the rivets after paint. Other guys, like myself, pull the vin, and cowl tag before blasting, to keep the pieces from bring hurt from the blasting process, plus there is usually some surface rust under the cowl tag anyway, so off it goes.
I started with a very rusty shell at first, that we pulled out of the woods. It had a tree growing up through the engine compartment. But anything can be fixed, right? Well a quote for $10K to replace basically the entire car, minus the driver quarter, and I said no thanks, I can buy a donor car cheaper, and I did. So I put the rusty 70' Chevelle shell on Craigs List, and I had 4 phone calls from guys that straight up told on on the phone, that all they wanted off of it, was the VIN. One guy even told me he would give me $1500.00 just for the VIN...I crushed the car.
Swapping VIN numbers is a crime, but removing one for damage repair/paint is not, as long as it goes back on the same car. Unfortunately these get swapped and that's how hard working folks like us end up losing our cars during a theft. Sad but true.

I cant imagine doing a full restoration and not re-painting behind the vin tag. Rosette rivets can be purchased online. As others are saying, dont put a vin from a old body onto a new shell.

I am looking at ordering a body from real deal steel. I am in new mexico, and i have been reviewing the laws. it will either be registered as a "reconstructed" or "home built" vehicle, depending on how one interprets the language. Either way, i am not trying to build a car to sell. building one with all the components of my choosing, and probably keep in the family for long time. not trying to fool anybody. thanks for all the input guys. will definitely need some more as i progress through the build.

This has always. Been a touchy subject.

My DMV checks the hidden stamped partial VIN stamped on the cowl.

I check when I buy a car

But I know of guys the replace all the sheet metal on entire car except a couple inches around the tags.

The purpose of the swapping tag laws are to keep swapped tags off stolen cars.

Unless your body has been in a bad accident and bent beyond repair I would contact the AMD Installation Center and have them rebuild the original. You would be amazed at how much they can restore. Check out their web site it has a complete price list posted.

http://www.amdinstallation.com/

Thanks for all then reply. I have recently contacted AMD install center and it sounds great. I think i am going to go this direction. Just have to research shipping options. any advice/experience with particular companies?

How does that apply to a restored Camaro with a replaced upper dash? Most DMV people are idiots. Its the car guys that they can't get by.

In saying that, what would a person do if the part of the dash that the vin was attached to had to be replaced?

Sorry Mike, I didn't read page two before posting virtually the same question.

All it takes is one overzealous expert law officer and you could have a problem. I once dealt with the Dallas car theft task force. Unbelievably incompetent experts who concluded the original VIN tag on my 57 Belair was not original. I got the car from my neighbor who owned it for 50 years.

If it were me I would cut out the metal around the VIN tag and butt weld it into the new dash.

Don

I would think that welding the VIN on like that would make it even more obvious that something had been changed.

Not if it is metal finished and painted etc. Either that or find the correct rivets.

It's hard to appreciate the seriousness until you have dealt with some of these self proclaimed law enforcement experts.

Don