Removing ID Tags and hiding numbers.

**TwoTees** · 12-12-2010, 10:22 AM

Hi all!
I don't know if I am missing something here but why do people remove the body tags and/or hide numbers when displaying them.
If your car gets knocked off with the tags its useless as they can't use them to re-register/re birth it.
If they just pinch the tags, again they are useless other than as a souvenir.
Is it illegal to drive your car on the road without them fixed in position?
The hiding of serial numbers so people can't use them is also useless as you have the original numbers with your car and registration. If there was an issue you had them first so they would be in the wrong and be caught for fraud.

The way I see it is..... You own the car legally! If you tamper with them you are putting you and your car under scrutiny as a suspect fake and gaining nothing in the way of added security.

Does this sound right or am I missing something?

Cheers, Chris

**wbute** · 12-12-2010, 11:24 AM

I suppose people are just keen to keep things private out of habit. There is no use stealing the tags or chassis number as you say.
It seems that the numbers have become much more important than the car these days.

**ozbox** · 12-12-2010, 11:36 AM

in the case of highly collectible cars the theft of a tag will devalue the car regardless of any piles of paperwork or proof of originality..insurance companies have been known to pay out when a tag is stolen but only a partial amount therefore devalueing the car..
as for stealing of all the information and duplicating a car and selling it..
it can be done and by the time it comes to light the thief has done a runner and it is up to you who may own the original car to prove that it is original and not the stolen clone..
its called identity theft,its just done to cars..:Pirate:

**HK1837** · 12-12-2010, 01:00 PM

Yes, thieves are so stupid they have to copy the ID of an existing car. If they had half a brain they'd actually invent a car, they just need the information to do it. This is the reason why info that allows them to do that will be left out of the Sandman book, and why similar stuff was left out of The Monaro Facts/Story. I came across one many years ago, where someone had tried to fake a HZ Sandman. They had copied a Pagewood HZ ute, but changed the right stuff. Got caught up on the BODY plate though (BODY number matched the PSN off the VIN plate). Plus they didn't know there were different GVW's.

**TwoTees** · 12-12-2010, 07:57 PM

The reason I started to think about this is because my van will be going to stay at panel beaters and painters soon so I was wondering should I take them off. I certainly don't want to remove them but as you say, losing the tags will significantly devalue the van. Even if its just to some opportunistic wanker that might spot them while its parked outside the workshop who knocks them off to keep as a souvenir. I loose.

Am I just too paranoid?
Has anyone heard of this kind of thing happening?

Cheers, Chris

PS Byron, Do you have my tag info for your DB? http://www.mysandman.com.au/forums/a...tachmentid=723 Nothing out of the ordinary on this one

**Blocker** · 12-12-2010, 08:00 PM

I've removed my tags for the exact same reason, they will go back on when everything is complete.
But that's just me.

**Gaddy** · 12-12-2010, 08:57 PM

Chris My mate has a HK monaro, all original I believe. When it as at his mechanics a few years ago, some idiot scumbags broke in and ripped his tags off, as well as some chrome mouldings. From memory it was arount the time these cars were fetching stupid $$!!
His insurance paid him about 12K, But his heart was broken as no tags = No proof of its originality!!
He still loves it and is continuing to restore it slowly though..
I have seen an SS Torana at many shows with a blank Plate riveted over the Id Plate and on it he has engraved "Maybe" "Maybe Not"..
Im thinkin that when I take My Van to a panel beater or the like and know its gonna be there 4 a while.. My Tags will be in The Safe somewhere else!!

**agr071** · 12-12-2010, 10:04 PM

I have the tags off my HJ. They are put away for safe keeping.
I'm not to worried about the HZ tags,even though it has 308 & turbo 400 and seating capacity of 2.

**HK1837** · 13-12-2010, 07:54 AM

Originally Posted by TwoTees

PS Byron, Do you have my tag info for your DB? http://www.mysandman.com.au/forums/a...tachmentid=723 Nothing out of the ordinary on this one

No it's new to me. Is it 9/78 or 10/78?

The only thing I can't tell from that plate is its chassis number (can you PM that?). Does it have it's origional engine number recorded anywhere, and has it got its tyre placard?

My mate came across another atlantis blue 308 4spd HZ van (like yours) last week, which i'm going to go and look at. Hopefully it isn't just a Kingswood!

**jennie285** · 13-12-2010, 08:35 AM

the tags off the yellow van are in our safe, we took them off as we needed to paint the whole area where they go, we did however have a scare as we washed one off thankfully it was in a private wash bay at a lime quarry, which Rodney's brother worked at, and rang and said he had found it....although bent was in tact, we will put them back on when all finished, we have not removed the red van's tags, nor will we, and being a small country town, we are not concerned they will be stolen, the van is locked away each night in the panel beaters. Being in a major city who knows what vile degenerates lurk, who want to make a quick buck, :Pirate: so it is up to you....