Excellent elicitation. Being an optimist with a long-standing interest in C-300’s (dating back to June 1955, or so), my speculation is thus: An owner was having the car restored and the spot-welded VIN tag was knocked off. The car may have traded after that. If the VIN was not on the registration papers—or not even researched, a later restoration shop and the new owner wanted it to be as original as possible so purchased a reproduction tag based on the readily-available engine S/N. Through ignorance, not avarice. Is the VIN also stamped elsewhere on the car? Perhaps behind the heater box? Or, someone found a wrecked or damaged C-300, transferred the C-300 goodies to a Windsor or New Yorker and “made” a C-300 out of it. That would require removing and replacing the old VIN tag. As you say, illicitation. The picture of the engine S/N shows the CI flat to be either cruddy, corroded or damaged (ground off and re-stamped???). I note the steering-wheel hub does not have the words “POWER STEERING” on it. This matches the unusual situation that the car does not have power steering which was standard equipment as I recall. The shots of the headliner are not encouraging that they are the original, unique pattern. The bidding can go on for five days but is stuck at $8,100. A steal—one way or another. It would be worthwhile to take a quick look at the microfilm records for the C-300’s and reverse-engineer the proper VIN that goes with the given engine S/N. Might scan the 2400-2500 VIN range. Each of these surviving letter cars is precious and worth a little R&D to bring them back to the fold—or to make sure they never darken our door if found to be illicit. Maybe its just the Christmas season. Rich Barber Brentwood, CA From: Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of 'Ron Waters' ronbo97@xxxxxxxxxxx [Chrysler300]
Sent: Thursday, December 14, 2017 7:39 AM
To: Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: RE: [Chrysler300] Fwd: Bring a Trailer Daily Mail - 55 C-300 up for auction >I though my post would illicit some responses!!! I think the word you are looking for is 'elicit'. Illicit describes what this guy is doing with his forged VIN plate. I would avoid that car at all costs. I'm glad our club keeps good records. A lot of scam artists out there. Ron
From: Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Plotkin Associates plotkin_associates@xxxxxxxxxxx [Chrysler300]
Sent: Thursday, December 14, 2017 9:25 AM
To: John Grady; David Schwandt; mark love
Cc: Yahoo Group, Chrysler 300; Rich Barber
Subject: RE: [Chrysler300] Fwd: Bring a Trailer Daily Mail - 55 C-300 up for auction I though my post would illicit some responses!!! Amazing what is being portrayed as far as legit cars for sale on different websites. On December 14, 2017 at 9:15 AM David Schwandt <finsruskw@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote: What makes the first clown on the remarks section think these cars were run at Datona w/o safety equipment??LOL He must think this very car was one of them! I agree, the engine number IS NOT the VIN number.’ These hot shot sales guys should do their research.
Not sure they even had pop rivets in 1955 ! Smile . A genius did this.
Maybe a bit more light on the subject using my Imperial as an example, with some pics. My 55 Imperial C5510042 (see image) has engine stamp CE5510018 (see image). Both have been authenticated by FCA as correct, (see image). The VIN plate has not been over painted. The fastening shows differently. Different typography and kerning of the type is different. Depth of the VIN plate and stamping methods are different. I have been advised that the engines were built up to a month before they went in the cars and so again advised that the engine number stamping is a number lower than the VIN plate for the car. That’s how mine lines up. I would concur that the VIN plate in question (see image) looks like a do-over. <IMG_2448.jpeg><IMG_1523.jpeg><IMG_1602.jpeg><IMG_8098..jpeg> VIN is advertised and photographed as 3N55 2517. Club registry has that VIN as a Barrett-Jackson black car. A photo shows the engine S/N to be 3NE55 2517. Precisely identical VIN & Engine S/N numbers are highly unlikely with VIN typically less than engine S/N. VIN tag is painted over as per photo and has the appearance of being a reproduction as the originals had all raised numbers and letters, as is the one on this car—but in an entirely different format. Estimated VIN would be: 3N55 2460-2500. There are many Platinum C-300’s in our registry in that range. Missing our white C-300 and hoping it finds a new owner to give it a good home. https://www.volocars.com/auto-sales/vehicles?q%5Byear_eq%5D=1955 VIN: 3N551198, engine 3NE551098. I said “typicallyonormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt;background:white'> ---------- Original Message ----------
From: Bring a Trailer <mail@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: plotkin_associates@xxxxxxxxxxx
Date: December 13, 2017 at 8:15 AM
Subject: Bring a Trailer Daily Mail
| Restored 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280SE 3.5 Coupe
16K-Mile 1981 Maserati Merak SS
1995 Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe 6-Speed
12K-Mile 2000 Dodge Viper GTS ACR
1957 Mercedes-Benz 220S Cabriolet
1974 Alfa Romeo GTV
1959 Porsche 356A Coupe
| | Sold for $325,000 | | | Sold for $20,000 | | | Sold for $66,000 | | | Sold for $11,250 | | | Sold for $28,755 | | | Sold for $5,900 | | | Sold for $12,250 | | | Sold for $168,500 | | | Sold for $17,500 | | | Sold for $8,950 | | | Sold for $14,000 | | | Sold for $26,000 | | | Sold for $135,000 | | | Sold for $18,790 | | | Sold for $15,750 | | | Sold for $15,000 | | | Bid to $4,000 | | | Bid to $33,333 | | | Bid to $46,000 | | | Bid to $10,000 | | | Bid to $23,500 | | | Bid to $8,800 | | | Bid to $6,000 | | | Bid to $54,500 |
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