Fake VIN number, 1970 needs one last number Options

[pgollender]

My 1970 with a california re-assigned ID number is ready to go back on the road after nearly 5 years of restoration. When I bought the car it had a California re-assigned ID number because of a falsified VIN. About 10 years ago there was an investigation by a Fresno police officer that used a Fry's method of recovering the real VIN. His investigation was almost successful, he identified and recovered NINE out of TEN digits. So the car is one of 10 possible.
If the group can help by supplying any of the missing known numbers that would greatly enhance the chance of restoring the true ID number of my vechicle by process of elimination>
This is the partial number: 4702905_48. Anybody that has that third digit could respond. If I get lucky, REALLY lucky, I'll have 9 responses. Any help is appreciated.

[sixnotfour]

Did he try the Frey method from top and underside....I saw a ground number you couldn't read from the top side but was easily read from underside .... it was a 76 retitled to a 72 in CA..

[pgollender]

Did he try the Frey method from top and underside....I saw a ground number you couldn't read from the top side but was easily read from underside .... it was a 76 retitled to a 72 in CA..

From the original CHP report, he did NOT apply Fry's solution to the inside of the fender well.
I can feel the "embossing" on the inside of the fenderwell, and can see a partial number there. I tried to use tracing paper over the area to get a reverse image but there wasn't enough detail.
I think I might try something pliable like clay or playdough to see if I can get more detail. I can see plainly the reverse image of 470 xx0xx4x when I flash an ordinary flashlight back and forth.
If the playdough doesn't work, I think I will experiment with a magenta filter (filters out green = color of the car)and black or red laser lights to see if I can get more contrast to bring out the missing digits, especially #8.... THEN I will be in business. I just joined PCA so I can pursue Tom and Andy's recommendations, but if I can sleuth it out on my own before asking for the COA, I'll feel that I've done my best research and can get a CHP officer to re-verify and attest to any results that I can produce.

Ya''all know what I'm talking about here. It's no different than any other part of the restoration of our 914's. It's the pain, penance and pride of doing it yourself.
This weekend:
Firing up the rebuild and tuning it from the stand I fabricated: