What's with this 6?, a factory six vin with a later front clip? Options

[jhynesrockmtn]

An acquaintance in our local PCA club emailed some pics of a supposed factory 6 a family is trying to sell after the death of the long term owner. I'm no expert, but if a 6 (and the VIN looks right) it looks like it has a 75/76 front clip on it. I'm supposed to get a write up from the son explaining the history. The goal at this point is to educate the family more about what they have and potential value. The front of the car is a bit of a mess.

Any advice on what to look for in terms of verifying what this thing is? I've suggested they look for the VIN stamping in the rear trunk floor, the plaque in the front trunk looks to be gone or painted over.

I've not seen any engine pics yet.

[Cairo94507]

I agree, that would be a problem. God forbid that would happen to anyone but I would photo the car with the crashed area and showing the stamped VIN. I would then send the car to the best metal craftsman one could find to get that section of the car repaired.

I have seen some damaged cars get straightened out with time, patience and skill. I was fortunate my car was never hit hard before I got her. Sure, we replaced 3 of the 4 corners and the nose panel, but that really was not that bad. Were it not for the damage done by the VA shop, my metal work would have been minor in comparison.

Swapping the original stamped metal VIN into another inner fender is troubling and really a slippery slope as the possibility of fraud raises its ugly head.

[Superhawk996]

I agree, that would be a problem. God forbid that would happen to anyone but I would photo the car with the crashed area and showing the stamped VIN. I would then send the car to the best metal craftsman one could find to get that section of the car repaired.

I have seen some damaged cars get straightened out with time, patience and skill. I was fortunate my car was never hit hard before I got her. Sure, we replaced 3 of the 4 corners and the nose panel, but that really was not that bad. Were it not for the damage done by the VA shop, my metal work would have been minor in comparison.

Swapping the original stamped metal VIN into another inner fender is troubling and really a slippery slope as the possibility of fraud raises its ugly head.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

Thorough documentation is the key to justification of what happened and how it was fixed. Unfortunately far too many /6's out there in circulation with shady, undocumented history going back to the days when they weren't worth much. The higher prices go, the more we'll see repairs trying to hide the fact that accident damage has occurred somewhere along the way.

At least in this case the swap is obvious and pretty easy to see what has happened - I get concerned the more someone tries to hide that fact.