Cowl repair and partial vin

[Impatient '71]

Good day everyone! I have been reading some of the older threads about Fender Tags and reproductions and understand the controversy surrounding them. What no one else seems to mention though is the partial VIN stamped around the car when doing repairs or replacing parts. Take for instance, if someone was swapping an upper cowl or radiator core support from another car due to rust issues, is it dishonest to cut out the original partial VINs and weld them on the replacement part or is that considered acceptable practice to keep the car "numbers matching"?

 

[Bighouse]

Do what you want. Me- I’d cut it out and patch it into the new panel if the area is still good.

My charger- I replaced all the rear end metal, but reused the trunk gutters and taillight panel so it still existed

 

[RemCharger]

from another car due to rust issues, is it dishonest to cut out the original partial VINs and weld them on the replacement part

It would be more dishonest not to

or is that considered acceptable practice to keep the car "numbers matching"?

Not only acceptable, but highly encouraged

 

[hunt2elk]

No doubt about it, cut out and weld those numbers back into your new metal.

 

[eldubb440]

in 1988 I outsmarted myself........

my car had minor collision damage on the left 1/4 (and a little rust). I bought a decent full quarter for it and wanted to save all the visible spot welds; I replaced the inner, the wheelhouse, everything........including my left trunk gutter....... I had no idea until years later

but my radiator support and fender tag are mint, so......