A Sad Story About a 1971 Chevy Cheyenne

[McNugget]

Originally Posted by Vintage Windmills

Hopefully they catch the lowlife who stole the truck. Hope you can get some compensation or something.

For the couple guys that said verify the VIN, how exactly do you know your "verification" is effective? Is there a national database of stolen vehicle VIN's that any cop can check? Or is it state by state? if state by state, you would have to verify with all 50 to know for sure?

The best way is just to look at the last 7 digits of the VIN number on your cab, and make sure that they are the same 7 digits on the frame right under the power steering box/above the drivers side wheel. Then you're a-okay. But its not a big deal if they don't anyway because the chances I believe are very slim to none that it would be stolen. You can also take it to your local Highway Patrol and they should have a VIN inspector that will take a look and can let you know.

[C20-67_N_MO]

Wow!

What an increable story.

Really hope things work out for you in the end.

[eagleuh1]

Was the truck a board members before being stolen? Posted as stolen here? Just courious. Jim. Good luck with your pursuit.

[1972hays]

X2 wow

[DANTIP]

Originally Posted by Vintage Windmills

Hopefully they catch the lowlife who stole the truck. Hope you can get some compensation or something.

For the couple guys that said verify the VIN, how exactly do you know your "verification" is effective? Is there a national database of stolen vehicle VIN's that any cop can check? Or is it state by state? if state by state, you would have to verify with all 50 to know for sure?

My only area of expertise would be making sure the cab, SPID, VIN-tag attachment, and frame are original/matching. Certainly, someone could go to great lengths cutting, welding, and painting parts together and make a truck appear authentic, but I feel pretty confident I (and many other board members) can ID most mis-matched parts.

As someone else mentioned, the police/license branch will determine if the VIN/vehicle is able to be registered (not stolen).

I know people that change frames, cabs, etc. and it always makes me concerned. I would avoid owning a truck I knew was assembled from donor parts with different VIN markings.

After hearing this story, it sounds possible for someone to register a truck in their name, sell the frame to someone that is restoring a truck, wait until it's restored, report the truck stolen, and have the restored truck given back to them. Sounds far fetched, but not that different from this story.

[Vintage Windmills]

Originally Posted by DANTIP

My only area of expertise would be making sure the cab, SPID, VIN-tag attachment, and frame are original/matching. Certainly, someone could go to great lengths cutting, welding, and painting parts together and make a truck appear authentic, but I feel pretty confident I (and many other board members) can ID most mis-matched parts.

Good info in your response, hope its ok if we discuss further for educating all who read this.

I noticed you listed cab and VIN tag. Is there a Vin stamped into the cab sheetmetal itself? I thought it was just the tag riveted to the cab.

Originally Posted by DANTIP

As someone else mentioned, the police/license branch will determine if the VIN/vehicle is able to be registered (not stolen).

Is it national database or state by state. I am pretty sure its national but maybe someone can confirm.

Originally Posted by DANTIP

After hearing this story, it sounds possible for someone to register a truck in their name, sell the frame to someone that is restoring a truck, wait until it's restored, report the truck stolen, and have the restored truck given back to them. Sounds far fetched, but not that different from this story.

Yikes, that is a scary thought! That could be prevented if you get a signed bill of sale for any parts you buy with a VIN on them. I think I will start doing that from now on. You could even go so far as to have an officer run the vin the day of purchase to know it wasn't previously reported? This way, if the seller reported it stolen later, you have a dated signed document saying it was sold prior to that and he would be busted for fraud.

Good info and good discussion.

[McNugget]

This is all very true!! I am very frustrated and so heartbroken. I just can't win with these trucks. I found the PERFECT one today. Two-tone blue and white 3/4 ton 4x4 and I talked to the guy and was planning to go buy it tomorrow and he sold it right out from under me today I am in tears so badly!! I almost feel like maybe its just not meant to be for me to own one. I also agree with DANTIP about the selling of the frame, that could be a possibility! Scary thought

[truckdude239]

There are more out there dont give up!!

[no moa]

Originally Posted by truckdude239

There are more out there dont give up!!

Truckdude239 is right, they are all around you. Don't give up yet!
Posted via Mobile Device

[68 IRON]

If I'm reading this right,..... This could be a long term scam. Sell a truck (cab, fenders, bed and frame) and the truck is reported stolen (using the frame #'s and vin #'s to identify) prior to sale. With it sold to a local to a guy who is gonna fix it up, puts a lot of money and time into it. Later when it looks complete, the seller shows up with title of frame and says you have it....and takes it all? Is this as far fetched as it sounds....? He showed up because your truck looked like his? Hell mine looks like yours and the rest of the board her too! This guy new something before this all went down in my opinion. If thats his frame...give it to him, but not the other stuff. Wierd and sad...like I said I'm checkin' my numbers later today.

[eightbanger]

Well I still can't find any vin# on my frame....is it small? is it stamped quite deep? is it in the same place on all our Trucks? is it before or after the bumper bracket mounting? is it on top of the frame rail or the face? in short, do you need to be a detective with a sandblaster to find this thing? pics anyone??

[McNugget]

Originally Posted by eightbanger

Well I still can't find any vin# on my frame....is it small? is it stamped quite deep? is it in the same place on all our Trucks? is it before or after the bumper bracket mounting? is it on top of the frame rail or the face? in short, do you need to be a detective with a sandblaster to find this thing? pics anyone??

No it is stamped very deep and there may be a little bit of dirt on it, but you should be able to see just 7 digits stamped on the top side of the frame. If you lift the hood, look on the frame right above the front drivers side wheel. It should be right behind your fan shroud (if you have one!) and will run long ways with the frame. Right under where the power steering is located (if you have that.) If you search all the way back to the firewall where the brake fluid is located, youve gone too far. If I had a picture I would show you, but I don't have a truck to take a picture of unfortunately i hope that helps!

[McNugget]

Originally Posted by eagleuh1

Was the truck a board members before being stolen? Posted as stolen here? Just courious. Jim. Good luck with your pursuit.

I'm not sure, how might i find out?

[eightbanger]

Originally Posted by McNugget

No it is stamped very deep and there may be a little bit of dirt on it, but you should be able to see just 7 digits stamped on the top side of the frame. If you lift the hood, look on the frame right above the front drivers side wheel. It should be right behind your fan shroud (if you have one!) and will run long ways with the frame. Right under where the power steering is located (if you have that.) If you search all the way back to the firewall where the brake fluid is located, youve gone too far. If I had a picture I would show you, but I don't have a truck to take a picture of unfortunately i hope that helps!

Cheers mate....gonna go outside for another search.

Found it just where you said...and they match my tag i'm happy to say.

[Bears63]

McNugget, whatever you do don't lose hope on finding a truck. They are out there. I understand right now you are pretty dang upset and depressed, but don't give up. I must say this all sounds very fishy, especially when someone says "it looked like mine". Sorry, but I can rattle off the location of 2 other '71's that look like mine right down to the bedside toolbox. I agree with 68_Iron, this just sounds a bit fishy. I hope you get some sort of compensation, but I know the likelihood is small. Just remember that a lot of us on this board are willing to help however we can.

[McNugget]

What do you guys think about this one?


http://memphis.craigslist.org/cto/2599610585.html

[eightbanger]

That looks nice dude and from the writeup sounds great too...but like anything you'll need a visit to be sure.

[C20-67_N_MO]

Wow!

Thats is one clean 71 4x4.

Not a bad price either.

[Vintage Windmills]

Originally Posted by 68 IRON

If I'm reading this right,..... This could be a long term scam. Sell a truck (cab, fenders, bed and frame) and the truck is reported stolen (using the frame #'s and vin #'s to identify) prior to sale. With it sold to a local to a guy who is gonna fix it up, puts a lot of money and time into it. Later when it looks complete, the seller shows up with title of frame and says you have it....and takes it all? Is this as far fetched as it sounds....? He showed up because your truck looked like his? Hell mine looks like yours and the rest of the board her too! This guy new something before this all went down in my opinion. If thats his frame...give it to him, but not the other stuff.

That could be prevented if you get a signed bill of sale for any parts you buy with a VIN on them. I think I will start doing that from now on. Verify the signature on the bill of sale matches the one on his drivers license. You could even go so far as to have an officer run the vin the day of purchase to know it wasn't previously reported. This way, if the seller reported it stolen later, you have a dated signed document saying it was sold prior to that and he would be busted for fraud.

[Vintage Windmills]

Originally Posted by McNugget

What do you guys think about this one?


http://memphis.craigslist.org/cto/2599610585.html

At that price, its either a steal or it has issues. Better look at it quick.

[CTENTA1]

What do the numbers on both sides of frame faces mean? They are directly across from the transfer case or tranny area. You can see them directly if you look at the frame face from under either driver or passenger door? I dont have my truck with me but If i remember correctly its like a 10-15 digit and they both match each other.

[Fred T]

To answer a couple of questions.

The FBI has a database where all states must register criminal records. Part of it is stolen property records. When I was an officer we would call in tag numbers for a check. http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ncic

Rosette rivets are legal to possess in some states. In many states possession or manufacture is a felony. That is why the sale is not allowed on this board.

In this case I would recommend seeking legal counsel. In many states the clock on the statute of limitations starts when the crime has been discovered, making it possible to pursue the seller in a civil case and recover at least part of the money. But that depends on many factors.

[McNugget]

Originally Posted by CTENTA1

What do the numbers on both sides of frame faces mean? They are directly across from the transfer case or tranny area. You can see them directly if you look at the frame face from under either driver or passenger door? I dont have my truck with me but If i remember correctly its like a 10-15 digit and they both match each other.

If I remember correctly those are just serial identifications as the the year, size and model of the truck.

[CTENTA1]

Originally Posted by McNugget

If I remember correctly those are just serial identifications as the the year, size and model of the truck.

Sorry to hear about the situation, this could have happend to any one of us. Im sure you had a lot of members going and checking their vin#'s. I know I did as soon as I got home.
Posted via Mobile Device

[ETsC10]

McNugget, I would like to welcome you to the board and I sure hope we can help in some way.

Unfortunately, there’s a lot of crooks in the world and, because our trucks are becoming so valuable,
they will go to extraordinary lengths to steal, cob together and resell them.

I am so sorry you have become one of their victims.

Vintage Windmills, unfortunately, they didn’t stamp VINs in the sheet metal back then.
In fact, many GMC’s either didn’t have a frame stamp or they are so hard to find that even some
experts here would be hard pressed to find them.
This may be also true of some GM trucks sold oversees too (eightbanger, take note).

The best we can do is research the PO and what they say is the trucks history, check the
frame and cab tag against title, scrutinize the rosettes and never buy an untitled truck.
Document everything and write down the seller’s ID and address, in case of problems.

McNugget, best of luck in your legal battle to re-coupe some of your loss through this.
Hang in there gal and keep us posted!
Ellen

BTW McNugget,---the CL 4x4 you posted looks like a nice rig for the $.
I’m a sucker for big 4x4’s too!








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