Ebay Blazer...do due diligence before buying

[DeadheadNM]

Not a bad looking K5 ( http://www.ebay.com/itm/Chevrolet-Bl...US_Cars_Trucks ) but I noticed (as is regularly the case on ebay and elsewhere) that the VIN tag rivets have been replaced, which may lead to difficulties when titling. Since the seller claims the following I'd thought I'd post here in case any members were looking at this Blazer as a potential buy:

"Most these trucks that has been restored with new paint you'd have to ask yourself " what do I really have" Do you really have a true CST model ? Or some after market Chinese CST badges you can just buy from LMC truck. Do you really have original panels or after market China ones? These are the questions you have to ask yourself. From the photos that I have provided it should say it all very clear ....Original"

Indeed, what is he really selling?

[truckster]

Not a bad Blazer. But the price seems pretty steep.

[DeadheadNM]

I'd verify the frame VIN matched the pillar VIN tag and SPID and check local laws regarding use of non-original rosette rivets prior to purchasing.

[praisegeetarman]

Just and FYI. This has been on ebay a few times. I tried to arrange an in person viewing and didn't get any further messages from the seller. Makes you wonder why a seller would quit communicating with a potential buyer.

[drillrod]

None of my three 72 trucks have the month and year stamped on the door jam plate like that one does. I guess some did and some didnt!

[Moreyel]

Good eye, Pete. I'd want to see the frame VIN.

Truly Keith. Why would he put it up there and tell such a long story if he wasnt serious about selling it. Maybe from talking to you he figured you know your **** and didnt want to be challenged.

Unfortunately, there's an ass for every seat and he'll probably get the money. Or close to it, anyway.

[DeadheadNM]

Originally Posted by drillrod

None of my three 72 trucks have the month and year stamped on the door jam plate like that one does. I guess some did and some didnt!

That's actually what caught my eye first. None of my 72 rigs have a similar stamping. Would be curious to know if anyone here has a K5 VIN tag similarly stamped.

On a related note, I read this court case where a seller was arrested for selling rosette rivets: http://leagle.com/decision/199115515...0v.%20STEFFENS

Originally Posted by Moreyel

Good eye, Pete. I'd want to see the frame VIN.

When I see a SWB or a 4wd on Ebay or CL I half expect to find an altered VIN tag or some misrepresentation like non-disclosure of a cab swap - these abound and a buyer needs to do their homework to avoid being taken.

[briank]

Seller use to be on this site.

[praisegeetarman]

Originally Posted by Moreyel

Good eye, Pete. I'd want to see the frame VIN.

Truly Keith. Why would he put it up there and tell such a long story if he wasnt serious about selling it. Maybe from talking to you he figured you know your **** and didnt want to be challenged.

Unfortunately, there's an ass for every seat and he'll probably get the money. Or close to it, anyway.

Well, that's the part that confused me. I didn't challenge him. All I did was ask if my son, who lived near by, could look at it for me. After two or three more messages with that request all I got was dead air. His lack of response made me wonder and that is when also noticed the incorrect rivets on the body VIN tag.

No challenge from me.


Keith

[PDXk5]

I would check for the other numbers locations like the other forum members have said BUT, interesting enough, I have an original 1972 K5 with a vin tag attached with non-rosette rivets. It caught my attention when I was washing it the day I was taking delivery of it.

I wasn't too concerned as I'm the second owner for my rig and the original owner is my father-in-law. No funny business on my rig - we know the whole history of the vehicle from the day it was bought new.

[briank]

Wonder why the owner doesnt chime up, hes still on here after all.

[rayray767]

[rayray767]

[rayray767]

[rayray767]

[rayray767]

Attachment 1383981
This sticker is actually on the door I never noticed it before
but it to has the vin# also. So that makes the doors original to the truck.

I can't really explain the so called pop rivets it was said to have or even if they are :/

I looked at my other two 72's that I own neither of them had
The date of the month and year like this one does at the bottom of the vin plate either

As far as trying to show the vehicle in person was difficult for me as I drive a truck over the roadway. I had folks emailing saying they would like to swing by tomorrow to look at it. I surly wasn't putting my wife in the middle of things to meet and show..
I plan on re listing it when it warms up a bit. I may even fix the brakes on it and drive it a little when I'm home.
Hope this clears things up a bit on the listing gentlemen.

[DeadheadNM]

Thanks for the follow-up. It is interesting that the VIN plate has the date stamped on it. All the numbers are there. Good luck with your sale! Pete

[rayray767]

Relisted .... With more pics

[dubds10]

Lots of pics which is good but you need some close ups of under it at the rocker boxes etc. Good luck on the sale, but if your reserve is still $7000 it may not get there. That's pretty steep for that condition, but you never know with the buyers back east lol

[lyrikz]

Originally Posted by dubds10

Lots of pics which is good but you need some close ups of under it at the rocker boxes etc. Good luck on the sale, but if your reserve is still $7000 it may not get there. That's pretty steep for that condition, but you never know with the buyers back east lol

Where is the vin number located on the frame?

[rayray767]

Right below the driver door

[cleszkie]

First of all, I give big props to rayray767 for taking some undeserved heat, and then delivering the goods by posting all of the VIN markings to put any doubts to rest.

Secondly, that seemingly strange date stamp and non-roset rivets on that VIN plate could be due to an error and/or damage discovered on the original plate at the assembly plant. A duplicate VIN plate could have been made and affixed to correct the problem later down the assembly line. I have seen this on at least one other truck of this era.

[lyrikz]

Originally Posted by cleszkie

First of all, I give big props to rayray767 for taking some undeserved heat, and then delivering the goods by posting all of the VIN markings to put any doubts to rest.

Secondly, that seemingly strange date stamp and non-roset rivets on that VIN plate could be due to an error and/or damage discovered on the original plate at the assembly plant. A duplicate VIN plate could have been made and affixed to correct the problem later down the assembly line. I have seen this on at least one other truck of this era.

These have to be removed when painted. There has to be hundreds of these that have been removed and reinstalled during paint. Hmmm..

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by cleszkie

Secondly, that seemingly strange date stamp and non-roset rivets on that VIN plate could be due to an error and/or damage discovered on the original plate at the assembly plant. A duplicate VIN plate could have been made and affixed to correct the problem later down the assembly line. I have seen this on at least one other truck of this era.

This scenario is not likely.

K

[rayray767]

I tried to get photos underneath but they kept coming out black. It's still stock height and was difficult for me to get down low enough to get a good quality picture where someone would know what the picture was. The frame is solid I promise you that or your money back. It was made with good old-fashioned American steel and not the steel we buy from China these days that start flaking after 2-3 years. I've looked at many blazers of this year before buying this one. I really don't recall seeing any bad frames on any of them. I've seen rear end damage but no rusted through or flaky frames. I've seen fabbed up bumper brackets too. Anyways like I said in my listing it's a nice driver and if you wanted to restore it yes I would do the rockers. These rockers are original and are in fair shape for being 43 years old. They're not rusted through nor are they falling out just driver quality. It never seen any accidents at all. It's an A/C truck and a true CST model with original paint no bondo . After market bed sides are a few grand ya know.... Don't need to sell it but I got three ..... :p Could use the room says the wife ...:p I do drive this one the most cause I'm
worry free in it and can enjoy and park wherever.
That driver side floor is the only bad spot in that whole truck really. I want to fix it and coat the bed floor on the inside but. I would have to build another garage first say my wife ... So it's got to go :/