Donor Cowl Section & VIN stamp, what is your opinion?

[Flatdad]

I'm swapping a donor roof on my car since the original was a vinyl top disaster. The donor section includes the pillars & cowl which I'd also like to use. As many know, the cowl is a part of the car that has a VIN sequence stamped on it.

What do I do in this situation?

Whatever the outcome is, I'll be documenting the process in my build thread, including my VIN numbers for all to see (JS23N1B245843).

[JonH]

I would cut them out and swap them. Should be relatively easy since you are that deep into it. Finish front and back and document the process. Makes the car a little more desirable when selling...

[Rich G.]

I agree, cut yours out. If it was a new cowl I wouldn't be as concerned. I'd rather have no vin on the cowl then the wrong one.

[Cuda_mark]

I agree- I replaced my cowl and had them transplant the VIN stamped section. I think it is totally OK as log as your honest about it. My car's resto is documented and I would be truthful if I ever sold the car about that. It also isn't a big deal since my VIN is for a gran coupe convertible with a 318 and it has a HEMI in it now...the fender tag says its a 318 GC so I'm not trying to say the car is something that its not.

[anlauto]

I would transplant them in a heartbeat

[jimynick]

When I changed the cowl on my car, I cut the stamped # off the old cowl, threw it in a box with some other parts and never looked back.  Why you say? Because this is a forever car for me and I didn't give a damn about the next guy who has it, pining for his cowl stamping. I'll tell my boys to give him the box it's in.    Having said that, if you have a very valuable model/year, go for it.