Here, too. But in Mich. a salvage title is issued. And under NO circumstances is anyone allowed to tamper with a VIN. Nor will they issue a title with an altered VIN - if they did, you can have two vehicles with the same title/vin.

If the seller altered the VIN, it is a crime. If the seller sold the car knowingly with an altered VIN it is a crime. If you part out a vehicle with an altered VIN its a crime.

Whoever suggested take it to the police is right. Go there, get DOCUMENTATION that you went there, and let them decide what to do. An '88 can't be worth enough money to justify trouble with the police at any level...unless you enjoy that sort of trouble. Me? I'm an off-grid kind of citizen.

 

Sounds like it was in a front-end accident and they replaced the parts with those off an '88. Pretty ****ty for them to not tell you and futz with the VIN though.