Mismatching VIN/engine combos

wonderboy_au · 03-07-2023, 09:01 AM

Hi guys, first post on this forum.

I'm just after people's opinions. I'm noticing some nice cars pop up occasionally that are 6 cylinder chassis running v8 engines. The asking price for these cars seems to be similar (or slightly less) than if the same running gear was in a v8 chassis. Typically these cars are running pretty tuff running gear and in pretty mind condition.

Just after people's thoughts when it comes to 6 cylinder chassis running v8 engines? What are issues you need to be aware of (e.g. is a mod plate required), and what the general opinion on their respective pricing?

Is it an issue anymore or not?

westoftown · 03-07-2023, 01:07 PM

Mod plate is always a good sign that someone has gone to the effort to look good on paper but it may not be a requirement if the car remains registered in the same state. Its if you buy a car like that and want to register in another state: thats when it starts to become problematic for the buyer.

I bought a car years ago when younger and naiver: advertised as a black XR8, flew to Victoria, paid the money, and only when i got to VicRoads to get a permit to drive it home found that it was actually a blue XR6 on paper, hassled by every country cop on the way home about the discrepancy and then of course the realisation i couldnt re-register it in SA without a mod-plate. Lesson learned, and i cant imagine the rules have relaxed any in the past 10 years

**73 4V XB** · 03-07-2023, 03:01 PM

Think about your insurance too. If the car has been modified, bigger engine, different transmission and not noted in the policy they may void any claim. There’s also rego to factor in depending our your state. Is it registered appropriately and so on.
Your best bet is to get a mod plate done to be safe.
As for price, anything with a matching number will fetch more coin. Some strengthen was done to factory V8’s depending on the make and model. I don’t know all of them but take a XA-XC, the radiator support has a double skin across the top while the 6 didn’t. There may be other things to consider, these are just of the top of my head.

wonderboy_au · 04-07-2023, 10:15 AM

Thanks for the responses fellas, good information.

I guess it's probably no surprise that the people telling me there's no difference are the people selling cars with 6 cylinder VINs with v8s.

I think I'll stay away from these cars and focus on v8 VIN/engines.