In a message dated 11/15/00 11:19:26 AM, UCMYVW@AOL.COM writes:

<<      I imagine this could be done with a van as well????   A little more
work.  Or find someone who will switch all vin #'s.
 >>

Alan,

A friend of mine bought one of the USA legal beetles.  He said that they are
built at the VW factory in Mexico on the same lines as their normal
production but they are assembled during off hours as bonus work for the
workers.  He claimed that they use only a small portion of the original pan
in order to retrieve the VIN.

A few years ago, I read an article about one of the plants in Mexico.  An
accompaning photo showed a brand new loaf style van but with a radiator
mounted to the front.  Although it was obviously an add-on, it had what
appeared to be a plastic radiator shell around it which faired it into the
front panel somewhat.  I would like to buy one of those.

As far as running free and loose with VIN's, be careful; that's now against
federal law and once the FB-ONE gets a scent, they do not lose it like the
local yokels.  Somethings that seem quite harmless at first can land your ass
in a federal courtroom and it is no fun if they decide to use your butt as
the example.

Rich