In a message dated 11/9/04 9:46:21 AM, dart330@HOTMAIL.COM writes:

<< Wasn't there a company in the SW US that was importing new Mexican Beetles,

changing the VIN and registering them as 1960s models?

Sure they swapped in the old frame >>

The old tunnel which had the kosher VIN was SUPPOSED to be installed in the
new Mexican Beetle.  I've seen a website showing the process as performed in
someone's backyard down there, but, apparently, not all the tunnel installers
went to all that trouble in order to produce an inferior car.  The only Mexican
Beetle I have seen firsthand, simply had the original chassis numbers removed
and the new numbers stamped on the tunnel.  Also, the alteration was obvious
with coarse grind marks where the original numbers had been and the new numbers
stamped pell mell in a rude manner.

The real question is: what contorted logic allows for swapping a rusty
chassis spine to be considered to be within even the spirit of our laws regulating
importation?

George