Is there a VIN plate at the lower corner of the windshield? | FerrariChat
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Is there a VIN plate at the lower corner of the windshield?

Discussion in '348/355' started by yelcab, Sep 9, 2011.

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  1. yelcab

    yelcab F1 World Champ
    Consultant

    Nov 29, 2001
    13,598
    San Carlos, CA
    Full Name:
    Mitchell Le
    #1 yelcab, Sep 9, 2011
    For you guys with a 355, DMV is giving me ****z about not having a VIN plate at the lower corner of the windshield. Do you have one?
     
  2. Shaide

    Shaide Formula Junior

    Jul 8, 2008
    613
    Las Colinas, DFW TX
    Full Name:
    Jason
    #2 Shaide, Sep 9, 2011
    Somewhere along the way I was told that the legal requirement was that the VIN had to be viewable from standing outside the car on the driver's side. For 99.999% of the cars out there, the solution is the plate in the corner of the windshield. However, if this first statement is the true legal requirement, then the plate on the steering column should suffice.

    On the 348 at least, it's easily seen if you know to look for it there. Of course, if some gov official is just looking to check a box, and goes looking specifically for a VIN plate in the corner of the windshield and doesn't look ANYWHERE else, well... ><

    Anyone know what the actual law is here? I'm also assuming it varies from state to state.
     
  3. 134282

    134282 Four Time F1 World Champ
    BANNED

    Aug 3, 2002
    40,647
    California
    Full Name:
    Carbon McCoy
    #3 134282, Sep 9, 2011
    This is complete and correct.

    Mitchell, what is the serial number of your 355? Only in later Ferraris (but not all) are the VIN plates at the base of the windshield. Back when your car was built, standard Ferrari procedure was to place the VIN plate on top of the steering column just behind the steering wheel (see below).

    The following Ferraris have VIN tags at the base of the driver's side of the windshield: Enzo (US spec only), 599 (all iterations), 612, California, 458.

    The 355, 360 (all iterations), 456, 550 and 575M, 430 (all iterations) all have VIN plates on the steering column behind the steering wheel. All Ferraris before these, going back to the Daytona (and the Dino) had VIN or serial number plates on the steering column behind the steering wheel. Before these, data plates could be found in the engine bay.
     
  4. yelcab

    yelcab F1 World Champ
    Consultant

    Nov 29, 2001
    13,598
    San Carlos, CA
    Full Name:
    Mitchell Le
    #4 yelcab, Sep 10, 2011
    well,

    They were giving me trouble for not having a Federal Compliance Plate. I did, they did not look in the right place. So they referred me to CHP for "Salvage Title Validation." I called the CHP number, and get this... they don't answer that number on Friday. Damn, how do I get a job like that?

    So, I happened to read the paperwork where it says I don't have a Fed plate. I know I do, so I came back to DMV in the afternoon, pointed it out to them, the man did a new verification paperwork, but would not walk me to the front of the line so I can get my plates.... Now I need to set another apponitment so that I can come in to finish off the paperwork and get my plate.

    The friendly person said I could ... just mail in the paperwork. I am thinking, using the US Post Office services to mail in something to the DMV. Well, I think I will do that one in person mysefl.
     
  5. 355rockit

    355rockit Formula Junior

    Dec 1, 2010
    893
    San Marcos, CA
    Full Name:
    Vas
    #5 355rockit, Sep 10, 2011
    If you have AAA membership, it will make your life alot easier since you can do all the DMV stuff with them at the AAA office.
     
  6. yelcab

    yelcab F1 World Champ
    Consultant

    Nov 29, 2001
    13,598
    San Carlos, CA
    Full Name:
    Mitchell Le
    #6 yelcab, Sep 10, 2011
    AAA cannot do out of state license plate, and driver license.
     

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