Anybody have a 1988 that can help me with VIN plate issue?

Firstly, thanks for the add and hey to everyone in the forum!
I've been looking for a nice 1st gen for a while, and I think that i found the one that I want. It's a 1988. Everything looks good, but I noticed that the firewall VIN plate is missing the actual VIN number that should be on the upper part of the tag...the 'Model Number' and the 'C/TR/A/TM' numbers are in the bottom of the plate, but they look to have been crudely scratched on. It does have VIN stickers on the doors, and a VIN plate on the bottom corner of the windshield that all match each other and match the title. Here's a photo of the actual VIN plate on the firewall and a picture of what info I found about how the plate should look...should I have concerns? Does anybody else have an 1988 that is like this?

 

check with the DMV and/or cops. does kinda look suspicious ?

 

Not sure how i'd go about that...technically the VIN is there on the stickers and the VIN plate on the window.

 

**UPDATE**
I came across a couple of guys discussing a 1988 Minicruiser (RN7y5 series) and they showed these pictures of VIN plates that look the same as the one i mentioned above in that they're missing the VIN in the top corner. Does anybody have a 1988 that can confirm that the fN plate should look like this?

 

If you are in California take it to the CHP and have them verify the vin or I guess Highway Patrol or State Police in other states. They have info on where else the vin should appear on the vehicle on plates and parts. This vin looks like it has been messed with because the rivets are not clean and all the numbers are scratched or obscured. If you get stopped you may be scrutinized. Best of luck.

 

I'm in NJ. Not sure what to think. It has stickers on the doors and the window plate and they all match and the same as on title...maybe the firewall plate just came like that with no VIN and just the model and trim numbers? Be good if a '88 owner could verify.

 

I know this is way late, but we just got our 88 for my son and this is how the firewall plate is as well.