Ohio Highway Patrol serves warrant to Mershon’s World of Cars
#1
Drifting
Thread Starter
Ohio Highway Patrol serves warrant to Mershon’s World of Cars
The Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Vehicle Theft Unit served a warrant Thursday at the classic car dealership to search for altered and tampered vehicle identification numbers.
Authorities seized two cars, two VIN plates and six data trim tags, the documents said.
http://www.springfieldnewssun.com/ne...h-1381702.html
Authorities seized two cars, two VIN plates and six data trim tags, the documents said.
http://www.springfieldnewssun.com/ne...h-1381702.html
#4
Melting Slicks
I read the article, you should, too. It will scare you. The Highway Patrol expected to find matching, unaltered vins on the vin plate, the engine and the frame. When they did not...
I'd guess it puts half or more of the cars out there up for siezure, if you follow it to the most pessimistic end.
Then there is the question of accountability for a 40 year old theft report?
Harry
I'd guess it puts half or more of the cars out there up for siezure, if you follow it to the most pessimistic end.
Then there is the question of accountability for a 40 year old theft report?
Harry
#6
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Aug 2000
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Besides the extra tags they had laying around, which looks bad, I think they took the cars just to justify being there, I am not condoning their business, I think they are one of the dealers that has cars waaay above market for their condition.
#7
Burning Brakes
Wow-my '62 has a '68 327 in it. PO installed it in the early '70's. No documentation-hope I never get caught!
#8
Safety Car
I guess the lesson we should all take away from this is, make sure that you restamp your NOM, otherwise it might get seized! What a bunch of Bozo's! They seized the chevelle because the engine stamp pad did not have a VIN, and the GTO because the frame stamp could not be read. That describes thousands of classic Corvettes!
Regards, John McGraw
Regards, John McGraw
#9
Safety Car
Member Since: Apr 2007
Location: PHOENIX AZ. WHAT A MAN WON"T SPEND TO GIVE HIS ASS A RIDE
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If the police are going to confiscate every car that doesn't have matching # motor,frame ETC. we are all in trouble. Not many old cars have all original parts.From the article it sounds like a witch hunt. I have known Danny for 30 years & I can't see him knowingly buy stolen cars or switch SN'S. It is very easy to get a title for any car and then sell it. I don't see why that is not illegal.
#12
Drifting
i have dealt with mershons for years and my cousin has longer. mistakes are made every where and in every business. mershons has always tried to correct any that arise from their
business. i can not complain the way they have treated me or my cousin.
at least i know one thing, my 63 impala on their show room floor is legal. jim
business. i can not complain the way they have treated me or my cousin.
at least i know one thing, my 63 impala on their show room floor is legal. jim
#14
Le Mans Master
There's no way they are going to start popping anyone whose motor doesn't match the vin.
They were making an example out of the dealer. They sent a lot of people because they wanted to make a public impression and get news coverage towards a dealer that probably deserves it ie:lots of vin plates etc.. with improper documentation numerous attorney general complaints and lawsuits etc...
They are trying to send a message to the classic car dealers. STOP FU%%ING WITH SERIAL NUMBERS.It's a rampant problem and if guilty, I hope they bust the hell out of them!
These guys give the honest car dealers a bad name. And there are many honest ones out there.
They were making an example out of the dealer. They sent a lot of people because they wanted to make a public impression and get news coverage towards a dealer that probably deserves it ie:lots of vin plates etc.. with improper documentation numerous attorney general complaints and lawsuits etc...
They are trying to send a message to the classic car dealers. STOP FU%%ING WITH SERIAL NUMBERS.It's a rampant problem and if guilty, I hope they bust the hell out of them!
These guys give the honest car dealers a bad name. And there are many honest ones out there.
Last edited by MiguelsC2; 05-26-2012 at 03:26 PM.
#15
Team Owner
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#18
I remember buying a 63 FI Split Window way back in 1984 from a private party in Southern California which was already registered in CA. For some reason the DMV made me take it to a Highway Patrol Office that particular time where an officer crawled under the car to read the numbers on the transmission. All was well according to the officer and he would not elaborate. DMV then proceeded to transfer title and sent me the new pink slip. I really never figured out why that car chosen for special inspection as I have bought and later sold numerous other classics in CA since then (including mid-year Corvettes), and DMV never again asked for a special inspection. Up until now I had essentially forgotten about it. Maybe the car had been previously stolen and then recovered (or something like that) is about all I can think of as the VIN tag was clearly original and unmolested.
So maybe the Ohio authorities in the current case know something more than they have publically released or maybe it's like a random IRS Tax Payer Compliance Audit ..... i.e. the Dealer was randomly picked as part of an ongoing general investigation into the world of nationwide alledged VIN tampering of older classics?
We will probably never know the real story.
So maybe the Ohio authorities in the current case know something more than they have publically released or maybe it's like a random IRS Tax Payer Compliance Audit ..... i.e. the Dealer was randomly picked as part of an ongoing general investigation into the world of nationwide alledged VIN tampering of older classics?
We will probably never know the real story.
Last edited by RRod; 05-26-2012 at 05:51 PM.
#19
Drifting
Thread Starter
Anyone remember these posts about Mershon's...
Mershon fraud
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c1s-...hon-fraud.html
and this...
1963 SWC For Sale....
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c1s-...-for-sale.html
Mershon fraud
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c1s-...hon-fraud.html
and this...
1963 SWC For Sale....
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c1s-...-for-sale.html
#20
Le Mans Master