85 Defender 9 digit VIN

BK Maine

Member
Hello just acquired an 85 Defender 110. Vin is only 9 digits long. I have done lots of research and and now concerned this could be fake. The VIN is on a plate in the engine compartmen, on a dash tag, and on the windshield glass. I can’t find it on the chassis. Please let me know your thoughts.
 

BK Maine

Member
Here are the pictures. 8 numbers and letter at end. I appreciate any input.
 

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mgreenspan

Founding Member
Those are definitely not original to a 1985. Where did you acquire it from? Maybe a state assigned VIN added for some reason or someone swapped a series VIN over from an earlier model vehicle. I believe they did 9 digit up to 1979. Maybe look up that VIN with SALLD in front of your 9 digits and see if it matches.
 

Roverman2010

Well-known member
Bitsa Landy, series ID plate, alarm switch (not on a 85) chassis number on the right hand side dumb iron. glass etching done on many UK and EU vehicles.

Is this already in the States? But a good looking Landy, hope you didn't pay an arm and leg for it?
 
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JimC

Super Moderator
Staff member
Jeez, that’s a VIN recycled from a series truck for sure. Needless to say the t-case instructions are not typically found on the brake booster. Before 2008, lots of people thought this was a clever way to get defenders into the states. Some were built here, some were imported that way before compliance increased. This might be a caveat emptor situation, but I’d first start to see if the seller will take it back. If the parts are all good, then maybe you buy a contemporary but rusty donor and use these parts to restore it.
 

rocky

NAS-ROW Addict
Nothing wrong with rebuilding a dead series truck into a Defender. Nothing wrong with taking a rusted Discovery and rebuilding it into a Defender. It’s probably more common than we think.
 

BK Maine

Member
Everyone thank you for your input. Novice here so I don't understand your lingo and what you are trying to tell me. Is there some sort of fraud going on here?
 

Napalm00

Technical Excellence Contributor
Yes.

Someone took a less valuable landr rover truck that is not a defender and used the VIN to get it a title.

You have a vin from what is called a "series" or pre 1979 vehicle.

If they sold you this as a defender you have been defrauded.
 

4RF RDS

Well-known member
Everyone thank you for your input. Novice here so I don't understand your lingo and what you are trying to tell me. Is there some sort of fraud going on here?
Possibly... it could be an old series Land Rover which was rebuilt into a Defender. Also it is possible that it
was recycled from parts and built up and titled with that VIN. The VIN is defo from an earlier Series Land Rover, this does not mean that it is fraud per se, but its kinda sketchy that you are unaware of this odd VIN on an 85 which should have a standard VIN.
 

Napalm00

Technical Excellence Contributor
Possibly... it could be an old series Land Rover which was rebuilt into a Defender. Also it is possible that it
was recycled from parts and built up and titled with that VIN. The VIN is defo from an earlier Series Land Rover, this does not mean that it is fraud per se, but its kinda sketchy that you are unaware of this odd VIN on an 85 which should have a standard VIN.


I'd have to disagree. If the seller never disclosed that this was not an original vin This is most definitely fraud. This is the same sort of stuff that Dr Aaron Richardet used to pull
 

JimC

Super Moderator
Staff member
My vote is 100% bad-faith seller BS. If someone did that to me and was unrepentant about it, I would totally call my state patrol and inform them that someone sold me a VIN-swapped truck. If there was -somehow- an innocent explanation then the seller could sort that out with the authorities.
 

javelinadave

Administrator
Staff member
My vote is 100% bad-faith seller BS. If someone did that to me and was unrepentant about it, I would totally call my state patrol and inform them that someone sold me a VIN-swapped truck. If there was -somehow- an innocent explanation then the seller could sort that out with the authorities.

Sorry this happened to you and I 100% agree.
 

Tbaumer

Technical Excellence Contributor
I sure hope this turns out alright & can be registered as a 1985 110 - Love the truck!
 

BK Maine

Member
I do have a title which is what caused the first red flag. The title is for a 1970. The seller told me people used to lie about the age in order to import the vehicle and skirt around emissions standards. With the title came a prior registration also saying 1970. I have an 85 Bill of Sale. My plan was to have my local police sign a VIN verification form and register it as an 85. I think I would be able to register it but I am just worried about what I really got here.
 

lcdck

Well-known member
It appears you have a 1985 with the VIN and title to a 1970 series. See post #7. I don’t know your state laws but an incorrect VIN sounds like a problem. Registering it as a 1985 is likely an issue. I recommend seeking advice in private.
 

Napalm00

Technical Excellence Contributor
I do have a title which is what caused the first red flag. The title is for a 1970. The seller told me people used to lie about the age in order to import the vehicle and skirt around emissions standards. With the title came a prior registration also saying 1970. I have an 85 Bill of Sale. My plan was to have my local police sign a VIN verification form and register it as an 85. I think I would be able to register it but I am just worried about what I really got here.


Plenty of legit trucks out there. You are setting yourself up for major liability by keeping this thing. You can't properly insure it and in some states ny,CA,NJ having swapped vin could get it seized. It's not worth it

In most states you cant register without a frame mounted vin either. This thing was made to get over on folks :(
 
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