What to do with old vin plates??

[waltklatt]

Have a bunch of vin plates that I took off from wrecked or junked W113 SL's before they were crushed.
Anyone know if I can sell them legally or ?? 
Have W107, W108, W109, W110, W111, W113, W114, Ponton, Adenauer, 170V and one Binz.
Thanks,
Walter

[Flyair]

Walter,

quite frankly it has certainly some collectible value, but... unless you know well somebody and fully trust that person, there is always a high chance that such buyer may use these VIN plates for some unholly purpose.
We all know that there are unscrupulous persons that would resurrect a written off rust bucket and "legalise it" with such plates, especially that as yu mentioned, the donors have been crashed and annihilated.
So, tough business, I suppose...

[Rolf-Dieter ✝︎]

I'm almost thinking it could make the seller a accomplice should the sold VIN plate be used illegally on another car.

I'm not a lawyer, just a retired business owner. My 2 cents on this matter. I recommend you keep them as a collector(s) item if you wish.

[scoot]

I suspect it is illegal to sell stuff that could be used to counterfeit (or change the identity of a stolen) vehicle.    I'm thinking that the only value to the VIN plates would be either "cool to collect" or "illegal activity".

[mdsalemi]

There is one good use for them, in the collector category--and that is as a template/guide for reproduction.
Had I not been able to see a solid, good and accurate one on Alfred Esser's car, I would not have been able to get mine reproduced.

Too often in the world of restoration, particularly older ones, these things were removed and lost. Having original ones is good for reproduction.

[RobSirg]

It's also possible that many years from now - when these are worth a lot more than they are now (scary/nice thought) some genuine enthusiast(s) could build a "recreation" or "tribute" - exactly what was order from the old VIN.

For now - the temptation for unscrupulous activity might be too much and I would prefer the old W113 VIN plates are retained by a responsible person from this club.

Perhaps the club could make an offer to buy them to prevent the potential of illegal use? Only giving out to genuine future recreations?

just a thought.

Rob

[waltklatt]

Thanks to all for your comments.
Best for me to do is respond to all the individual emails and then the remainder I will send to Tom Hanson at MB Classic.
He can dispose of them properly.
Again thanks.
Walter