[DeTomaso] VIN tag geekery

[Dave]

I find it interesting that with today's digital age, they type and spacing is not spot on. Should be very easy to precisely duplicate the original. Spot on counterfeit. 

-----Original Message-----
From: MikeLDrew at aol.com [mailto:MikeLDrew at aol.com] 
Sent: Tuesday, April 02, 2013 3:56 PM
To: detomaso at POCA.com
Subject: [DeTomaso] VIN tag geekery

Hi guys,

I found out awhile back that Steve Wilkinson is manufacturing very proper-looking reproduction doorjamb VIN tags (I forgot to ask if he does BSN tags 
but I would presume those would be available also).   While doing a bunch of 
research, I discovered there was a lot of variation from one year to the next (big surprise there!)

Take a look at the examples here:

http://www.poca.com/index.php/gallery/?g2_itemId=39221

The first one is a 1971 tag from Lori's car.   Note that there is not a lot 
of verbiage, and the month/year is in the upper left corner.

The second photo shows my original tag from my 1972 car #3960, along with 
Wilkinson's repro.   As you can see, the font is different, and word spacing 
is different, but if you didn't have an original tag to compare it to, 
Wilkinson's reproduction looks extremely convincing.   Both say "MFD. BY DE 
TOMASO AUTOMOBILI S.p.A"   These tags were used through 1973.   (Wilkinson 
charges $60 for them BTW).

Next, look at the 1974 tag.   As a reflection of the divorce between De 
Tomaso and Ford, the manufacturer of record is no longer listed as De Tomaso.   
Now it's "Carrozzeria Vignale S.p.A." which was wholly owned by Ford at the time.

I don't know about you, but I am fascinated by details such as these....

Mike