1979 Sunspot VIN found!

Gaelen · 10-10-2008, 10:09 PM

Lots of people tried to help, but finding the VIN on my 1980 Sunspot has been like chasing the horizon. The iron on the tongue is pitted and rusted, and the number stamp is not as deep as some I've seen.

But tonight, moving it into its new garage winter-quarters, the lantern on the hitch handle moved just right and I saw...numbers. On the left side of the tongue, right where they're s'posed to be. I swear I looked in that spot a dozen other times (or more) and never saw the numbers there.

Jon--the VIN is officially 416479 and I feel victorious for finally finding it!

**Tweety** · 10-11-2008, 08:51 AM

Steve discovered an interesting hidden VIN on the Tweety when he was replacing the sill of the entry door. (I think that's what you call the silver thing you step on right under the bottom of the door) He took the sill off and there was a plastic label stuck on under there with the VIN. It is made from one of those old fashioned label makers that embosses white numbers & letters on a black sticky back piece of plastic.

**Sunline Fan** · 10-12-2008, 08:40 PM

Congrats on finding it!

Take this as you wish (either good news or bad news), your coach is a 1979. In fact, it is # 4164 built in the 1979 model year. It may have, and most likely was, built in the year 1980 since 4164 is pretty high compared to the total production (which I doubt went over 5000).

Jon

**Sunline Fan** · 10-12-2008, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tweety

Steve discovered an interesting hidden VIN on the Tweety when he was replacing the sill of the entry door. (I think that's what you call the silver thing you step on right under the bottom of the door) He took the sill off and there was a plastic label stuck on under there with the VIN. It is made from one of those old fashioned label makers that embosses white numbers & letters on a black sticky back piece of plastic.

Yeah, those have been in there throughout most all Sunline's. Up until recently, the VIN's were stamped into an aluminum plate and screwed to the floor. Jason (Lode)'s '78 TC had a basic piece of aluminum with the VIN basically hand stamped into it. By the mid '80's, they were stamping it with some sort of machine that made it very straight. One of the first things I did when I got the new coach was pull that sill plate off to see what it looked like and if it was still there. I was surprised to see it made of plastic. I'd be interested to know when the transition was, because I suspect it was after 2002 and I think it was during the 2004 model year and the change of ownership.

Jon

Gaelen · 10-17-2008, 12:04 AM

I was wondering--my Sunspot is currently NYS registered as 'homebuilt' because the last owner couldn't find the VIN.

Now that I've found a Sunspot VIN, can I get the NYS registration changed from homebuilt to one with a true VIN? Would that even matter? Should I just not rock the DMV's registration boat?

**Tweety** · 10-17-2008, 05:50 AM

Gaelen...I don't see you on the Meet & Greet list for next June's festivities at Buttonwood in PA. Come on down! We'd love to meet you and you'd be a celebrity with that Sunspot

**Sunline Fan** · 10-17-2008, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gaelen

Now that I've found a Sunspot VIN, can I get the NYS registration changed from homebuilt to one with a true VIN? Would that even matter? Should I just not rock the DMV's registration boat?

I don't know about NYS, but I would think if you towed it (since it is legally titled already) to the local police station, and explained the situation, one of the cops should be able to fill out a form that says the VIN, Year, Make. So, it should be 416479, 1979, SUNLINE (not Sunspot, unless it asks for model, but I doubt it does), and then other stuff like the dry weight, etc. The cop would obviously have to see the coach, and more specifically the VIN in person to be able to fill out the form. Then you could take that form to the DMV and 'hopefully' get the title changed over. I can't imagine there would be much of a cost involved, probably just the standard title fee of like $10-15, if anything. Since it isn't changing owners, they may waive the fee (or at least they do in MI).

I don't think it's required that you change it, but it is nice to know it's correct, and if it comes time to sell it, there won't be any questions.

Good luck and let us know what you find out.
Jon

Gaelen · 10-17-2008, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tweety

Gaelen...I don't see you on the Meet & Greet list for next June's festivities at Buttonwood in PA. Come on down! We'd love to meet you and you'd be a celebrity with that Sunspot

Well--unfortunately the Buttonwood M&G is the same weekend as TearUp the Adirondacks, a teardrop and tiny trailer gathering at Fish Creek Pond in NY that I've already committed to attend...as long as I stay healthy! But I'm sure we'll meet up somewhere.