The Jan./Feb. 09 issue of Pontiac Enthusiast mag has an interesting article about why you shouldn't display certain info about your car. By displaying your vin and cowl tags, it allows criminals to copy, photograph or memorize the info so they can create a copy of the vin later. The cowl tag gives them the color and interior codes allowing them to clone your car, making a less valuable car appear to be something that it's not (such as a special edition)
Displaying factory invoices and build sheets also gives criminals the info they need..With the vin and a credit card, they can get documentation for the car, without proving ownership. Imagine the problems that could occur if someone had another car and vin identical to yours! Try proving that your car is the authentic one, or that you are the real owner! The invoice also contains key codes, which could allow someone to get keys cut to steal your car. Of course you were nice enough to also put your name and town on your windshield or display board for them!
Many trailered show cars aren't registered, which makes it harder for you to prove that the car is yours.
With the vin and photos from the show or internet, they can also take out loans using your car as collateral. When they skip town, you are left with the loan.
Never display a current or old title. They contain both the vin AND your address!
Speaking of vins- have you checked to make sure that your number is correct on your registration and insurance policy? If they aren't and the car is in an accident or stolen, the insurance company is not obligated to pay because your policy covers a car with a different vin, not yours.
Protect yourself!
1.-Cover or put tape over your vin. Only remove it to show the judge.
2.-Don't display documentation
3. Don't post any documentation or photos that reveal any info on the web, and don't let strangers know where you live.
4. Keep your car registered to prove that the car is still yours.
5. Be cautious when buying a car. Make sure that the vin has not been tampered with and question paperwork that seems to be too good to be true.

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I know a lot of people don't like what I've done to modify "Birdie". However I have gotten a surprising amount of positive feedback. Now that you have seen the "Old" brown Birdie, do you like the original, or his new look? (Or do you just hate the wing?) I'd love to hear your pros & cons. Thanks! Sue

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I received a lot of questions after posting my "Cayne" album. I'll try to answer them for everyone.
I'm not an artist but have always "dabbled" in all kinds of crafts-In 7th grade I took up leathercraft as a hobby. Classmates wanted me to make them bracelets and belts also. The proceeds from my hobby, bought me my first 2 cars and turned into a profession for many years.
In high school I was the first girl in our school to INSIST that I be allowed to take woodworking. (It was 1971-girls don't take shop, they take HOME MAKING!!!!) As a result, We ended up building our log home and I took up wood carving. I have been a garden center manager for the last 13 years
Cayne was rusted out, originally that medium blue metallic paint. The murals were my way of being able to cover up the bondo. What was it like to drive a mural? The kids at school thought it was cool! My Dad used to take the car to the grammer school that he worked at, because he loved the attention also. The cops also loved it! I learned the phrase " I pulled you over, because I thought your registration was expired". But, they never gave me a hard time( after they couldn't find any drugs in the car. It was the 70's! There MUST be drugs in a car like that! My registration said"Blue". ( There was still blue on it). What happened to the car? Because of mechanical problems, I sold it to a guy that owned a lawn mower business. It sat on his lot for years, then finally disappeared.

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TAMATT79 was nice enough to post all those wonderful pics of us and our cars at the Nats, but there was one thing he forget. Himself!!!! He was seen taking pictures from the roof of the hotel!

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Last year Birdie's hood cracked where the L88 scoop had been epoxied to it. We were forced to quickly replace it with a fiberglass one for the "Nationals", finishing it only the day before we left. My plans for an airbrushed bird had to wait-until now! His first show will be the "Nats" Hope to see you there! Sue

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