Anti-Theft Law Mandating ID on Car Parts Going into Effect

The federal government, stepping up efforts against automobile “chop shops,” will require that some components of frequently stolen models have identification numbers.

Under the theft-protection requirement, effective this week, cars that are popular with thieves--such as the Buick Riviera and the Toyota Celica Supra--must have the vehicle identification numbers stamped on doors, hoods, trunk lids, bumpers, rear quarter panels, front fenders, engines and transmissions.

The numbers are intended to deter theft by making the parts traceable. Only about 15% of the 1 million cars stolen each year are recovered because “chop shops” that buy them from thieves cut them up for parts.

“This law is specifically aimed to deter the ‘chop shops,’ which steal and then dismantle cars, selling the parts that now cannot be identified,” said Rep. Bill Green (R-N. Y.), House sponsor of the 1984 law establishing the numbering requirement.

This week’s Federal Register will publish the names of 65 cars to which the numbered-parts requirement could apply when 1987 models come out next fall.

The list ranks all 65 models that were above the median in frequency of theft of 1983 and 1984 models. The top 10 are the Buick Riviera, Toyota Celica Supra, Cadillac Eldorado, Chevrolet Corvette, Pontiac Firebird, Mazda RX-7, Chevrolet Camaro, Porsche 911, Pontiac Grand Prix and Oldsmobile Toronado.

Other models that have a “majority of major parts interchangeable” with cars named on the list may be added.

In addition, officials said, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration soon will publish the names of models introduced since 1984 that also will be subject to parts identification “because they are likely to have a theft rate exceeding the (1983-84) median theft rate.”

Some model names will be deleted in coming months because the law says that no manufacturer may have more than 14 models on the list, and General Motors Corp. has 20, including four of the top five.