VIN numbers on the windows of UrQ

[quk@sievers.com (Phil Payne)]

In message <97Feb3.151055mst.14984@ebm_dns.echobay.com> WLAMB@denver.echobay.com writes:

>      I was checking out a rather tired early '80s white UrQ
>      in my parking garage today. What struck me as odd was the
>      VIN numbers were etched (scratched) into the door windows
>      and rear window along the base. Are these windows so rare that
>      the owner was afraid of theft?

In the UK, the registration plate is usually assigned for the life of the 
car.   It's quite normal to find the number etched into the side windows.  
It's a way of denying professional car thieves any profit - if they steal the 
car they can't sell it without changing its identity, and if they change its 
identity they have to find the moulah for six new windows.  Cuts into their 
profit margins and hopefully puts them off the idea.
 
Using the VIN is just the same idea, exported.

--
 Phil Payne
 phil@sievers.com
 Committee Member, UK Audi [ur-]quattro Owners Club