I don't recall ever being pulled over by the DMV though so it has everything to do with cops. The VIN goes with the chassis. The average dune buggy is a rail frame and thus, does not carry the VIN from the donor car. Cops don't hassle us buggy owners though because they know these cars are assembled from VW parts so as long as you show them a VW registration, they usually are cool about it.

I've been around VW powered buggies most of my 33 years, I'm not just talking out of my ass here.