Why would someone want to change the VIN number?
No one can know for sure why but I don't believe it is uncommon which is a good case for researching before you buy. Several scenarios I can think of if the original tag was missing...to match the advertised year...88" and 109" have different vin number ranges, there are also different vin number ranges for homeland or export. The tag does look like it has been re-stamped...the depressions appear to be much deeper and more pronounced than I have seen on most. I did a check on LR fact site...I couldn't find an exact match but the range does fall into 1966 88" IIa for export. I've seen vin tags that are very hard to read...perhaps someone just re-stamped so that the numbers were legible.
Thanks for the insight, parrie. Hopefully it's just for legibility. With winter coming, I'm trying to spend some more time in the garage, so hopefully I start making more progress soon. Just revisiting roversnorth right now to order a new clutch master and a new radiator.