Every motor vehicle and nonconventional type motor vehicle shall have and contain a manufacturer's vehicle identification number, which number shall not be obliterated, erased, mutilated, removed or missing. This section shall not affect those persons authorized by law to have in their possession a motor vehicle on which the manufacturer's number or numbers have been obliterated, erased, mutilated, removed or missing.
N.J.S. § 39:10-7