Is that Legal to do? And yes the Vin plate is with the car
Yes, in California it is even legal to restore (not reproduce) the VIN tag itself, when authorized by the DMV. Per section 10750 (b) CVC. (Just don't ask how to get authorization....no one knows). The Fender Tag means nothing to the DMV.
10750. (a) No person shall intentionally deface, destroy, or alterthe motor number, other distinguishing number, or identification mark
of a vehicle required or employed for registration purposes without
written authorization from the department, nor shall any person place
or stamp any serial, motor, or other number or mark upon a vehicle,
except one assigned thereto by the department.
(b)
This section does not prohibit the restoration by an owner of
the original vehicle identification number when the restoration is
authorized by the department, nor prevent any manufacturer from
placing in the ordinary course of business numbers or marks upon new
motor vehicles or new parts thereof.