I agree Larry,, I've asked that same question.. if your going to make a fantasy machine, who cares if it's a VMC generic, or a Coke 81D or even a 81b model.. Heck it's FANTASY... so who cares.. I have often thought of taking an 81a and making a fantasy machine out of it... I'ts MY fantasy anyways right? ??
but to each their own...
One thing to consider is a generic 81 is a VMC. And an 81a, b or d is a vendo. So if you cut up one of those, you wouldn't have the VMC bezel or lower VMC decal.