(a) The owner of a vehicle, the engine, serial or vehicle number of which has been altered, removed or defaced, may make application accompanied by the required fee in such form as may be prescribed by the secretary of state for a special identifying number. He shall furnish such information as will satisfy the secretary of state that he is the owner, whereupon the secretary of state shall assign a special number for the vehicle, preceded by a symbol indicating this state. A record of special numbers so assigned shall be maintained by the secretary of state.

     The owner shall cause said number to be stamped upon the engine or otherwise as directed by the secretary of state, and upon receipt by the secretary of state of a certificate by a peace officer that he has inspected and found said number affixed upon the motor vehicle as directed in a workmanlike manner, together with application for a certificate of title such special number shall be regarded as the identifying number of said vehicle.

    (b) This section is not intended to prohibit the restoration by the owner of the identifying number of the vehicle for which the certificate of title has been issued by this state, nor to prevent any manufacturer or importer, or agents, thereof, other than a dealer, from placing or stamping in the ordinary course of business, numbers on vehicles or parts thereof removed or changed and replacing the numbered parts.