Whats your guys take on a front end conversion

VIN matches what? A '76? Or a '73?

Its possible that someone else already converted it to the earlier bumpers. I'd check all the VIN locations. Should be able to check the one on the dash vs. the one on the radiator support and the one on the rear package tray. And of course the fender tag and door sticker, if it has them.

And take a close look at the rear bumper, if the car has the large holes in the lower panel for the shocks, or the captured nut in the frame about 8" back, then it could have just been converted over.