I would suggest that the original VIN needs to remain on the body as the replacement or "repair" of the front end with round nose panels is a minor part of the original body/car.
I made this decision when I repaired my clubman with later model round nose panels and reinserted the original clubman VIN top radiator panel when I did my repairs. This panel needed to be modified to the same shape as the roundy so it would fit.
I hope this action will assist with an easier registration approval as I have the original papers with the clubman numbers but no papers for the roundy numbers.
Comparison of top radiator panel with VIN, before modifying.
After modifying Clubbie panel to Roundy shape.
Fitted to car
Finished

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1969 Cooper "S"
1967 Mini Deluxe
1973 Clubman Van (the fleet spare)
1978 ex 1275 LS ("Wizard" Eaton Supercharged)

2015 HSV GenF GTS(occasional drive & tow car)
2019 MINI F55 Cooper S