I'm looking at this 65 GTO that is for sale. The guy has a frame off restoration 60% done. Like a fool he removed the vin tag off the door jamb to change the color the the car and paint behind it. He didn't realize the rivets were special rosette type....now what? If I buy the car how am I gonna put the tag back on without looking like I cloned the car...It has all kinds of documentation so that's not the problem...It's still not gonna beright with hardware store rivets on a $30,000 car.Same story on the trim tag but I know you can get repop rivets for those. What's the answer?

Sounds a little funny that he would he would also take off the trim tag...unless there was some rust forming in that area. I think (Trimtags.com) sells what you are looking for. Report back with your findings. If it is the star rivets, I should get some also for my car, as it did have some rust forming under it,replaced mine with regular rivets.No big shows for me,so it does not seem like a big deal. DANO

The trim tag would be a small problem, but the VIN tag rivets are a federal offense problem. Mere posession of those rivets can be the reason for prosecution. I would go to the local DMV office and tell them the story. If you do not like what they tell you, then move on. Forget that car.

The reason he pulled the trim tag was because EVERYTHING was sandblasted and he didn't want the tag destroyed...yeah , yeah we ALL know removing both tags was stupid but what is done is done and going to the DMV seems a little more than foolish. I'm trying to stay out of trouble, not get into it.So what you are telling me is the is no source for these rivets? Doesn't seem possible.

Those rivets are a dime a dozen. Go to a junkyard and cut out a VIN tag.Grind the rivets off from the back side. Dap some epoxy in your holes and stick the rivet in. Done deal.Everyone gets their panties in a bunch over original rivets. In the resto biz theres nothing wrong with removing a tag and replacing it on the same car. Its when you try to defraud by changing tags that it gets illegal.I use standard rivets, unless its a high end resto, If the car is legit the hidden VINS will tell the story.

I thought I saw the star rivets advertised through a post here at TC? Could be wrong I guess, it wouldn't be the first time.Time to find a junk car and cut out a tag and the surrounding metal and bring home and somehow disect the rivets out of it. If you find the new replacement star rivets let us know.

I removed my VIN tag while sandblasting not realizing the consequences. People do get overly excited though... Maybe cause they've been burned in the past on buying a stolen car, etc.

I bought the rossette rivets from trimtags.com

Done deal...

Although the next car I do, I will leave the tag on.

i had a ct70 minibike that i was restoring.. i took the vin tag off too to repaint the frame....... not the best choice i made but oh well...

Originally posted by JWagner:
The trim tag would be a small problem, but the VIN tag rivets are a federal offense problem. Mere posession of those rivets can be the reason for prosecution. I would go to the local DMV office and tell them the story...sounds like alot of drama to me to go that route.Just contact Trim Tags,or better yet,have the owner contact them and make it straight with the correct or repro rivets..was this car previously registered here in CT?

{quote]It has all kinds of documentation so that's not the problem..[/quote]

But the documentation goes with the "VIN"... How sure are you of the sellers story? Are you SURE the VIN hasn't been switched? Depending on the deal/price, I would want authentication that the VIN is originally from that particular car (hidden VINs, etc)...

I would contact the local authorities that handle the verification (the Highway Patrol here in Cal) and see if they will verify and see if it is correct IF they will reuse the old VIN and simply rerivet it...

My frind bought a car without a VIN plate, but the "Hidden" numbers matched the title. There was no charge, and the only issue is that they used a "State of California" VIN plate... Not sure if they would reuse yours ... I'd check first WITHOUT bringing the car in for inspection, to see if they will reuse the old tag...

Originally posted by JWagner:
The trim tag would be a small problem, but the VIN tag rivets are a federal offense problem. Mere posession of those rivets can be the reason for prosecution. I would go to the local DMV office and tell them the story. If you do not like what they tell you, then move on. Forget that car. I bet you never pulled the tags of your matress either. Sorry, I just coudn't resist. graemlins/waving.gif

I've heard this so many times.... load of crap as far as I'm concerned, mine were removed and replaced due to rust issue. I have a truck that had the frame and cowl damaged years ago in a wreck. The dealer cut out and replaced part of the cowl, and set the body on a new frame, and removed and relocated the tag... I've been stopped once or twice and the one vehicle went through a state safety inspection, never had the cops or inspector even pay any attention to the rivets on either. Only way I could ever see that being an issue is if the car were stopped for suspected theft or drug issues. Or your such an ass when stopped that you invite trouble for yourself. Even then, with documentation of the car and the explanation of why they are different I can't see any but the most dick headed official having an issue with this.

Originally posted by JWagner:
The trim tag would be a small problem, but the VIN tag rivets are a federal offense problem. Mere posession of those rivets can be the reason for prosecution. I would go to the local DMV office and tell them the story. If you do not like what they tell you, then move on. Forget that car. BTW, I'm in possession of several of those rivets, their installed on the cars I have that have not had the trim tag removed and reinstalled. ITS A JOKE.... :D

Originally posted by 1966_L78:
{quote]It has all kinds of documentation so that's not the problem..But the documentation goes with the "VIN"... How sure are you of the sellers story? Are you SURE the VIN hasn't been switched? Depending on the deal/price, I would want authentication that the VIN is originally from that particular car (hidden VINs, etc)...
[/QUOTE]
Realizing this is a Chevelle website and not a Pontiac site let me explain one great thing about Pontiacs. after a simple payment of $45 to Pontiac Historical Services, supply any Pontiac VIN # and they will provide you with the factory build sheet on that car.Certainly MANY option are easy to swap over when you swap over or clone a car, things like tri power, power stering and brakes of course are easy.This car was White with a Turq. interior AND power windows and vinyl top. On this particular, my experience judgement tells me the trim hole for the VT are factory,The holes for the PW harness in the door are original [along with all the harness] and most importantly the original colors to THIS car were white and turq. [since changed to Red/White]

This car goes with this vin tag, no question. If it were a Yenko, maybe I'd go looking for more #'s. But on this car, I trust my own experience.Remember my question was not''how do I tell if this car is a clone'' I know it's not.

I guess the right rivets are out there, just gotta find 'em.