In the process of a full restro and I want to take VIN tag off because there is some rust around the tag. Should I remove it or work around it (which to me is half ass)? Is the revit available (being a hexigon shape, 8 sided I think)to give it the factory look? What have you guys done?
Thanks, Brian

Touchy subject for some.. but I'd remove it.. and reinstall it with correct rivets.. a search of ebay will bring up several sellers.

Again, many here will tell you this is a No No.. but I believe that when doing this on your own personal car for restoration purposes and when the same tag will be reinstalled... it's fine.. might not be the legal thing in some States.. but it's done all the time..

I'm not going to give an opinion about removing it, but if you do Brian, it might be wise to take a bunch of "before" and "after" pictures to properly show why it was done, as it may be questioned at some future time.

Is the revit available (being a hexigon shape, 8 sided I think)to give it the factory look?

Google is your friend. :D Try this: rosette vin rivets

I'm not going to give an opinion about removing it, but if you do Brian, it might be wise to take a bunch of "before" and "after" pictures to properly show why it was done, as it may be questioned at some future time.

Also, do you know any Police officers, or maybe give a call first to police/highway patrol and inquire if there is a proper way to do this and keep the original tag ( I would divulge any personal info, just see if there is a legal procedure to document the R&R...


I tend to agree with what Mike/Mystery said, BUT, do we really know Brian/Rusty Rat, or his true intentions? I know if I was going to swap vins and wanted info, I'd say I was "just removing it for the resto"... But then again, I am a bit pessimistic... ;)

This is a touchy subject. I just watched an epoisode of chasing classic cars on discovery channel, where the dmv came in and was inspecting vin. nos. on cars being auctioned off. If the tags looked suspisious, they pulled the cars to get further documentation. So if it were me i would check with local and state law inforcement to keep every thing on the up and up...jmo

Just talked to the local popo on this....the reason it looks like its 8 sided is because its riveted from the bottom UP.....not from the TOP down....just a little FYI

From I have read it is illegal to posess the rosette rivets.

This is part of the law in Michigan: The bill adds the offenses created by Senate Bill 718 to the sentencing guidelines provisions. Buying, selling, exchanging, or giving away paraphernalia capable of changing or misrepresenting a motor vehicle's identity will be categorized as a Class G property felony, with a statutory maximum sentence of four years' imprisonment. Buying, receiving, or obtaining a motor vehicle or vehicle part with the intent to sell or dispose of it, knowing that its identification number has been altered or removed, will be categorized as a Class E property felony, with a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years' imprisonment.

Thanks guys, Just to let everyone know this is a # matching car in pretty ruff shape, and I have absolutly NO intensions of swapping vin tags. I just feel that with the rust around it that it would not look good, and I'd like to the right way. Thanks for the info.
Brian

OK with all that said what do i do with my 70 chevelle that water must have sat on the dash a while and all i can read of whats left of the vin tag is I36370L1 and the rest of the tag is rusted away...i got the actual vin from under the blower assembly (and its correct),do i leave the tag unlegable?
kevin

OK with all that said what do i do with my 70 chevelle that water must have sat on the dash a while and all i can read of whats left of the vin tag is I36370L1 and the rest of the tag is rusted away...i got the actual vin from under the blower assembly (and its correct),do i leave the tag unlegable?
kevin

Start a new post b/c that is different topic and might get lost here. :yes:

OK with all that said what do i do with my 70 chevelle that water must have sat on the dash a while and all i can read of whats left of the vin tag is I36370L1 and the rest of the tag is rusted away...i got the actual vin from under the blower assembly (and its correct),do i leave the tag unlegable?
kevin


Thats a 1 not an I at the beginning

Start a new post b/c that is different topic and might get lost here. :yes:


ok thanks mystery...

As Chris noted, it's known to be illegal in the state of Michigan to own/sell/use/give away/etc. the correct rivets. Other states may vary on the legal issue of owning/selling them since there are web sites selling the rivets and even Hemmings accepts ads to sell the rivets although they admit it's a gray area as far as ethics are concerned.

I agree with most others here, check with your local DMV, Highway Patrol, etc. and tell them honestly you wish to remove the VIN plate to prevent damage and repair the area around the tag. It may be as simple as some law enforcement official visiting the car and collecting pertinent information then signing off on the removel and maybe some stipulation that it be reinspected after the work is done to ensure the same VIN plate went back on the same car.

Yes, it's "done all the time" by body shops and even home enthusiasts and most of the time nobody knows or cares and life goes on. But it only takes that one instance where your car might be singled out for some type of inspection and it's found the VIN plate has been off the car and you have questions to answer...

Ya' know, the WWW is great for finding some things BUT there is a common sense approach to some things, rather than get a bunch of misleading information because anyone can say anything on the web.

Talk to your local DMV and Highway Patrol about what to do in YOUR state.

I mean, I might be able to tell you what MY state might say before their rules changed last week or last year but what good would that do.