I could be wrong but I have read somewhere that only a certified/licensed shop that specializes in restoring cars can remove vin plates and re-attach them. Is this information accurate? I have seen many restored cars with vin tags that have been taped off or painted over and it looks like crap.. I am restoring my 73 camaro and I want to remove the tags but want to make sure that it is "ok".
I don't know about how lawful it is or isn't, but anybody can remove it. And to replace it all you will need is a rivet tool and some rivets. I've even seen guys replace them with screws if they didn't have a rivet tool. Screws look less appealing to the eye, but hey they work. I think the taping off and painting of vin plates is more a matter of being lazy or not willing to pop the rivets off and replacing them.
The vin plates are not fastened w/std. rivet's.The oem's use a special rivet (Called rose head rivet's) .They are hard to come by.If the wrong people see you are using the wrong rivet they may start ask question's about the real ownership of your car and you will have to prove your car is not among some of the stolen cars that have had this done .Sometimes you can find these correct rivet's thur hemming's motor news ad's.They have a special head on them.Take a look at oem rivet's on your car then look at a std. rivet head.I have made them w/ a small file.Some GM cars the rivet is put in from the under side.So make sure the rivet goes from the some direction as stock. Take photo's before removing so you can check back when it's time to go back togather,also you have proof the car was legal before you took it apart if anyone question's you later.Good luck.
Yeah I have notice the special rivets.. Though the one the on the cowl looks like any other rivet.. I think the one on the dash is "special".. I guess for some cars it isnt worth risking the value to remove and restore...
I don't know about how lawful it is or isn't, but anybody can remove it. And to replace it all you will need is a rivet tool and some rivets. I've even seen guys replace them with screws if they didn't have a rivet tool. Screws look less appealing to the eye, but hey they work. I think the taping off and painting of vin plates is more a matter of being lazy or not willing to pop the rivets off and replacing them.
Especially when its on the door jam.. Its like wtf?!?
The shop building mine removed the entire dash as I am building a custom dash, for months we thoughts we'd lost the VIN, it was getting pretty ugly as they are reverse stamped and those stamps just don't exist....
Luckily we found it.
It will be riverted back in place in the new dash...
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68 Camaro 632 BBC 800+ HP Project (600Kw)
61 Buick Lesabre Bubbletop (daily driver)......miles of smiles
I personally wouldnt remove the VIN. I lost a 76 k-5 blazer for almost 2 years that I had traded for because it had the wrong rivets holding the VIN plate in the door jamb. This vehicle had the matching # frame, engine and hidden VINS. I had to hire a lawyer and sue to get it back, In the end it was discoverd that it had been rear clipped years before and they took the plate off of the damaged portion and reattached it to the replacement body parts. I also had to have an assigned VIN put on by the Highway Patrol and lost the original ID #. It was an absolute nightmare. This happened in the state of Kansas. If you have to remove it I would make sure from the state you are in that it is legal to remove and reattach it before you touch it...........Thats my .02 cents worth
Brian Hobaugh SCCA National Tour June 2014
First Hemi 'Cuda Convertible Ever Built
Short clips: Goodguys Pleasanton autocross and pit videos
Removing VIN plate for restoration..
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