55.2-59 re-attaching VIN tag

[MJN]

Anyone have tips on how to reattach the spot welded VIN tag to the a-pillar on a 55.2-59 cab? Mine is still attached but planned on removing it in the future for paint/body work on the cab and then reattaching it.

[Russell Ashley]

Mine is pop riveted on. The pop rivets are not the typical hardware store type so I doubt that anyone at an inspection station would know the difference. The stamped numbers on the frame match the tag so that's good. My truck was restored once so I suspect that why the tag was removed. Georgia never titled vehicles before 1962 models but some states are pretty strict on things like this so I would check before I removed it.

[_Ogre]

do not remove the vin tag without talking to someone (of knowledge) at the dmv or highway patrol
they will probably tell you not to do it.

[e015475]

I restored a car a few years back that had an aluminum VIN plate pop riveted onto the firewall. I took the VIN plate off to paint the firewall, polished it and reinstalled it with similar pop rivets and didn't give it a second thought.

When I took it to the DMV to have the inspection done, the inspector looked at the VIN plate and asked if I'd removed it. I told him I had and he left for a few minutes and returned with a cold chisel and a claw hammer and announced his intention to remove the VIN plate and that I'd somehow committed some kind of fraud.

I asked that before he chiseled of my VIN plate off my fresh paint job with a claw hammer, could he please let me talk to his supervisor.

I don't remember exactly how the issue got settled, but I didn't have to remove my VIN plate. IIRC it had something to do with showing them a VIN stamped into some other location on the car that matched.

But to Ogre's point, don't remove any VIN tags without talking ot the DMV first.

[MiraclePieCo]

Would not a licensed restoration shop be officially qualified to remove, restore and replace a VIN tag? After all, it could be common procedure not only in restorations but in collision repair.

[Jesse Z]

Originally Posted by e015475

I restored a car a few years back that had an aluminum VIN plate pop riveted onto the firewall. I took the VIN plate off to paint the firewall, polished it and reinstalled it with similar pop rivets and didn't give it a second thought.

When I took it to the DMV to have the inspection done, the inspector looked at the VIN plate and asked if I'd removed it. I told him I had and he left for a few minutes and returned with a cold chisel and a claw hammer and announced his intention to remove the VIN plate and that I'd somehow committed some kind of fraud.

I asked that before he chiseled of my VIN plate off my fresh paint job with a claw hammer, could he please let me talk to his supervisor.

I don't remember exactly how the issue got settled, but I didn't have to remove my VIN plate. IIRC it had something to do with showing them a VIN stamped into some other location on the car that matched.

But to Ogre's point, don't remove any VIN tags without talking ot the DMV first.

Ha ha, we should start a "DMV Horror Story" thread!

[whitedog76]

If you have a good title, what’t it matter? I doubt the slightly above minimum wage state worker knows what is correct on a 60 or 70 year old truck.

[Rickysnickers]

Don't remove it. You'll be opening a can of worms. Aside from the nasty comments about above minimum wage government employees, DMV inspectors and Highway Patrol officers do know what type of rivets hold on your VIN plate

[whitedog76]

I’ve never had anyone ever look at the VIN plate on anything. Of course, I’ve always had good titles. I even bought a “homemade trailer” from a guy, no issues. He had his paperwork in place too.

[mr48chev]

Originally Posted by MiraclePieCo

Would not a licensed restoration shop be officially qualified to remove, restore and replace a VIN tag? After all, it could be common procedure not only in restorations but in collision repair.

NO, they are getting more strict on the vin tag all the time. Too many stolen vehicles with vin tags taken off hulks with titles and a good tag.

They busted some shop in the Pacific North West a few years ago that was basically doing just that. Buy a hulk with a good title and vin and get their hands on a stolen rig that was pretty close to an exact match but in great if not restored condition. Then they ran the stolen rig into the shop, stripped it down painted it, swapped the vin and put it back together and resold it. I some cases they used the stolen car To rebuild a customer car while billing for body work and replacement parts.

[MiraclePieCo]

I sure see a lot of like-new VIN tags on show cars. Clearly they are removing and replacing the VIN plate, legally or not.

Also, replacing cabs is a common restoration practice on these old trucks. When you change a cab, unless you swap VIN plates, you're changing the VIN number. Or if the frame has a VIN number stamped now you have a vehicle with two VIN numbers. Any way you do it, it's illegal by DMV standards.

Another issue would be states which prior to the 1970s titled vehicles by the engine numbers. When you remove the engine, you are essentially removing the VIN. Yet no one seems to have an issue with that...

[Killer Bee]

back to the op, so what's the occasion for anyone to ever look at your vin after titled and registered to you?

I've gone through a few vin verification procedures, but only once at time of purchase to get them titled and registered..

is it titled and registered in your name now? concerned about selling?

answers to those questions may get you closer to determining your options

good luck!

[DransportGarage]

Test.

[MJN]

I knew this would open a can of worms. I've been through the inspection process before because of a VIN plate so its not anything new- its a hassle. My 56 is titled and registered in my name, even had to have the VIN verified by a Sheriff when I put Collector plates on it over 10 years ago. There is no reason for anyone to look at the VIN, wouldn't see it unless you opened the door anyway. Main reason is just to keep it original as part of the restoration and since its welded onto the cab and not riveted it got me wondering if there was a way to weld it back on without destroying it.

[DransportGarage]

Test.

[dsraven]

I know I am in Alberta Canada so a different story up here. I contacted the dmv and they put me in contact with the insurance bureau of Canada who said I could remove the vin tags for sandblasting or restoration but to take pics before and after, keep the vin tags till done along with the bill of sale for each unit or part, then they come out when it is back looking like a single piece, inspect the whole unit and if it passes they issue a whole new 17 digit vin and description of the vehicle (in my case rebuilt from parts) and the vin is nothing like anything that relates to a GM reference number from there forward. no way to check what the original vin should have come from factory with. in my case it won't matter because my truck is made from parts anyway-3 trucks. if I had not done this in a certain manner the truck may not have been register-able. they are watching pretty close for stolen restored vehicles with a different vin tag attached after the fact or home done re-vinned vehicles or parts of vehicles stolen and used on something else or vehicles that have been modified for power and in doing so may not be insured properly afterwards. lots of guys buy something old and stock, get it going and fix enough to pass inspection, then lic and insure it, then hotrod it with big power after that. that means the stock truck insurance is no longer valid due to the unmentioned mods and no advisory to the insurance co or the dmv. these units would possibly be a risk for other drivers on the road because the hotrod may not have valid insurance so if they cause damage to another vehicle, through crash or whatever, there is no valid coverage. up here they need an inspection if the vehicle has been modified or has not been licenced lately or has changed hands a few times since the last registered owner. had I not done this properly my mechanic's lic may have been in jeopardy as well because I should have known better.
anyway, just a heads up. it is possibly opening up a can of worms.
also, I have never seen a vin plate welded on from factory and the factory rivets are for sure different than a regular pop rivet. when mine was retagged the inspector took a pic of the truck, the vin tag, the tag location etc. there is a file generated for each one. after the inspection there is still another "out of province" inspection required for mechanical safety. all together it will likely be about 2 grand for the inspections. check your local laws before you do anything like a vin tag removal. there is also the possibility of a big fine, impound/siezure of the vehicle and/or jail time if they think you are a fraudster, up here anyway.
play it safe and ask first

[MJN]

Originally Posted by DransportGarage

Can of worms? I didn't write what I did because I needed to practice my social skills. I had my '59 T-bird impounded in 1967 because of a registration irregularity - by the PARK POLICE in Mount Airy Forest. Any irregularity counter to state law will get you there.

Social skills, or lack thereof, aside...please forgive me for asking a question.

[franken]

Removing the VIN tag is against US federal law. I'm pretty sure nothing more needs to be said.

[mongocanfly]

I didnt know vin plates were ever welded on...I'd check with dmv 1st....
Somebody looks at vins... you see in the news all the time where a classic car was recovered many yrs after it was stolen and returned to the rightful owner.....

[Killer Bee]

Originally Posted by MJN

<snip>
I've been through the inspection process before because of a VIN plate so its not anything new- its a hassle. My 56 is titled and registered in my name, even had to have the VIN verified by a Sheriff when I put Collector plates on it over 10 years ago. There is no reason for anyone to look at the VIN, wouldn't see it unless you opened the door anyway. Main reason is just to keep it original as part of the restoration and since its welded onto the cab and not riveted it got me wondering if there was a way to weld it back on without destroying it.

with this in mind, I agree with most of the above, do what you need to do to complete your restore, just be responsible about it.. I think if you let your query soak for a little bit, you might get some responses from folks that have successfully reattached the style of plate you're working with and get some good ideas..

as for the cautions and horror stories, while they are noteworthy, without full details of all parties involved they aren't necessarily relevant to you or your situation.. I personally have very, very, rare occasion to be stopped by law enforcement as may be the case with you [op].. maybe not so for others, ymmv as they say..

I'm confident believing that vin plates are R&R often enough in legitimate manners not to be overly concerned about it if I had the need on one of my vehicles and I wasn't attempting fraud which flat isn't my way and would never attempt [I hate liars, cheaters, and thieves]

good luck with your restore!

[MiraclePieCo]

Originally Posted by franken

Removing the VIN tag is against US federal law. I'm pretty sure nothing more needs to be said.

Again, you fail to address my question: When replacing a cab, the VIN tag is attached to that cab. By removing the cab you have removed the VIN tag and replaced it with another. Put the tag from the old cab on the new? Oops, strictly according to law that's illegal too.

For restorers, the question isn't nearly as cut-and-dried as you propose.

[Killer Bee]

Originally Posted by franken

Removing the VIN tag is against US federal law. I'm pretty sure nothing more needs to be said.

not an absolute true statement.

the code is more explicit but this pamphlet summary does explain the major points.. and for the most part, there is no real active federal enforcement, motor vehicle code and enforcement is handled state level..

please note the exceptions and conditions with regards to federal code and how it references state law

https://www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.do...vin_errors.pdf

[joedoh]

Originally Posted by dsraven

also, I have never seen a vin plate welded on from factory

60-66 are spot welded, two dots in two depressions, and its not uncommon for the spot welds to fail and the tag to fall off. I havent seen the 55-59 but they may be the same.

Originally Posted by Jesse Z

Ha ha, we should start a "DMV Horror Story" thread!

oh man, my county inspector was a real pain in the poker. when they moved the inspection station (consolidated all the different inspection stations really) he retired and there was some giant percentage increase in throughput because he wasnt checking for cave drawings in your butt any more. couldnt have that, so he UNretired. word is he retired again, I quit buying stuff over 1950 because it all gets inspected over and including that year when buying on a bill of sale. if it didnt run and drive sometimes he would give a non highway title to make you bring it back before getting a good title! and if it didnt run and drive you could not leave it on the trailer for inspection, had to be off for "safety"

the rigorous inspection is the deterrent, I doubt very much if our state has a real problem with car cutters with those draconian laws in place. and thats the point, with those laws they are trying to catch the "buy a wreck/ restore a stolen car" guys. they could and should care less about the $200-$1000 truck guys who just rolled it out of a field and the only warm body thats touched the vin plate in the last 50 years belonged to a SQUIRREL.

here in kansas, you can call out a trooper to watch you remove the tag, but its a little tricky to replace it, some guys say you can some guys say you will have a new ID assigned like mentioned. no matter what, contact your local office for vehicle inspections and ask first.

[mr48chev]

I have one of those nice pretty new replacement door post tags for my 48 but am thinking about fastening my old one back on with the stock clutch head screws that they used on 48's and painting over the ugly thing just like had been done several times before. tape off the spot where the number is stamped and call it good.

I also have to get my name corrected on the title as they misspelled it when I moved back up here in 1977 and it has been wrong ever since. With so many body mods on it I don't want some law enforcement officer in another state to question why the name on the registration doesn't match mine.

[vics stuff]

Those strange style rivets are available on e bay. They are costly though.
Vic