58, should it have pop rivets or screws holding the VIN ID plate on?

[Brandon T.]

Mine has pop rivets which is what you would think is correct but every car of that eara I see on ebay etc.. has screws.

which is correct? or did they do both or something.

[Edward J.]

Re: 58, should it have pop rivets or screws holding the VIN ID plate on?

Brandon, the C3 cars I have seen have a pop rivit, however the head of the rivit does not look like your average rivit, the head has knotchs around the head of rivit.

[Barry H.]

Re: 58, should it have pop rivets or screws holding the VIN ID plate on?

Brandon, Vin Plates on all 58's were held on with 2 "button head" Phillips screws. Check the pic in the judging manual, or Noland Adams book. Barry

[Edward J.]

Re: 58, should it have pop rivets or screws holding the VIN ID plate on?

Barry, that might be a type O brandon has a 68?

[Jack C.]

Re: 58, should it have pop rivets or screws holding the VIN ID plate on?

I believe he has a 58 also.

[Brandon T.]

Re: 58, should it have pop rivets or screws holding the VIN ID plate on?

Yes, this question was on my 58, with my 68 somewhat at the status I want it at I've been working on my c1 the past couple days. Got all the chrome trim, interior, bumpers, and today got the windshield off!

anyway I had just been thinking why mine has pop rivets instead of screws. Could it be the past owner wanted to make sure it didn't get loose and come off or what, not sure. Things like tha on these old cars intrest me and I try to find out the story behind it.

the 2nd owner who I bought it from bought it from the 1st owner in 1975. He was the type if it wasn't broke he wasn't going to touch it so I don't see him doing this. Must have been the original owner, who I did get in touch with his wife only to find out he had passed away dec of 2008

I had the car before then too! wish I had been quicker finding the original owner, his wife was thrilled the car was still around and sent me a picture of it when it was new.

anyway..so screws are correct pop rivets aren't. thanks!

[Philip C.]

Re: 58, should it have pop rivets or screws holding the VIN ID plate on?

Hi Brandon while your at it is your vin plate aluminum or stainless steel are the numbers stamped in from the front or stamped in from the back? Phil 8063

[Nathan P.]

Re: 58, should it have pop rivets or screws holding the VIN ID plate on?

Brandon, I have a 59 and the tag is pop riveted which is incorrect as I have found out from reading but I also think I found out why. I was reading the forum on the solid axle corvette club . Apparently there are a number of policeman that don't know anything about older corvettes and whenever they pulled one over and saw it had a screwed on vin tag their first thought was that it must be from another car, so they would have the car impounded until the owner could be proven. My car was purchased in the Seattle area and that is where they were talking about. We all know how much we would love to have our pride and joy sitting in an impound yard so rather than continue to have problems the tag would get riveted on, not correct but way less hassle.

[Brandon T.]

Re: 58, should it have pop rivets or screws holding the VIN ID plate on?

Brandon, I have a 59 and the tag is pop riveted which is incorrect as I have found out from reading but I also think I found out why. I was reading the forum on the solid axle corvette club . Apparently there are a number of policeman that don't know anything about older corvettes and whenever they pulled one over and saw it had a screwed on vin tag their first thought was that it must be from another car, so they would have the car impounded until the owner could be proven. My car was purchased in the Seattle area and that is where they were talking about. We all know how much we would love to have our pride and joy sitting in an impound yard so rather than continue to have problems the tag would get riveted on, not correct but way less hassle.

Ah! yeah could be the same thing here, I had just noticed all but mine were just screwed in.

thanks for the story.

[John D.]

Re: 58, should it have pop rivets or screws holding the VIN ID plate on?

Brandon. Nolands book. Page 255 and 256 for trim tag mounting info.
Phillips head screw stated. Now his photo isn't that clear though. Maybe someone could put up nice pic of correct pan head phillips screw. JD

[Jim T.]

Re: 58, should it have pop rivets or screws holding the VIN ID plate on?

Not a Corvette, but my two 58 Impalas I owned in 64-66 had screws attaching the trim tags.

[Mike M.]

Re: 58, should it have pop rivets or screws holding the VIN ID plate on?

Hi Guys
Sorry, but details sometimes bug me and this could be a TomAto, Tomahto thing, but, to get it right and just to be clear...
It seems that a "Pan Head" screw has a flat surface with a rounded edge. (Typically slotted - like an upside-down skillet)
A "Button Head' is convex with little or no edge. (Like a M-Y License Plate Screw (Typically Slotted).
So, with the production VIN Tag cross recess screws having both a rounded surface and a raised edge. Wouldn't these have been "Machine Screws" (or, Binding Head)?
Maybe some one could post a screw head chart showing the three, or more.
HaND

[Cecil L.]

Re: 58, should it have pop rivets or screws holding the VIN ID plate on?

Not a Corvette, but my two 58 Impalas I owned in 64-66 had screws attaching the trim tags.

Those would have been wrong. The trim tag on full size cars were attached with special rivets.

[Kenneth B.]

Re: 58, should it have pop rivets or screws holding the VIN ID plate on?

Brandon, Vin Plates on all 58's were held on with 2 "button head" Phillips screws. Check the pic in the judging manual, or Noland Adams book. Barry

Barry is right. All early C-1'S were held on with Philip's screws. I think starting in 59/60 they were spot welded to the steering column.Then In 63 they were spot welded & later riveted to the support bar under the glove box.
KEN