Rust damaged VIN tag, what to do?

[George W.]

Windshield pillar post rust has eaten into the VIN tag.
I am going to repair/replace the birdcage rusted areas on this '68 (real 900 paint code, 427/435 conv.).
Do I need DMV to verify before removal and re-install of tag?
Ideas, comments, suggestions, previous history with this problem, please chime in.
Thank you,
George

[Lyndon S.]

[George W.]

Re: Rust damaged VIN tag, what to do?

Thanks for your response.
Sorry for the lousy photo--I'll try again.
All of the numbers are there on the VIN tag, both original rivets are in place, but the lower part of the tag is partially rusted away.
I don't think I need a new tag, but I want to remove this one and re-install it once the rust damage is repaired/replaced.
G.

[Terry M.]

Re: Rust damaged VIN tag, what to do?

George, I see you are in Texas. I wouldn't rush into contacting the DPS or DMV or whoever does that in your state. See if someone in Texas has dealt with this issue before. You can not be the first, and it is best to know the "lay of the land" before dealing with government employees. There are a lot of members here from Texas. be patient.

From an NCRS judging perspective a state issued VIN (should that become necessary) is not an issue; the matter is entirely different from the perspective of the value of your car should you ever decide to sell it.

[Lyndon S.]

Re: Rust damaged VIN tag, what to do?

Well that shouldn’t be a problem, just be sure that you try and not damage it any more than it already is when you remove it. Then paint it with a good rust preventive paint. And get the correct rivets and put it back on the car.



Well I live in Texas, but I just went through the zone office at my local dealer when mine needed replacement. But that was many moons ago, and I am not sure they even offer that service any more.

[Paul J.]

Re: Rust damaged VIN tag, what to do?

In most states it is not illegal to remove a VIN tag on a car that you own or are under contract to repair. After all, you own that number and can do what you want with the vehicle. I assume that the title is clear and the car has not been stolen or salvaged. I'm sure removing the tag is not an issue in Texas. If you are concerned, take some better pictures and document the process.

As for replacing the tag, once again you own that number and you are not changing it. I understand that there are people who can make a new tag for you, but I don't know who these are.

Terry is correct about DMV. Stay away from them unless you want your car to carry a stigma that will effect the resale value. They can do nothing more than issue a new VIN, which will not match the original. However, they may do nothing since the car already has a valid VIN, it's just not properly displayed (eaten up by rust). Don't forget that they don't know anything about automotive restoration and could care less.

There are many examples of people removing VIN's, the most recent that I have seen was on the TV show MuscleCar, where they removed the tag on a 70 Camaro for the exact same reason your talking about. They are in Tennessee.

Paul

[Steven B.]

Re: Rust damaged VIN tag, what to do?

remove it. Then paint it with a good rust preventive paint. And get the correct rivets and put it back on the car.



Well I live in Texas, but I just went through the zone office at my local dealer when mine needed replacement. But that was many moons ago, and I am not sure they even offer that service any more.

Exactly what I would do

Steve (TX Chapter)

[Cecil L.]

Re: Rust damaged VIN tag, what to do?

You will have to make your own decision, but here is what I did when I had to replace a rusty top dash panel on my 68 Camaro. I carefully drove the pins out of the rosette rivets, lightly squeezed the bulb end of the rivets and worked them out without damaging them. After I replaced the dash panel, I reinstalled the rivets using pins from a regular pop rivet and gently pulled them again slightly expanding the backside of the rivet. You would have to have the windshield out for access.

[Lyndon S.]

[Dick W.]

Re: Rust damaged VIN tag, what to do?

I would not chance a repro VIN tag. If you get caught by DMV, you are in deeper doo doo than you could ever dig your way out of. If it is detected on the judging field, the car will automatically be disqualified from judging and will be listed in the database as such.

Just very carefully remove your old tag and reuse. I like the idea of using the old rivets.

[Lyndon S.]

Re: Rust damaged VIN tag, what to do?

Dick -----


So what do you guys do when one shows up with a GM reissued VIN TAG? Cause no way in hell is that going to look like what came on the car! Yet the GM one has GM in real light then the numbers are more of a modern type font

[Dick W.]

Re: Rust damaged VIN tag, what to do?

Dick -----


So what do you guys do when one shows up with a GM reissued VIN TAG? Cause no way in hell is that going to look like what came on the car! Yet the GM one has GM in real light then the numbers are more of a modern type font

GM reissue tags are given full credit. BUT you will need documentation from Generous Motors, or other creditable sources, not third cousin's wife's brother-in-law father's wife's sister said that is the way is was done

[Terry M.]

Re: Rust damaged VIN tag, what to do?

Dick -----


So what do you guys do when one shows up with a GM reissued VIN TAG? Cause no way in hell is that going to look like what came on the car! Yet the GM one has GM in real light then the numbers are more of a modern type font

Lyndon when you order that new 1970-72 TIM&JG from the Membership office also order the NCRS Judging Reference Manual. It will tell you all about replacement VIN tags and other judging rules. It might even cover some things you have never thought of. We have been judging Corvettes for a long time and have had to make decisions about all sorts of situations. They are ALL covered in that book so no one at an NCRS meet has to wing it.

[Lyndon S.]

[Terry M.]

Re: Rust damaged VIN tag, what to do?

Just leap to conclusions with no basis Lyndon. That works fine every time.

If one has any kind of re-issued VIN NCRS requires documentation of that re-issue before the car will be judged. This protects the owner as well as NCRS from folks (previous sellers or present owners) who may have fraudulent intent. If that requirement is too onerous for the owner, perhaps they are best off taking their car someplace else to be judged. Oh, and good luck with that idea because I don't know of any Corvette judging organization that will judge a Corvette that has other than the factory installed VIN without some kind of supporting documentation. If one such group is found, please let us all know what it is. Inquiring minds and all that. Like it or not it has to do with stolen Corvettes and the long arm of the law. I, and some others, were around when stolen Corvettes were more common than they are now, but it still happens all too often.