C3 General General C3 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Damaged VIN tag

Old 04-10-2012, 11:51 PM
  #21  
Jclgodale3
Le Mans Master
 
Jclgodale3's Avatar
 
Member Since: Nov 2004
Location: North Alabama
Posts: 6,128
Received 17 Likes on 17 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by 7T1vette
I think that's just 'bunk'.
The problem is...the vin tag has been removed. Does the DMV take the original posters word that it did in fact come off the car he is wanting to know about???
Jclgodale3 is offline  
Old 04-11-2012, 01:39 AM
  #22  
noonie
Race Director
 
noonie's Avatar
 
Member Since: Mar 2006
Location: Florida
Posts: 14,111
Likes: 0
Received 21 Likes on 19 Posts

Default

You can check these laws:
18 U.S.C §§ 511, 512, and 2321

After October 25, 1984, the falsification or removal of any VIN required by the DOT on a motor vehicle is a federal crime under 18 U.S.C. § 511. Motor vehicles which have had their DOT required VINs falsified or removed after October 24, 1984, are subject to seizure and forfeiture under 18 U.S.C. § 512. Persons trafficking in motor vehicles with DOT required VINs that have been falsified or removed after October 24, 1984, are subject to prosecution under 18 U.S.C. § 2321. See 130 Cong.Rec. S13584 (daily ed. October 4, 1984). See also H.R.Rep. No. 1456 on H.R. 4178, 96th Congress, 2d Sess. 25-26 (1980); 125 Cong.Rec. 12244 (1979).
States do provide for installation of the rivets usually by the state police but I have never heard of them reinstalling an original vin, only a state issued bin.

Your original vin tag, no matter how bad a shape, is still the best option. Hope you have bunches of other documentation.


I wonder if this guy knows this is illegal.
http://www.northeastshooters.com/vbu...-for-VIN-plate

Classic Car Restoration - Rosette Rivets for VIN plate

I have 50 OEM Rosette Rivets that were used by American Auto Manufacturers, from the 50's to the 90's to attach the VIN plates to the dash/firewall. Any quality restoration will need these to reattach the VIN plate after repairs are completed.

Aftermarket reproduction rivets sell for as much as $30 per rivet. I had these on eBay and they were selling like crazy, until they pulled my ad due to their typical liberal BS rules.

These are New Old Stock, factory original rivets. They are called Rosette Rivets, because they have a flower pedal shape to them, while regular rivets are round. They are semi-gloss black finished stainless steel and were only used for VIN plates.

What is also cool about this package, is that they came on a belt for a semi-auto belt fed rivet gun. Simply insert the tip of the gun in the hole and pull the trigger. It set the rivet and cycled the next rivet into the bore for the next hole. Like a SAW or a BMG
Windham-20120114-00007.jpg

If you, or someone you know, is into restorations, this is a very cool and impossible item to find.

I will sell these for: $25 each; $45 a pair; $80 for four; or the whole roll of 50 for $750.

I will accept PayPal (discrete), or face to face in So. NH, Burlington, MA area, or somewhere in between.

PM me for more info.
noonie is offline  
Old 04-11-2012, 09:27 AM
  #23  
73Corvette
Le Mans Master
 
73Corvette's Avatar
 
Member Since: Feb 2012
Location: OK
Posts: 6,644
Received 463 Likes on 374 Posts
Default

[QUOTE=noonie;1580524274]You can check these laws:
18 U.S.C §§ 511, 512, and 2321



States do provide for installation of the rivets usually by the state police but I have never heard of them reinstalling an original vin, only a state issued bin.

Your original vin tag, no matter how bad a shape, is still the best option. Hope you have bunches of other documentation.


I wonder if this guy knows this is illegal.

Wow that's just scary.......can I be arrested for posting on this thread?
73Corvette is offline  
Old 04-11-2012, 09:34 AM
  #24  
7T1vette
Team Owner
 
7T1vette's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jan 2006
Location: Crossville TN
Posts: 36,599
Received 2,713 Likes on 2,271 Posts

Default

Ignorance of the law is no excuse....but it doesn't normally land you in jail if there is no intent to perform a criminal act.

Just call the dang BMV.
7T1vette is offline  
Old 04-11-2012, 09:47 AM
  #25  
mapman
Melting Slicks
 
mapman's Avatar
 
Member Since: Aug 2001
Location: Wichita KS
Posts: 2,927
Received 66 Likes on 52 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by Jclgodale3
The problem is...the vin tag has been removed. Does the DMV take the original posters word that it did in fact come off the car he is wanting to know about???
DMV would just check the frame VIN stampings. If the frame VIN stamp didn't match the body VIN tag, then I think you would have a problem.
mapman is offline  
Old 04-11-2012, 09:49 AM
  #26  
69MA
Instructor
 
69MA's Avatar
 
Member Since: Apr 2004
Location: Taunton Ma
Posts: 201
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post

Default

I think that the law just makes it too tough for the honest person. There needs to a procedure in place to do this. Like have the DMV or State Police inspect the tag before it is removed, take the number, give you a source for the restoration tag and the rivets, you order the stuff, the company verifies the vin with State Police or DMV, they come down watch it being installed and walk away with the old one to be destroyed. I know it seems like a long process but i think most people would would rather do it the legal way. They are just not offering us an option that's palatable. Anyway i don't know this person but after a quick search i was able to locate some [URL="http://www.northeastshooters.com/vbulletin/threads/156352-Classic-Car-Restoration-Rosette-Rivets-for-VIN-plate"]rivets
69MA is offline  
Old 04-11-2012, 10:54 AM
  #27  
tfi racing
Drifting
 
tfi racing's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jan 2006
Location: Cedar,BC
Posts: 1,812
Received 26 Likes on 23 Posts

Default

Go ahead,contact your friendly,helpful department of whatever.You will get as many different answers as there are seconds in a day.The only thing they are good at is filling their days covering their worthless butts to keep their jobs...
tfi racing is offline  
The following users liked this post:
Crider (10-04-2022)
Old 04-11-2012, 12:19 PM
  #28  
champs65
Le Mans Master
 
champs65's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jan 2006
Location: Hell, NY
Posts: 8,173
Received 102 Likes on 63 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by tfi racing
Go ahead,contact your friendly,helpful department of whatever.You will get as many different answers as there are seconds in a day.The only thing they are good at is filling their days covering their worthless butts to keep their jobs...
champs65 is offline  
Old 04-11-2012, 12:39 PM
  #29  
Stroh
Drifting
Thread Starter
 
Stroh's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jan 2012
Location: Port Huron MI
Posts: 1,733
Received 269 Likes on 152 Posts

Default

Wow, thread gone wild. Thank you all for the advice, the legalese, etc.

I will not be looking to dig a deeper hole, deal with any illegal rosette rivets or any such headaches. I don't need the problem.

I have a lot of money, time, and blood invested in this restoration. It has been a great journey; one I don't wish to complicate further.

Obviously I don't want to devalue a car I've worked so hard on, but it looks to me that the DMV is the only option right now. It'll have to be tomorrow though, my 12 year old has baseball practice, which is far more improtant to me than trying to fix my own mistake.

Truth be told, that part of the birdcage was so bad, it had to be replaced. I had no choice but remove the VIN tag. And now it seems I have no choice but devalue my car.

I apologize for the quandry and thank you for your input.
Stroh is offline  
Old 04-11-2012, 12:50 PM
  #30  
dboz
Burning Brakes
 
dboz's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jul 2005
Location: Northeast Ohio
Posts: 866
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post

Default

There was a guy on EBAY that sold the pop rivets that were needed to look official. Obviously he is no longer able to sell them. This is one reason there are so many fakes out there. You could find a wrecked car, heist the VIN tag a put it on a different car. In fact, the ELEANOR clone people got busted doing the same thing.

HAHA, just sawa few posts up about the guy on EBAY. And there he is.
dboz is offline  
Old 04-11-2012, 01:08 PM
  #31  
The13Bats
Race Director
 
The13Bats's Avatar
 
Member Since: Mar 2003
Location: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
Posts: 11,608
Received 771 Likes on 644 Posts

Default

The kicker to me is, people are faking VIN tags everyday on legal cars ( perhaps not all are legal )
But on restorations and like I said in my first post about street rods,
People do this...they break the law to get what they want, I even saw in this thread it was in a back door way suggested to the OP to break the law and do it,

I just do not understand why the DMV will not allow approved replacement factory look VIN tags for people proving they have a legal car and want it restored 100% factory...the DMV could tack a fee on this and isn't that what they are really all about?
The13Bats is offline  
Old 04-11-2012, 03:03 PM
  #32  
73Corvette
Le Mans Master
 
73Corvette's Avatar
 
Member Since: Feb 2012
Location: OK
Posts: 6,644
Received 463 Likes on 374 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Stroh
Wow, thread gone wild. Thank you all for the advice, the legalese, etc.

I will not be looking to dig a deeper hole, deal with any illegal rosette rivets or any such headaches. I don't need the problem.

I have a lot of money, time, and blood invested in this restoration. It has been a great journey; one I don't wish to complicate further.

Obviously I don't want to devalue a car I've worked so hard on, but it looks to me that the DMV is the only option right now. It'll have to be tomorrow though, my 12 year old has baseball practice, which is far more improtant to me than trying to fix my own mistake.

Truth be told, that part of the birdcage was so bad, it had to be replaced. I had no choice but remove the VIN tag. And now it seems I have no choice but devalue my car.

I apologize for the quandry and thank you for your input.
Hey Stroh,,, It's just my opinion but, I don't think you de-valued your car at all..... I know when I used to trade and train horses the papers were (all that)....and I would just tell someone that was interested in some outstanding horse I had .....
heck, you can't ride the papers! "You like it, here's my price".........You have done an outstanding job and if you ever decide to sell her........I think the tag will be of little or no consequence. Plus you have all the documentation.........
73Corvette is offline  
Old 04-11-2012, 05:49 PM
  #33  
Manuel Azevedo
Burning Brakes
 
Manuel Azevedo's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jan 2007
Location: Concord Calif
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Default

Wow! lots of different opinions and maybe none wrong also but which way does one go? First is that in most states it is illegal to remove the vin plate for any reason, which means you are already in an illegal position. If you buy a really good repo with the correct numbers on it get the correct looking rivets your good to go. If done like this what would anyone one be looking at to say something is not right? Your frame numbers and ownership papers numbers all add up, no indicators to anyone that there is a problem here cause there isn't one. Just my opinion here.
Manuel Azevedo is offline  
Old 04-11-2012, 06:35 PM
  #34  
sweeet76
Burning Brakes
 
sweeet76's Avatar
 
Member Since: May 2008
Location: pensacola fl
Posts: 948
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

I would start with making phone calls to the DMV. Nobody there knows who you are so that should keep them from confiscating you and your car. Maybe, just maybe after a couple of calls to different departments, you might get the same answer twice and know more of which way to go. Good Luck.
sweeet76 is offline  
Old 10-01-2022, 02:26 PM
  #35  
Holmesboy1968
1st Gear
 
Holmesboy1968's Avatar
 
Member Since: Oct 2022
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Bowerss2
Maybe. But my point is that like it or not people DO reproduce them. And some are so good you will NEVER know the difference. Even if it is a car with those fancy rosette rivets they are available.

And again i am just being a devil's advocate here but what is the harm in replacing a vin tag with one that has the same info on it? I mean you are not attempting to defraud just to restore.

Yes it may be illegal but you are kidding yourself if you say it isnt done and more common than many NCRS people would have you believe. People have gotten damn good at reproducing them. Just like head stamps. Sure there are some half assed ones but people have gotten very good at forgeries
where could someone find someone that can recreate a tag
Holmesboy1968 is offline  
Old 10-04-2022, 04:32 PM
  #36  
DKM-106
Melting Slicks
 
DKM-106's Avatar
 
Member Since: Aug 2013
Posts: 2,000
Received 699 Likes on 425 Posts

Default

So the laws are different by state and then there is the federal law. It is illegal to remove and reattach a vin federally unless you meet the following exceptions:A VIN number to be removed in the following cases:
  • motor vehicle scrap processors or demolishers who are acting in compliance with state law,
  • anyone who has to remove or alter the VIN to make a repair,
  • anyone who restores or replaces VIN numbers in accordance with state law, and
  • the owner of the vehicle, acting under the Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Act, removes or alters an identifying decal or sticker.2
These exceptions do not apply to people who knew that the vehicle was stolen.

A number of states including Arizona have just passed legislation to allow the removing of a vin tag and reattaching during restoration:
https://carbuzz.com/news/theres-a-ne...-going-to-love In Michigan, where the laws are different than Arizona, I believe it is illegal to buy rosette rivets or remove the vin tag. I am not a lawyer but that is what I have heard from other owners in Michigan. If it were me I would do some research and find a legal firm in your state that focusses on this and has information available on the state laws that apply. Good luck and hope you find a solution!


DKM-106 is offline  
Old 10-04-2022, 05:48 PM
  #37  
Mdbirk
Burning Brakes
 
Mdbirk's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jul 2022
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 787
Received 618 Likes on 322 Posts
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Default

You can retain your value have a new one installed professionally. Read this...
https://www.junkyardmob.com/cars/cla...te-replacement
Mdbirk is online now  

Get notified of new replies

To Damaged VIN tag

Old 10-04-2022, 06:04 PM
  #38  
210ken
Pro
 
210ken's Avatar
 
Member Since: Aug 2010
Location: Napa, CA
Posts: 516
Received 339 Likes on 182 Posts

Default

Good info DKM-106, but this is a 10 year old thread. I believe the OP Stroh has moved on from that project.
210ken is offline  
Old 10-04-2022, 06:58 PM
  #39  
DKM-106
Melting Slicks
 
DKM-106's Avatar
 
Member Since: Aug 2013
Posts: 2,000
Received 699 Likes on 425 Posts

Default

Ha. Missed the date
DKM-106 is offline  
Old 10-04-2022, 07:00 PM
  #40  
vettebuyer6369
Administrator
 
vettebuyer6369's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jul 2000
Location: About 1100 miles from where I call home. Blue lives matter.
Posts: 51,361
Received 5,320 Likes on 2,769 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by Holmesboy1968
where could someone find someone that can recreate a tag
No sales of tags on the site please, regardless of date.
vettebuyer6369 is online now  


Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Quick Reply: Damaged VIN tag



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:06 PM.