C4 General Discussion General C4 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech

Replacement vin tags

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 17, 2007 | 01:41 PM
  #1  
FSmileys's Avatar
FSmileys
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 83
Likes: 1
From: Staten Island NewYork
Default Replacement vin tags

i have a 1984 corvette. The vin tag is really rusted and barely readable. Can i get a replacement vin tag. or a way to clean the one I have
Reply
Old Aug 17, 2007 | 06:56 PM
  #2  
c4cruiser's Avatar
c4cruiser
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Veteran: Army
 
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Default

There is no way to get a replacement VIN tag. The tag is affixed on the assembly line when the dash is put together.

The only way to get to the tag is to remove the windshield to clean the tag or to remove the entire dash assembly. The tag should be riveted on and if an LEO happens to look at the tag and it appears that it has been removed and replaced, he may want to ask lots of questions.
Reply
Old Aug 17, 2007 | 06:57 PM
  #3  
c4fool's Avatar
c4fool
Racer
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 267
Likes: 0
From: portageville mo
Default

Originally Posted by c4cruiser
There is no way to get a replacement VIN tag. The tag is affixed on the assembly line when the dash is put together.

The only way to get to the tag is to remove the windshield to clean the tag or to remove the entire dash assembly. The tag should be riveted on and if an LEO happens to look at the tag and it appears that it has been removed and replaced, he may want to ask lots of questions.
Reply
Old Aug 17, 2007 | 08:36 PM
  #4  
Daddy J's Avatar
Daddy J
Instructor
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 174
Likes: 3
From: Yorba Linda CA
Default

They use special rivets so removal isn't an option. Even cleaning it up can attract attention. I've a friend who sprayed his with a clear gloss urethane and while it looked great, being so shiny caused suspicions that it wasn't genuine.
Reply
Old Aug 17, 2007 | 08:54 PM
  #5  
VtVette's Avatar
VtVette
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 2,830
Likes: 20
From: Las Vegas Nevada
Default

I have the same thing on my '85. In my state if a car is bought out of state a LEO has to come and do a visual check of the VIN, and run it through NCIC. When the VIN comes back clean they sign off on the registration paper and you can register the car. A friend of mines father is a LEO so he came over and did the inspection for me. I asked him what I could do about the rusty VIN. He said it wasn't a problem he sees it from time to time especially on older convertibles. He said whatever you do don't try to clean it in any way that can cause a whole lot of headaches.
Reply
Old Aug 18, 2007 | 12:24 AM
  #6  
corvettedan22's Avatar
corvettedan22
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,659
Likes: 3
From: Oxford CT
Default

I would say take a pic and keep it RUSTY

then if u ever have the window out, run a wire brush or wire grind over it.. Clear it..




This is weird though i have noticed several c4's with rusted VIN tags

why is this

Mine is like new..
Reply
Old Aug 18, 2007 | 04:12 PM
  #7  
Bob CTS's Avatar
Bob CTS
Race Director
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 17,640
Likes: 1
From: Lenoir City TN
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
Default

My 86 was rusty and when the windshield was replaced I used a dremel with a soft wire wheel attachment and then sprayed a light coat of clear on it. I would have to say no one would have ever known after that was done. Looked factory.
Reply
Old Aug 18, 2007 | 11:34 PM
  #8  
Sunstroked's Avatar
Sunstroked
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,071
Likes: 147
From: S Nevada
Default

Yeah those special rivets can be acquired in many ways. 30 yrs ago I worked on an assembly line, a co-worker of mine would steal the rivets and sell em. I didnt ask questions, and didnt get involved.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-7

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
Old Aug 18, 2007 | 11:39 PM
  #9  
Phatoscar's Avatar
Phatoscar
Racer
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 305
Likes: 0
From: Hilmar Ca
Default

Mines steel shinny!
Reply
Old Aug 19, 2007 | 09:23 AM
  #10  
89 Bob L's Avatar
89 Bob L
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,161
Likes: 0
From: Orangeburg, NY
Default

VIN's are a very touchy issue. They are installed with special rivets and any alteration is readily visible. It is better to leave it alone rather than cleanining it up or altering it in any way.

VIN's are in many different areas of cars. They are printed on the engine, transmission, and other areas of vehicles; called hidden vin's. Depending on the make, model, and type of vehicle, they are placed in different areas. Many police officers know of the vin locations by refering to the NATB VIN manual which gives the specific meanings of vin #'s, vin locations, etc.

If it doesn't look factory, or factory with some aging, it appears suspicious.
Reply
Old Aug 19, 2007 | 07:33 PM
  #11  
pnsher17's Avatar
pnsher17
Racer
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 275
Likes: 0
From: Clarksville TN
Default

I also have an 84 and mine looks new. Where is your car kept and do you have a top for it?
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Replacement vin tags





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:37 PM.

story-0
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-2
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE