Buddy1980

Hey Guys, I am in the process of restoring my 1980 C3. Lucky for me, the birdcage and windshield post are in excellent shape. I am going to paint the windshield post and would like to remove the VIN plate and paint the area under it and also paint the VIN plate on top and bottom.
My question is do any of you know where I can buy the correct rivits to re-install the VIN plate? I understand that any rivit would hold the VIN plate, but I want the exact factory looking rivit head to re-install so if I sell the car in the future it will not look like the VIN plate was removed by a car thief etc. Thanks for any help. Also, if I paint the VIN plate, what color should it be painted?

KapsSA

DON'T remove it, why do you think they use special rivits?

pws69

It's a FEDERAL thing....

moosie982

Hey Buddy, I saw an ad in that issue of the NCRS driveline in the parts for sale section, page # 36 second ad from the bottom, Good Luck, Peace,,, moosie

daanbc

Yeah its just like the tag on the mattress.

Slotehog

but the tag on the mattress is allowed to be removed by the consumer... :/

Andy

7t9l82

just buy the rivets. there are. are other places to verify the v.i.n. if. your really paranoid have a friend order them. lol

myjunker67

you can buy those rivets on ebay...but they all ways go for at least $100,for 2 .do you really want to pay that much just to commit a federal crime?i don't think cleaning up under the vin tag is worth that much!just call it patina and leave well alone

7t9l82

the law pertains to persons engaging in a criminal act like changing a v.i.n number. there is nothing to stop you from doing what you describe. what if your windshield frame was rusted out? fixing or restoring your car is not a federal offense, yet

blckslvr79

Some people are just too paranoid.

bluthundr

Try putting a pop rivet in the chuck of a drill and carefully tightening it down with the key. It will leave a pretty good rosette looking pattern in the head of the rivet.

Easy Mike

Should be semi-flat black now. If memory serves, the VIN plate was in place at the time of black out.

Leave it and do not remove the rivets. They would have been painted, too.