Cetrification Plates

[Tim P.]

Is there a place that carries the rivits to hold the vin plate on the doors want to look like orginal as to not raise suspisions im replacing my doors and dont want someone to question weather its a valid vin or hot parts or stolen etc.

[FORDification]

About a year ago there was an inquiry on the old FORDification forums about how to remove an VIN data tag when replacing a driver's-side door. In response to this (and a little out of personal curiosity) I took the following shots while stripping down a door.

OK...here's the 'before' shot of a VIN data tag, prior to removal:



The tags are attached with hollow soft aluminum rivets. Here's a view of the backside, inside the door cavity (and yes, this shot was taken before touching them...they look this ragged from the factory):



As you can see, these rivets are not extremely secure and can be carefully removed by using a pair of pliers to gently squeeze the exposed rivet edges enough to allow them to be pushed out. Here's a shot of the finished procedure, which took about 60 seconds:



These rivets can either be reused by simply inserting them back into the holes when reattaching the data tag and re-expanding them, or correct replacement rivets can be ordered through Mustang restoration supply houses like Marti Autoworks, but it does takes a special rivet tool.

Hope this helps!!

[crazy larry]

i used a drill bit slightly smaller than the rivet to remove mine, and a couple of pop rivets to replace it. But I don't g.a.r.a. about concours.....

[Tim P.]

Thanks for the info Keith and crazy larry it has nothin to do with concourse stuff it's got everything to do with law enforcement when they want to check a vin # sometimes they look for altercations on the vin plate or its mounting,, people do still steal vintage cars and trucks everyday i know had a mustang cobra stolen this past feburary haven't found it yet hell the parts might be on your neighbors car by now

[crazy larry]

How'd you know my neighbor has a mustang?

never thought of the legality of it. like i ever do.....

[Tim P.]

Many years ago i puchased a firebird that was 60% restored was driving it home and was stopped by the boys they looked at the vin however it had two #'s so they impounded it until it could be cleared the story was in the restro process it had several body panels from different vehicles and the # did'nt match so they assumed it was hot even tho it was a legal title and car the cop was being a prick about it ,in the end i took the car home but it was a P.I.A.

[flyboy2610]

I guess I got lucky. My truck was parked on the street once when somebody clipped the bumper. Did more to his little tin can than to my truck!
The police came and checked the VIN on my nsurance card against the VIN on the door tag.
They don't match.
He said "It looks like somebody replaced the door and didn't change the tag. That happens with these old trucks. Don't worry about it."

[Tim P.]

Yes you hope that the boys are rightious but that isnt always the case some are going to try to prove something (especally young rookies) they don't know anything about the old stuff like us old folks do lets just say its preventive maintance

[FoMoCo]

I know how everybody feels. Our thunderbird was recently envolved in a wreck that caused us to have to get e salvage tilte(over a GD bent hood!). NEways, after putting a new fiberglass hood on we had to go to Ohio State Patrol inspection. Theywould not pass the car untill we showed a recipt fot the hood, or vin number which the hood came from. After 3 hours of driving we finally got everything straight. I'm glad I dont have to get my truck inspected to register it this time. I have the OE VIN tag, from the truck which came from N. Carolina, but no tilte. But I do have a Clear 67 Ohio title. If the truck is being registered in the state where it is titled there's no need for inspection. Wink

The BMV, sholud know that we all have old trucks, and not every person knows about the tag. Ever see the Andy Griffith episode were Barney put the whole town in jail over little things like that???

Nick Wilson

[Tim P.]

Gotta love ole Barney, one bullet and all. Wouldnt mind having some of those old Galaxies in the Griffith show.

[4x4x4crewcab]

I just switched over the insides glass,reg,handles,weatherstrips and the vin tag to my replacement drivers door. I tried to reuse the original rivets but wasn't happy they seamed to hold the tag tight but they would spin. Tonight I said the heck with it and put two real rivets in their place.
Long story short I would rather have the tag on my door this way than take a chance it would come off and I would loose it.----I understand all the other situations mentioned but it just seems like the older the vehicle any more the less the DMV cares. I have noticed may auctions on ebay from many different states that dont even require a title to register a vehicle just a bill of sale. Does this mean a vin number is not required? and or is not used. Maybe someone from a state that has this system can answer? Anyway I used rivets

[FoMoCo]

My local Rod Shop told it was a possibility to register it as a kit or special interest vehicle. FWIW

Nick