I asked the question because if you decide to do a full resto, don't you want to get the areas behind the tags? It's labor and cost intensive and not to hit those two areas would be stupid.
But I would also worry about the questions that could arise of "retagging".
It's not illegal to remove and replace the tags on your own car where all the numbers match, and if you never sell the car it will not be an issue. The rivets used to attach the VIN tag are very distinctive and if they are replaced with standard rivets the change will be noticeable and may be questioned by a future potential buyer.
The rosette rivets can be purchased, but not readily.
Vikki 1969 Goldenrod Yellow / black 400 convertible numbers matching
Yes it is illegal to remove the vin plate. Federal law clearly states that it is illegal to remove a vin plate. The problem comes into play if the car changes hands--something that will happen to all the board members except me. When it changes hands from me, whatver issues won't be my concern because I'll be dead.
I'd leave it intact, but it's your car, and it's been proven beyond a reasonable doubt that I never know what I'm talking about.
Merv, I agree it is illegal to tamper with the VIN tag but I've been "proven" wrong on this too by people who restore Corvettes and Camaros and other "rare and valuable" cars who feel that the whole body and chassis are just parts. As long as they own all the parts it is not only overlooked, but allowed at the highest levels of showing.
On the other hand, I have never heard of a fully documented, numbers matching, hidden VIN matched car being confiscated for wrong rivets.
I don't believe there is a good reason to remove a VIN tag unless the entire dash is rotted and needs to be replaced, and if the dash is that bad the rest of the car probably isn't recoverable. That said, I'd not invest top dollar in an otherwise good car that showed signs of tampering.
Vikki 1969 Goldenrod Yellow / black 400 convertible numbers matching
The federal statute allows you to remove the VIN to repair the panel it is attached to.
That said, I wouldn't remove either tag unless it's absolutely necessary....... The best show-quality restorations are done with the tags in place, so it's doable.
