VIN Rivets

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65-MK1

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I'm trying to put the VIN tags back on my MK1 and am having trouble finding the correct rivets.
I think they are an Avdel rivet but does anyone know what the correct rivet head diameter is supposed to be?
Or alternately, does anyone know where I can purchase the correct rivets?
Thanks in advance.
 
So when I paint my car I can remove the original rivets and get some new ones from Rick AND no one can tell the difference?

Cheers - Doug
 
Thanks for the info.
I've sent Rick a request and will let you know.
I think I looked at SS a while ago and he didn't have them, but we'll see what he says now.
 
Doug C said:
So when I paint my car I can remove the original rivets and get some new ones from Rick AND no one can tell the difference?

Cheers - Doug
Click to expand...

No, in fact we just TACed a car that had that done. You cannot eliminate the evidence of rivet removal and replacement with new. Even though the new rivets may be the same.
 
That's exactly what I thought.
So I assume that you just repaint around the tags.
 
unfortunately, as some fool, who shall remain nameless, has already removed them I'm stuck with trying to find the closest replacement I can.
 
Some Fool

No shortage of them, lots of hands and fingers been on our cars . I have some pics of some but do not want to post them in open forum. Please give us some more details of you and your car.

I gave away a set that came out of a Rootes bag to a friend. I got em from a 30 year owner who gave the rest to a No. Cal. restorer. Back in the 90's that same guy made tags too.

I did not pay more for my car cause it has them. It was not a factor for me as it already had been TAC'ed and it wasn't my first rodeo, I mean Tiger purchase. I would not pay more to buy one with them its just like a cherry on top.
 
Rick at SS says he has something similar, but not the originals.
Can anyone tell me what the diameter of the head is supposed to be on the original rivets?
 
As I have gotten older I know to leave them alone, but in the early 90's we painted a friends Tiger and removed the rivets, we went to the local OSH and bought some that looked similar--when he had his car TACed they marked it off as original rivets, so they must be really close.
 
Vin Rivets

Just when you thought you had it figured out, here is some more info.
The rivets on a MK1 are cad plated steel, the rivets on a MK1a and MK2
are aluminum. Both are a blind rivet.
 
RE : VIN Rivets

cobrakidz said:
As I have gotten older I know to leave them alone, but in the early 90's we painted a friends Tiger and removed the rivets, we went to the local OSH and bought some that looked similar--when he had his car TACed they marked it off as original rivets, so they must be really close.
Click to expand...

So ...... are you saying that just run down to your friendly "Hareware Store" , and have a good eye ?
When I acquired my Tiger , the PO already had the VIN tag & JAL strip removed , but bagged . The car has been gone over with a fine tooth comb , plus calls to Norman Miller , it is legit , proper Tiger number per parts equipped match tags .
NEED the true source of the proper VIN rivets .

Thanks , Bosspwrd -
 
Fueling The Fire

A few years back, we were hacking up the remains of a broken Alpine for usable inventory. The boys noted the Tags/data plate & rivets were missing. No biggy, but we did note that the underside of the boxed cowl was completely opened up to allow access tto he blind side of the rivets. Hmmmmmm!
 
rivets

randy,
are you saying that you could cut off the bottom of the rivet from underneath and reuse the originals to remount the vin plate? have you ever noticed the difference between the heads of rather old rivet guns versus the new ones. old guns left the head beveled upward something like you see on old cars. I think I remember someone mentioned awhile back where you could buy the rivets. I see them being sold every year at the Carlisle import meet.
 
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Different

As Dale had stated earlier they were different. I had some given to me by one of the long term members but I gave em to a club pal his car is known and has photo(s) of non original rivets.

It seems since the days phones started coming with cameras and before guys not just N.M. are hobby collectors of vin plates. One of our biggest contributors to the forum picked up such a set of photos in addition to his own.

That said there is more than one cop on the beat when it comes to originality and reproductions.

Tool differences on the heads can create similar head shapes

Attached photo is a restored car with very nice details, I brushed out vin in the interests of the public nature of the forum. IDK it's owner but it sure is a nice car...
 
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Just Saying

65beam said:
randy,
are you saying that you could cut off the bottom of the rivet from underneath and reuse the originals to remount the vin plate? have you ever noticed the difference between the heads of rather old rivet guns versus the new ones. old guns left the head beveled upward something like you see on old cars. I think I remember someone mentioned awhile back where you could buy the rivets. I see them being sold every year at the Carlisle import meet.
Click to expand...

One of those senior-can't-sleep occasions had me experimenting with un-clinching and reinstalling an original rivet. Won't explain or detail how, BUT YES, it can be done quite well and undetectable. amen
 
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