Dash Panel Replacement now the Vin??

[Iowa Jon]

Guys I decided to replace my Dash panel because it was to far gone.  Now what do i do about the Vin tag?  Is there proper rivets? I read through a bunch of forums and different people were saying the rivets were only available from State Police? Do I need to call State Police and have them verify the Vin plate goes with my car and then they will hand me the rivets?? That does not sound correct.  Others said only body shops have the correct rivets.  I looked at the usual parts companies and they only had trim tag rivets.  I left the Orginal Vin plate attached to the old dash panel. I could graft it all in to the old panel?   Thoughts??

[169INDY]

Graft it and Keep it simpler, If at ALL possible

[Iowa Jon]

Thanks Indy,  that was the direction i was leaning towards.  I should be able to blend it in easily.   

Thanks Again.

[68 Ragtop]

It is perfectly legal to remove and replace the VIN tag during dash restoration. The rivets are not visible, you can use regular rivets or find the proper ones. The only numbers worth grafting are the stamped hidden partial VIN's.

[Sauron327]

Last 69 I did the owner supplied me with the VIN and partial dash top separately. I cut out the incorrectly shaped repro dash VIN hole, grafted in the GM donor dash section and replaced the VIN. Rosette and trim tag rivets are easily found on-line. Or ask someone in your network. Usually someone has a dozen or so  lying around from decades ago.

[Iowa Jon]

I ended up just cutting out a section from the old and grafting it in.  Just started to blend the old and the new.  See Picture.

Thanks for the responses.  I have no network!! except this forum.

[70L34]

Looks great! That’s a much better way to do it than riveting your VIN into the incorrectly shaped cutout.

[BillGarrett]

I would document all of the restoration work I did with photos if possible.