need body tag rivets

Unknown
Unknown
edited November -1 in HUDSON
Hi again guys,I'm now working on the '47 Cadillac convertible while I wait for parts from 6 = 8.The guy I got it from took off the aluminum cowl tag,"to do a good job of painting the firewall",,,,,well if I don't put it back on with the same type of rivets DMV will become suspicous and send me to the CHP for some type of investigation of why the tag was removed........so does anyone know where I can get the type of rivets GM used to hold the tag in place?,thanks

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  • SuperDave
    SuperDave Senior Contributor
    I can't recall what the GM tag rivets look like, but.. Model A Ford suppliers have several size rivets available for this purpose. Cheap...They are called "drive rivets". They have a button or round head and a spiral shaft. Once they are installed. it's impossible to tell they have been replaced. I used a set to replace the tag on the 54 Hornet door pillar. For good measure, I used a little super glue. try www.macsautoparts.com

    Dave w
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    GM used an open rivet about 1/4" in diameter with about an 1/8" hole in the center to attach the body or cowl tag. They used the same tag from the 30's thru the 50's for all the GM products. They can be easily removed with an 1/8" round punch by rolling it around the hole thru the rivet and pulling it out. This method will not damage the cowl tag. The rivets look like a pop rivet without the pin. Don't know where you can get them new, although I'm sure they're available. If not, go to a junk yard and carefully remove the rivets until you get two that you can use over.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    You can always take it to DMV here in California, they'll verify anything! They have no idea what a "rivet" is. Some of them would think "rivet" is the street slang for a frog... Niels
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    I ditto your comments Niels! My first rod was a 42 Ford from the military which had no door tag (only civilian models did). I took a tag off a 46 Plymouth in a junk yard (it only had srcews and no "plymouth" name). I riveted it to the firewall and California DMV didn't have a clue! It was titled and registered as a 42 Ford. No problems!



    Jay
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    While hudsondad offered a pretty good suggestion, I would merely contact the local 55-57 chevy guys, they seem to often "remove" the trim tags on the firewall, to make sure they do an extra good job of detailing, and most times, the car for some reason is more correct when it goes back on...



    They make reproduction rivets to the exacting standards, for this purpose, and while you're at it, you could probably get a trim tag made for any paint or trim option you would like, but as Hudson folks here, i know we are more honest than that, and further, I doubt there is much reason to need something as such for a 47 cadillac.



    Also, Hemmings has an add for "restoration" of "data plates", and the correct rivets are available.... but I think they are super pricey for just two rivets....
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    While many of these data plates can be damaged when removed carelessly, the service that reproduces them, many times makes the car "correctly" a more desirable color and optioned. This is certainly true with the chevy folks as more red '57 chevy convertibles exist than were originally built and now even sedans can be made into convertibiles with correct sheet metal and frame additions.
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