I got my answers on the VIN Plate question! I had a really cool discussion with a VA DMV Law Enforcement officer today. Bottom line up front: I will do what I can to save my original rivets and thus, my original VIN Plate. If at some point in the future, whether during the restoration process or while driving around the burg, the VIN Plate becomes loose or falls off, the VA DMV will replace the original VIN Plate with a VA issued VIN Plate and they will rivet it to the truck. No harm, no foul. So, it's in my truck's best interest to try to preserve the original plate. Now, the devil is in the details. Preserving those rivets will be tricky at best. We talked about possibly using JB Weld and the pros and cons of such an approach. We talked about POR-15 or some other type of rust inhibitor and the pros and cons of that approach. There is no clear approach that could or would work. Too much of any approach will hurt the long term value of the truck. I know, I know, so will my welding.... At any rate, I've got my general guidance. Now I've got to translate that into an action plan. Fortunately for my truck, I've already got schedule commitments for the rest of the week, so I'll have plenty of time to think on it. Any suggestions are certainly welcome! The goals are to preserve the "fastening ability" of the rivets without creating a wad of JB Weld or the like. The floor is open!
OBTW, this is applicable to Virginia only! I'm certain each state has different laws governing this issue. Perhaps you'll get a hint at who to reach out to and or ideas to help you deal with a similar issue.
