Originally Posted by LEEVON (Post 7175349)

When I bought my truck, somebody had replaced the original VIN tag rosette rivets with standard round ones. I can't say for sure whether or not they had replaced the cab for a collision repair or just removed the tag to paint. The cab appeared to be original. Everything on the truck was legit, it had the original frame, engine, transmission, SPID, and VIN tag. However due to it being an older vehicle and from another state, a highway patrolman was required to inspect it. He agreed on our opinion of the VIN rivets but could have easily impounded the truck as stolen. 15 years later, before transferring the title to another state and taking this risk again, I replaced the round rivets with rosette rivets for peace of mind.

Keep in mind that the sale and manufacturing of these is basically illegal. There was a EBAY seller a few years ago who was indicted on federal charges. Numerous threads on the subject have been closed. This forum cannot take on the liability. However with that said I think there are plenty of legitimate reasons that enthusiasts or restorers like ourselves would use them. But if you can avoid messing with the rivets you should in my opinion.

Originally Posted by bruceman1968 (Post 7175385)

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore (Post 7175540)

Very interesting; thanks for posting that, Bruce.

I probably also have seen over 10,000 rosette rivets as well. In fact, they used to count them out before the beginning of the shift and any that were not used were returned and locked up. There are similar safeguards around the VIN plates themselves (perhaps even more so).

Having said that I think this point is germaine: My '65 GTO, built in Pontiac Michigan in September of 1964, has round rivets. Original owner, unrestored car with born with paint, interior and driveline, which has not been out of my direct control since delivered. So - I'm pretty sure they are original.

I say that to reinforce that there must have been a "gradual" rollout when implementing the new rivets. We believe it occurred around Christmas time 1964 by study of Pontiac plant PMD vehicles. I would guess it was the same for the various plants producing Chevrolet nameplated vehicles.

K

Originally Posted by LostMy65 (Post 7175708)

Do not discuss removing or replacing.
Buying or selling, or making.
.
I was thinking about the posts about the years they started using them. I checked.
My 65 has the Rosettes.
How about your 60-66 truck?
.
Legal concerns from another thread :

Originally Posted by pimpston65 (Post 7175716)

i have heard a few thoughts that the rivets were plant driven vs. standard throughout. even for years 65-66. since this is a topic of interest, i will ask forum members to take a poll of rivet style to get a better handle on there use, and possibly end(or start) the confusion on which style is correct round or rosette!!!

Originally Posted by pimpston65 (Post 7175722)

my 65 has round and my 66 has rosette.

Originally Posted by LostMy65 (Post 7175730)

So, it appears it was transitional.
As GM went through the 60's some were still getting put out with round rather than the rosettes.

Originally Posted by LostMy65 (Post 7175755)

According to my VIN, mine was a long bed made in Freemont.

Originally Posted by 60-66 (Post 7175742)

Excellent info that Keith supplied, learn something new every day. Out of 6 1965s, one 65 GMC with round rivets , OG paint California built. Two Janesville Wi trucks , one with round and one with Rosettes . The one Janesville truck is a one owner 8700 mile K20 I posted awhile ago and it has the round rivets. Thank you for your input Keith!!

Would be interesting to compile a VIN list like others have done on 1963s for 1965 and their rivets. Could prove informative.

Just a quick story , we bought our house 25 years ago , it had been remodeled somewhat unprofessionally at that time. The previous owner worked at the AMC plant in Kenosha Wi. well one day I'm working on the gutters and down spouts when I noticed they were riveted together , he used Rosette rivets throughout the gutter system on the house ! Was good for a laugh ?! So much for security at AMC back then.

Originally Posted by pimpston65 (Post 7175722)

my 65 has round and my 66 has rosette.