1960 Mini - chassis ID plate - screws or rivets?

[Vespanation]

Hi gang,

Quick question. Long story short, I'm trying to title/register my car here in Pennsylvania USA, and I'm hitting all kinds of bureaucratic road blocks, since it is a CKD car that was sent to NZ, then came to the US. One problem I can see coming, possibly, that I can avoid, is to make sure the ID plate is on correctly. I got a VERY vague response from the British Motor Heritage when I sent away for the Certificate for the car, but they said that that was because it was a CKD car, and they only had the engine number on record in addition to the chassi number I sent them. The two numbers on my car/engine match what the BMH say it should be, and they could estimate the production date only to the first of second week of March 1960. So I know the ID plate and engine number s are correct together, and everything that I can find on the car with a date on it ties in with the March 1960 date or earlier. But can see a problem if the Pennsylvania Dept. of Transport asks me for a photo of the ID plate, which is held on with tiny Phillips (or Pozi??) screws, they are going to hassle me if it's not pop riveted. I had a friend try to re-register a 70's MGB when it had screws and they hassled him for almost a year, saying it should be riveted and so the plates were fake - even though the car had been in his family since new, and the plate had simply been removed when they painted the car. I want to avoid this. So what is actually original - rivets or screws - and if screws, what type. I'm wiling to fight for originality as long as I know I actually AM doing what IS original.
Thanks!

[timmy201]

Our Aussie cars were always pop riveted, plus stamped in the body and engine so that you can’t just swap the plate.

It appears the UK was the same in regards to the pop rivets:

Chassis, Commission and Engine Number Plates
Chassis (or VIN) number plates and commission number plates are fixed to the car’s body with pop rivets - two RU608123 rivets per plate will do the job. Self tapping screws have been known to fail a car at the MOT testing station!

Fixing an engine number plate is a little more tricky, original plates being attached to engine blocks with a pair of special dome head twist rivets (also known as hammer drive screws), which we can supply individually under part number XX088Z. The real frustration with the engine number plate, however, is not in fixing on the new one. Removal of the old plate can be very difficult indeed, since the rivets are harder than the engine block material and cannot be drilled out easily. Our solution is to weld a nut to the head of the rivet and then use a slide hammer to remove it, but this does of course require equipment you wouldn’t usually find in a domestic garage.

https://www.somerfordmini.co.uk/chassis ... and-decals

[Simon776]

A 1960 UK built car would have the chassis plate attached with screws; I don't think we used rivets on Mini's for that until autumn 1969.

CKD built cars are a law unto themselves so I am sure you can get away with rivets.

[woodypup no 2]

Other countries do not approve of the vin plate screwed on. Somehow the UK does not object.
As Simon says your car should have it screwed on but I'd rivet it now before any queries start.
Some countries ( Denmark iirc ) insist that the vin is stamped directly into a metal panel. Ive seen it done ( rather roughly ) near the voltage regulator.

[Joel Welsh 4769VU]

My '64 has the same OG screwed on plate.

I recently got it titled in ohio, and was scared to death of the same issue- i prepared myself with multiple photos of similiar cars, printed off internet discussions of the situation being a factory item... etc.

They never even blinked when doing my vehicle inspection. In fact- the lady just asked me "what kind of car is it again?" While looking directly at the vin plate in the engine bay... after i showed her where it was.

Its probably going to be a... crapshoot, depending on who your inspector is.

But I'd stand firm on the fact that it is factory from that year, it's how the car came originally, and see what happens.

Most states- if the car was not equipped from the factory- pre '64-'65 with seat belts... you're not even required to have them.

Later tonight- after work, I'll post you a picture of my plate with screws.

[Fanfaniracing]

All original Mk1 's here in Switzerland i have seen are all screwed with the Small philips Screw's. All pf my 3 unrestored Mk1 62,64 and 65 Cars have also the Plates screwed with the original Screws.

Never had an issue here with the MOT

[Vespanation]

"They never even blinked when doing my vehicle inspection. In fact- the lady just asked me "what kind of car is it again?" While looking directly at the vin plate in the engine bay... after i showed her where it was."

Haha! Hilarious! I had a similar thing happen. I took my four wheels/tires over to Walmart to get them balanced. The guy looks at the 10" wheels and says "We don't do boat trailer tires". I said, "they''re from a car, a Mini". "A what? he said. I showed him a photo of my car, and then he says "Oh, ok, we can do them." Same tires!!

[Joel Welsh 4769VU]

Thinking about it today-

I'd prepare for the worst, and have you some photos, printouts, etc... for backup- but i wouldnt say anything about it unless they ask or say something.

It might not be that big of an issue on a much older vehicle.

But, definately- let us know how it goes!

Hilarious on the tires! Lol...
I'll be in that boat here soon and cant wait to find somebody to balance mine... just for the looks.

[Vespanation]

Ah, yes, I have those same tiny Phillips panhead screws in mine, as do a lot of other people. THat seems to be the original thing. I'm going with it.
Thanks for you help!

[73GT]

Hi I am in NZ, had a 64 mini, the plate was screwed on