[TR] Redoing the whole commission plate process

DAVE HOGYE dlhogye at comcast.net
Tue Jan 6 08:33:02 MST 2026 

I used the original tag.  Cleaned it up as much as I could.  Modified, turned down, wide diameter rivets to look like the originals.  Then cut short lengths of the rivet shaft and glued them in place.  Photo attached.
Dave H.
 

> On 01/05/2026 10:36 PM PST Greg Lemon <grglmn at gmail.com> wrote:
>  
>  
> I don't have real strong feeling one way or the other on re-doing or re-using a commission plate, but the mention of the DMV not caring about the rivets reminded me of a story (I am getting old, so all I have left is my stories). My brother restored a one owner very original Bugeye Sprite.  He reused the original plate.  The original plate is secured with sheet metal screws.  He reused the original screws.
>  
> Anyway, DMV didn't like the screws, said it had to be riveted.  He even brought the "Complete Original" book, which showed and mentioned the screws.  So the car with original parts is rejected at title inspection.
>  
> I don't remember how it ended, but I think my pragmatic brother gave up and riveted the plate on.
>  
> Greg Lemon
> TR250
> 
> On Mon, Jan 5, 2026, 11:40 PM dave northrup <dave at ranteer.com mailto:dave at ranteer.com> wrote:
> 
> > I get that.   IMHO,  a beautiful plate complements a gorgeous restoration.  An original plate,  although original,  does not.
> >  
> > I'm going to have my new plate laser engraved.   No, it's not original,  but it is beautiful 
> >  
> >  
> > -------- Original message --------
> > From: Don Hiscock <don.hiscock at gmail.com mailto:don.hiscock at gmail.com>
> > Date: 1/5/26 7:52 PM (GMT-08:00)
> > To: DAVID MASSEY <dave1massey at cs.com mailto:dave1massey at cs.com>
> > Cc: triumphs at autox.team.net mailto:triumphs at autox.team.net, Stephen Oertwig <oertwig at mac.com mailto:oertwig at mac.com>
> > Subject: Re: [TR] Redoing the whole commission plate process
> >  
> > I'm with Dave -- there's no shame, or substitute, for an original commission number plate irrespective of condition or attachment.  :)
> >  
> > https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-SqWXG5Z/0/Nf7ZNSGg9vnb6B5GkBgNJVpXPjB8TssRwFgXW4qzn/X5/i-SqWXG5Z-X5.jpg
> >  
> > Don
> > Santa Fe
> > (TR3B TSF202L with original commission plate)
> > 
> > On Mon, Jan 5, 2026 at 6:15 PM DAVID MASSEY <dave1massey at cs.com mailto:dave1massey at cs.com> wrote:
> > 
> > > I wouldn't worry about the rivets.  The inspecting officer won't have a clue as to what rivets are supposed to be there.  And having a perfectly done commission plate constitutes over-restoration.
> > >  
> > > Dave
> > >  
> > >  
> > >  
> > > On Monday, January 5, 2026 at 07:59:17 AM CST, Stephen Oertwig <oertwig at mac.com mailto:oertwig at mac.com> wrote:
> > >  
> > >  
> > > I need to redo plate on 1967 2000 estate. At least attach the original one so sheriff can validate the VIN to get the estate titled in Missouri. It is a long process. I have been studying the different rivets used on other 2000s so the plate looks similar.
> > >  
> > > Then need to find new 2000 plate. The original commission plate has numbers of different sizes. Sure it is because each worker was given one stamp of different sizes so there was no consistency in stamping details. Thought maybe it was a Friday car; was commissioned on a Tuesday. Maybe after lunch.
> > >  
> > > Would be hard to find a laser engraver out here in country. Not sure I would like something that perfect after seeing all the other commission plates and body numbers.
> > >  
> > > Steve
> > >  
> > > > On Jan 4, 2026, at 1:00 PM, triumphs-request at autox.team.net mailto:triumphs-request at autox.team.net wrote:
> > > >
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> > > > Today's Topics:
> > > >
> > > >  1. Re: new commission plate and stamping (dave northrup)
> > > >  2. Re: Head Gasket Combustion Leak test kit recommendations
> > > >      (Sujit Roy)
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> > > >
> > > > Message: 1
> > > > Date: Sun, 4 Jan 2026 02:46:28 +0000
> > > > From: dave northrup <dave at ranteer.com mailto:dave at ranteer.com>
> > > > To: bill beecher <notakitcar at yahoo.com mailto:notakitcar at yahoo.com>, "triumphs at autox.team.net mailto:triumphs at autox.team.net"
> > > >     <triumphs at autox.team.net mailto:triumphs at autox.team.net>
> > > > Subject: Re: [TR] new commission plate and stamping
> > > > Message-ID: <1a67faca0d794e059a26647c9f884936 at ranteer.com mailto:1a67faca0d794e059a26647c9f884936 at ranteer.com>
> > > > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
> > > >
> > > > I was told that there are now laser "engravers" who can do this
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > -------- Original message --------
> > > > From: bill beecher <notakitcar at yahoo.com mailto:notakitcar at yahoo.com>
> > > > Date: 1/3/26 4:55 PM (GMT-08:00)
> > > > To: dave northrup <dave at ranteer.com mailto:dave at ranteer.com>
> > > > Subject: Re: [TR] new commission plate and stamping
> > > >
> > > > Used to be able to get the stamp sets at Harbor Freight.  Of course, the ?3? will be wrong.
> > > > Bill
> > > >
> > > > ?The harder I work, the luckier I get?  H. Ford
> > > >
> > > > On Dec 6, 2025, at 3:44?PM, dave northrup <dave at ranteer.com mailto:dave at ranteer.com> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > ?
> > > > Who is the go to person for a 58 TR3a?
> > > > ** triumphs at autox.team.net mailto:triumphs at autox.team.net **
> > > >
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> > > > ------------------------------
> > > >
> > > > Message: 2
> > > > Date: Sat, 3 Jan 2026 21:26:32 -0800
> > > > From: Sujit Roy <triumphstag at gmail.com mailto:triumphstag at gmail.com>
> > > > To: Jerry Van Vlack <jerryvvtr4a at gmail.com mailto:jerryvvtr4a at gmail.com>
> > > > Cc: Triumphs <triumphs at autox.team.net mailto:triumphs at autox.team.net>
> > > > Subject: Re: [TR] Head Gasket Combustion Leak test kit recommendations
> > > > Message-ID:
> > > >     <CANLCLaFpcQwtS2hf5x8YWBbs8DMCJVyo4V3ORj-LAOJwwG2BGw at mail.gmail.com mailto:CANLCLaFpcQwtS2hf5x8YWBbs8DMCJVyo4V3ORj-LAOJwwG2BGw at mail.gmail.com>
> > > > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
> > > >
> > > > Thanks, I'll check them out.
> > > >
> > > > On Fri, Jan 2, 2026 at 5:53?AM Jerry Van Vlack <jerryvvtr4a at gmail.com mailto:jerryvvtr4a at gmail.com>
> > > > wrote:
> > > >
> > > >> Hi Sujit,
> > > >>
> > > >> I have experience with these type kits and they all work basically the
> > > >> same by pulling gases up thru testing fluid and looking for a color change.
> > > >> The multiple test claims relate to the amount of fluid in the kit. You
> > > >> don't need to use much fluid for each test.
> > > >>
> > > >> Having said this you can also look for a blown head gasket by running the
> > > >> car at idle with the radiator cap off until the thermostat opens. If when
> > > >> it opens you only observe coolant flowing you're good. If coolant gets
> > > >> blown out of the radiator instead of flowing that's a good indication of a
> > > >> head gasket issue.
> > > >>
> > > >> I personally like the kits with the tube and rubber bulb like this one
> > > >> Amazon.com: Block Tester BT-500 Head Gasket Combustion Leak Test Kit -
> > > >> Made in USA : Automotive
> > > >> <https://www.amazon.com/Block-Tester-BT-500-Combustion-Leak/dp/B06VVBSFTF/ref=sr_1_3?crid=B5BELSHHE2V2&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.1SS7r-3wwU3Nafy7CtM28Iyi1UFhNYzuKm6VozhuZB6JmphoiObY7ydUAVFRDJojItaOxcsoWSJOvF8VBksGnRIxMIY8JVoJ92Yz3lzAb3CxD4OwrAmEZEhMSthI5Fm5zY-HNM03FtUtQ3dlNeZniiIaxbMX-RhJaMXo76JKRKe0AW4xxTjRscAG_XLxI3CAFfugOzofA4g-QoKmlQ79-sAGUEaRvYde6fnFW1zmzhM.by9KSQykThDUhsy3KNVjbccVNlPYLqEa5Qd-tQDGSlo&dib_tag=se&keywords=combustion+gas+tester+for+coolant&qid=1767361665&sprefix=Combustion+gas+%2Caps%2C3537&sr=8-3>
> > > >>
> > > >> You might be able to purchase a similar kit from your local auto parts
> > > >> store.
> > > >>
> > > >> Hope this helps
> > > >>
> > > >> JVV
> > > >> ------------------------------
> > > >> *From:* Triumphs <triumphs-bounces at autox.team.net mailto:triumphs-bounces at autox.team.net> on behalf of Sujit Roy
> > > >> <triumphstag at gmail.com mailto:triumphstag at gmail.com>
> > > >> *Sent:* Thursday, January 1, 2026 7:10 PM
> > > >> *To:* Triumphs <triumphs at autox.team.net mailto:triumphs at autox.team.net>
> > > >> *Subject:* [TR] Head Gasket Combustion Leak test kit recommendations
> > > >>
> > > >> I see kits on Amazon priced anywhere from 20$ up. I dont plan to test my
> > > >> engine 50-100 times. What is a good inexpensive kit folks like to use.
> > > >>
> > > >> Sujit
> > > >>
> > > >> --
> > > >> Sujit Roy
> > > >> Cupertino, California
> > > >>
> > > >> https://triumphstagblog.wordpress.com/ https://triumphstagblog.wordpress.com/
> > > >>
> > > >>
> > > >
> > > > --
> > > > Sujit Roy
> > > > Cupertino, California
> > > >
> > > > https://triumphstagblog.wordpress.com/ https://triumphstagblog.wordpress.com/
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