Front Plate?

[Dwleo]

Hi guys,
As I put together everything to get back on the road, I need some advice re: front license plate.
Here in BC, we are supposed to have a front plate. In my previous Mk 3.1, I just kept it in the trunk in case I was ever stopped.
Then I got to wondering what others who have to show a front plate have done.

Well, what have you done?

Thanks.

[Papa]

Colorado requires a front plate as well. My daily driver hasn't had one for five years and my roadster doesn't have one mounted. In both cases, the plate is in the trunk, not that that will prevent a citation. I am willing to take the chance and not mount the plate unless I have to as a result of a ticket. Not having a bracket on the front of the car didn't raise any questions during my VIN inspection or installation of the VIN plate by the Colorado State Patrol. I know some jurisdictions, like Golden, enforce the law more vigorously than others.

[cnutting]

Mass requires one as well. I used the bracket from Mike Everson at replicaparts.com. Mounts under the front signal light.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=92499&d=1535933386

[Hotyacht]

Wow! Stunning FIA car. Beautiful work.

[Bob Cowan]

I used the same one from Mike. Make sure you use both parts.

[Bob Brandle]

I drove for over 45 years (~12 vehicles) without a front plate in states (NJ, NY and California) that required one and was willing to accept a possible police stop n' Warning or a stop & Fix-It ticket, but never got a single one.
Now I live in Rear Plate Only Arizona and continue with the no front plate. Sometime one just has to risk some of the small things. Now, if there was a big penalty, I probably would have had the front plate.

[jrcuz]

I have one I got from ********** when they were in Fla before Paula sold the company. It mounts on the left quick jack/overrider bolts.
JR

[Dwleo]

Mass requires one as well. I used the bracket from Mike Everson at replicaparts.com. Mounts under the front signal light.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=92499&d=1535933386

Hi,
I tried to find, in your build, where you did the screening in your hood scoop but it wasn't in there.
What did you use? I like the look.

[CraigS]

Mine has been in the trunk for 13 years.

[rich grsc]

Take the front plate, drop it on the ground and drive over it. Throw it in the trunk and if you are ever pulled over, tell the officer, " just fell off and I ran over it and I need to fix that"

[Duke]

Mass requires one as well. I used the bracket from Mike Everson at replicaparts.com. Mounts under the front signal light.



I'm using this too, but I use two stainless bolts from the back and two wing nuts on the front. I painted the bracket black and shortened it so it's not as visible. For inspections or if I get harassed I can pull the plate from the trunk with the wing nuts and have it on in about 30 seconds.

[cnutting]

Hi,
I tried to find, in your build, where you did the screening in your hood scoop but it wasn't in there.
What did you use? I like the look.

Thanks! The hood scoop screen came with the 289 kit so I can't take credit for it.

[Gumball]

I made my own using a flat piece of aluminum, a couple of large adell clamps, and mounted it to the front bumper hoop.

IL requires a front plate, so it had to be there for my inspection, but I took it off shortly thereafter and have driving it for six summers and 14k miles without issue.

[luvaz]

I got mine from Mike as well. Here's a pic of it on my roadster from 2006 when I lived in New Hampshire. I'm back in Arizona now and do not need a front plate. Let me know if you're interested, IDK what shipping would be for a $20 bracket to BC.

HTH,
Will
128395

[AC Bill]

I like the mount designed to be supported by the quick jack bolts, better than the t/signal screws. I guess it works, but that's a lot of wind pressure on a couple of screws.
I hate having a front plate on the roadster, but.... I also don't want to risk being initially pulled over for that, and then having some over-ambitious cop start questioning the side pipe volume, or perhaps something else.
In BC, they could demand a mechanical re-inspection, take your plates, and the car is grounded right on the spot. That means an expensive tow to the mechanic, for another inspection, which is also not free. Then there's the fooling around with proving it's passed inspection, to get your plates back, and finally back on the road.
I've seen this all happen first hand, from when I was working at a dealership.

I made my own front plate mounts, so the plate sits low and in the center. It covers my oil cooler opening, but I don't have cooler in place so it's not a big deal.

I like Rich's suggestion. Running over the plate, would give the story so much more authenticity..:p

[Bob Cowan]

I like the mount designed to be supported by the quick jack bolts, better than the t/signal screws. I guess it works, but that's a lot of wind pressure on a couple of screws.

It's a two part mount. Two screws from the turn signal at the top. And then another parts from the bottom of the plate back to the body. It's strong enough to hold up to years of triple digit speeds.

https://i.imgur.com/2Gt5uXb.jpg

[RBachman]

I saw this somewhere recently and would probably use one if my state (SC) required a front plate. But the thought of just letting it stay retracted until you see the blue lights, and then extending it while you're getting chased down. LOL

https://www.corvettemods.com/C5-C6-Corvette-1997-2013-Show-N-Go-Remote-Controlled-Retractable-Front-License-Plate-Bracket_p_5252.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI9bmqqs-46QIVFZSzCh3ilgqDEAQYCSABEgK_U_D_BwE

[AC Bill]

I like that retractable one!
I wonder how it could be incorporated on the roadster? Not much support other than the fiberglass on the bottom of the nose. Maybe make a bracket that is mounted to the quick jack frame, which in turn holds the plate device.

[Big Blocker]

A friend I talked to about this issue [years ago] said he was working on an alternative to the "corvette" unit mentioned above . . . thought a spring loaded mount on a small shaft (think garage door type shaft with a coiled spring around it), if sprung correctly would lay down during driving due to air pressure but would stand up at a stopped condition . . . a coiled spring could be adjustable with an adjusting screw at the spring stop position. Hmmmmmm.

Pulled over for no front plate until the LEO goes to look and it's there . . . Ha Ha Ha Offer to buy him/her a donut and a cup of coffee and say; "Have a nice day".

Doc

[rich grsc]

As bazar as it sounds, I think retractable plate are illegal in some states.

[GTBradley]

I used the bracket from Michael Everson, it may not be drilled in the orientation you need. In my case I had to mount through different holes I made myself through the body behind the light bracket.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=128521&d=1589735892

It works just fine.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=128522&d=1589735902

[RBachman]

Here's another option, and it can help you avoid those pesky tollway fines. LOL

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=11&v=-y9peEv46Oo&feature=emb_logo

[Elizabeth @ FormaCars]

This kit is my old midstate, but I love my licence place bracket. It can easily be removed and replaced since it uses the existing hardware. It also doesn't require you to touch any other part of the car with your plate.
We'd be happy to fabricate one for you if you're interested. 128548
128549
www.FormaCars.com

[Dwleo]

Yours could also serve as a curb feeler

[Elizabeth @ FormaCars]

Dwleo, Indeed. Ha. I try to avoid curbs :p

Now that I look at the photos, it does look like it sticks out further that it actually does.

Elizabeth