Rather trite.. but: License Plate

About the front US license plate (~ 6" X 12" / 15cm X 30 cm).

Nearing completion of the project, I’m thinking that (after 2 1/2 years restoring everything) the rather improvised way my license plate was once mounted can be improved upon. It used to be stuffed under the bumper and bolted / bent to the body contour.

Does anyone have a neater solution?

Mounting it under the grill opening and rolling it to fit the body contour are the only two ideas I got from searching the forum. More ideas?

Keith

I made up brackets that mounted to the front bodyshell under the radiator intake, and accepted the mounting screws for the license plate.

It’s close to the body, but clears everything.

I got pulled over by an over zealous policeman who gave me an equipment violation because he claimed he could not read the license plate numbers while standing in front of the car (I carefully did not suggest he bend over)

The CA vehicle code just says the license plate has to be visible, and in another clause that it has to be readable, but does not have requirements for readable from any distance or height. So I took the car down to DMV, and they signed off on the citation.

This would be of assistance on some of our more modern automated ticket issuing systems that use a camera to photograph the license plate number. I doubt many cameras are mounted low enough!

David
1968 36/7988

Good idea to check the DMV regs.

Thanks

Keith

What about stick on?

classic-number-plate.com/sel … plate.html

I’m afraid that here such a heady level of individual initiative, as to create one’s own license plate, is not permitted. The individual States manufacture and deliver the plates you will use. And they will be stamped steel 6" X 12" plates.

Thus the question.

So far, fabricating a bracket under the opening sounds good. Perhaps with a surround trim that may suggest “bend over to read”.

But, keep the ideas coming!

Keith

Texas as well requires front plate but recognizing they sometimes fall off, it’s sufficient to just have it laying on your dash–I drive around that way when high visibility/major patrol areas traveled, otherwise under the seat. Gordon Sauer

Gordon - I have to imagine that you have some High Performance Velcro solution to keep the plate firmly fixed on the dash for when driving in ‘Lotus Mode’.

Perhaps I could design a Lotus-inspired solution and create some sort of device around the headlight pivot and vacuum system. Push of the button and license plate rotates into view through the grill (which vanished years ago) opening!

Keith

Interesting thought about the “stick-on” license plates.

I could create what looks like a replica of the California “Black Plate” but with the current license numbers. (CA black plate was for cars originally registered between 1963-1970 and continuously registered).

So if the car came into CA after 1970, it got a blue or white plate, even though it is an earlier year.

Then the only thing I would have to do is transfer registration expiration month and year stickers from the existing license plate to the “new” black plate.

I wonder if the authorities would ever notice?

David
1968 36/7988

I over heard 2 old guys looking at a rusty plate on a car in town —one turned to the other and said -----'ahhhhh shit – they don’t make em like WE used to '------I had to leave lest my snicker offend them – :slight_smile: --a local doctor had a vinyl stick on replica plate made for the front of his Madonna and the cops still rousted him to drill mounting holes in the car to mount the plate —seems replica plates are only a temporary fix until you replace the lost one ----[the Gestapo is in control again]. I was rousted in the 7 for having the plate behind the grill mounted to the chassis in full view the cop said ’ if I’m going to get run over I want to see the plate --when I offered to oblige him things went down hill from there [ticket]-possible Tasering and or billy club beating -Officer Bob has a very limited sense of humor :—I have had some success with piano hinges > keep the hinge well oiled and the wind keeps the plate out of sight until you stop and if it stays up you can just pull it down for the cops and smile — ed

Ed - thanks for the biggest smile of the week (quite possibly more if I could remember). Niagara Falls? Are you a LOONY* member by any chance? I haven’t attended a gathering in years… just can’t do it without having a legitimate running Lotus, I feel. Next month!

Keith

  • Candidate for one of most apropos names: LOONY - Lotus Owners Of New York

Hi Kieth —No Im not a member --but I do know Tony --and I dont think the lotus has to run to be a member ,you just have to own one or parts of one and like breakfasts - :slight_smile: -ed

David, That is an interesting idea. If that is possible, I would like to take you up on a black plates and take my chances with the law. It seems like others would want to change to black. Do you know what years the yellow CA. plates were used?
Probably before 1963.
Take care, Sarto

Sarto,

I’m not sure when the change was made to the yellow plate.

However, I have seen some cars that saved their yellow plates using them, as well as earlier ones. Not sure as to how the CHP and local police view this, but I am sure that if someone was using a yellow plate on a street driven car, they would have current registration to show if asked.

I wonder how many CA Elites still have their yellow plates?

David
1968 36/7988

Sarto,

Do a Google search ‘CA “yellow plate” license dates’.

Here is one result:
fordmuscle.com/forums/garag … stion.html

And another
356registry.com/techinfo/res … es_ca.html

What it seems to say is that pre-63 cars can apply to get their original tags.

And if you have a pink slip for a junked or totaled 63-69 car, you can somehow get those back also. I haven’t looked long enough to see.

Also:
Full Color License Plates
You Create It, We’ll Print It! Auto, Bike, Golfcart, Frames too.
aSmartBlonde.com

Does custom license plates.

There appears to be no end of ways to get our attention diverted.

David
1968 36/7988

Of interest only for California owners.

I saw a '57 Sunbeam Alpine today with its original license plate. It also had the current stick on tags for expiration year and month.

From reading, it seems that pre '63 cars can apply to DMV to use their original license plates. Jump through some hoops, pay some extra fees, and you are in. Not all DMV offices are up on this, so you may have to shop around to find a compliant and knowledgeable place. And I am not sure that AAA could handle it.

Apparently, starting July, black plate owners can do the same.

And, interestingly, the plates do not have to be the original plates. The number cannot be associated with a currently registered car. So you can go to a swap meet and pick up a set of old plates and use those.

If you do not have the original plates, but remember the original number, you could have a set made up from one of the sources on the web. I still remember three of my black plate numbers, so that would be a way to go. Of course, you could just take a stab at a number and the probability of it still being active 40+ years on is rather slim.

David
1968 36/7988