Stephen

iTrader: (12)

Somebody else turned me on to the idea, so by his description, I made my own. I don't have it on my car yet, but it's done.

No holes to drill, and nothing showing of the bracket! It's like the plate is just floating there!

//<86TA>\\

iTrader: (14)

thats going on a bird? where does it mount?

Brisk

iTrader: (25)

ah interesting.. I have to find something/somewhere to mount my front plate.

Stephen

iTrader: (12)

Yep....I'm fortunate to have a spare nose inside to play with, instead of laying under a car outside...in the rain....in the COLD weather! The holes are spaced out about 1/8", to give the plate a "crease"/point, and hold it rigidly forward. Of course, I'll put a foam piece on the back, just in case air presure at speed, pushes it back and touches the car.

Stephen

iTrader: (12)

My guess is, Camaros has the same type of bumper cover mounts, so mine would work on a Camaro just as well.

robertg

iTrader: (2)

neat idea.

we've got a customer at work who has an 05 corvette and did something similar. the plate bracket actually bolts to some brackets near where the steering rack is located. it's pretty trick, i'll try to take pictures of it the next time his car is in the shop.

online170

Nice job. I got my idea from a member on this board as well. But its a lil different on a Formy. I will eventually move it to the middle, and hide the brackets better, i just had to slap this on in 5 hours so i didnt get a ticket.

Anyways, just a tip for you, if you "tilt" the plate so the top is closer to the car, it will "flow" better with air, rather than hitting it head on.

Also, its hard to explain, but i put a bar of metal under the two posts, it makes it more stable, and feels sturdier.

customblackbird

iTrader: (15)

i just got a ticket for not having my front plate on my 87 formy in NJ i havent had it on in over 2 yrs lol.

i was gona do something like that but it still looks bad to me and the rubber that u screw into isnt stiff enough and it will push up against the nose at speeds of prob 45mph and more.

i gotta come up with something better maybe even a motorized one haha hmmm....

I H8 WWD

iTrader: (5)

Im looking into a flip action plate for my Camaro where it shows the camaro, or chevy bowtie in the front bumper grill.

Fit it so I can have a bowtie on 1 side and my plate on another and have it motorized somehow to flip over to either side...

So if a cop does stop me and say hey you have no plate....I ask if I can get out and check also for verification and as I get out I hit the switch...BOOM, my plates right there officer...now why exactly did you pull me over...ILL BE ON MY WAY NOW SIR...that or he'll get me for something dumb.

Something like this but full flip over instead of flip up.

http://www.hotrodproducts.com/RetractAPlate.htm

online170

They usually pull a u-ey before pulling u over for front tags. What if the PC has a camera?

I H8 WWD

iTrader: (5)

Oh yeah i didnt think about that. Hmm, well I doubt a cop will go to camera to check for something simple like that. I guess that could be a risk but there isnt anything illegal about having a flipping plate except the not having a front plate, as it could be a show car or used for show and is flipped when showing off.

"Oops copper, I forgot to flip the switch after the show THANK YOU."

Ha ha

slow_90firebird

I dont have a front plate on right now. My bumper cover has holes in it from a previous owner, but they are for the factory plate bracket. Not for the plate itself.

I have a novelty rebel flag plate that I re-drilled so I could screw it in with the holes in my bumper, but after a week I was highway driving and a cop used my rebel flag to aim the laser thing at! so I took it off.

racerx520

iTrader: (1)

my father made me up a similar thing after i got my new front bumper....we sent it out and got it powdercoated black too, it looks pretty sweet and it does a good job preventing my front bumper from getting all scratched up

customblackbird

iTrader: (15)

i dont really understand the point of a front plate.... i mean when i drive past u at 120mph... are u gona be able to read it? everything is always done from the rear plate... including running the tolls the cams get ur rear plate, cops come from behind to get the plate number etc... i hate it i hate the front plate on our cars. i will come up with something soon and post pics.
while i do that im gona be tucking small 55w fog lights in the plastic inserts of the front firebird bumper as an added light bonus since i keep blowing 80/100w hyper white headlight bulbs.

online170

no body wants one, try to explain it to the province, or the state...... Its like talking to a wall.

Its a win/win situation for everyone, you save tons of money.
Both the city/province/state, for cutting production costs, and the owner for not having to worry about installing one. Less costs to repair if your ina minor fender bender also, because there wont be any damage from the stupid plate bolts.

For some reason though, it just doesnt happen. Theres a huge petition being signed in ontario for it, but no one makin the rules seems to care...

racerx520

iTrader: (1)

some states here in the u.s. dont require one...like Pennsylvania doesnt and new york doesnt either...right now its up in the air if NJ needs one too, theres a law thats being looked over to see if they can do away with the front plates, but chances are, they'll just keep them lol more money goes to the DMV and more money to the state, thats all they care about lol

Stephen

iTrader: (12)

Texas has tried to eliminate it, but the way they combine it as a sub-section of another law, that is NEEDED, it gets overlooked, and the front-plate-law stays.

racerx520

iTrader: (1)

yeah, in nj its 'needed' as well, when i first got done painting my car and my license plate bracket was still out at the powdercoater i got pulled over for no plate....but he forgot everything else illegal about my car lol, such as no driver or passenger side mirrors and no third light cuz my spoiler wasnt on yet....but no matter what, i dont think any state is going to get rid of the front license plate law, they make too much money off of it

JeremyNYR

iTrader: (2)

I made one pretty much the same way. I drilled 4 holes on the bottom side of the front ground effects and installed bolts from the top side facing downwards. They hold tight in the urethane. I then slide the bracket over the bolts and use 4 wingnuts to hold it in place. It's very easy to remove at a car show or for taking pictures.

Reid Fleming

iTrader: (2)

I'm not sure I see the benefit of using a hidden plate mount instead of the regular front mounting spot. Either way, the plate is on the car. Only benefit I can see is you don't have to drill holes in to the front of the car if it doesn't already have it.

Rebel flag in CT and NH? That's just out of place. I saw a rebel flag on a Geo in Canada one time and thought to myself that just isn't right.


Quebec has the best license plate system of all. No front plate. No rear sticker, no window sticker.

I H8 WWD

iTrader: (5)

I feel cars that dont come with a front plate mount from factory shouldnt have to have one.

Like the WRX and EVO's in which they have a FMIC...so no plate brackets were put on these cars. So they no matter where shouldnt have to have one.

IDK, maybe Ohio one day will rid themselves of the front plate being needed.

84redta

iTrader: (34)

When did new york stop the front plate thing?! two years back i took a ride iwth my truck after painting so it didn't have a plate. Pulled in my gurlfriends drive way where cops were there for the appartment next door. Parked my truck, went to get out and a cop came up and was like "lisense and registration" (as i was getting out of my car). I was like are you kidding?! He tried giving me a ticket for it but i argued with him for 10 minutes, but just this past summer my friend got one for no plate on the front of his RX7, he had it in the windshield and that was "wrong"

Marc8090

New York does require a front plate, however I wish they didn't.

customblackbird

iTrader: (15)

i knew some states didnt have to have them. i went 2 yrs without one i guess i just got lucky. has anyone else come up wiht anything else as far as mounting places/designs?

Reid Fleming

iTrader: (2)

You guys need to spray paint those silver plate holders black (or whatever body colour the car is to hide them. The silver sticks out too much.

1989GTATransAm

iTrader: (3)

If I get a ticket that is the type of bracket I will make for mine. Until then no plate on the front.

Stephen

iTrader: (12)

Really? I can't even see mine, once its mounted.


I might dab some white on the bolt heads though.
----------
Make your brackets, scuff them up a little, and carry it like that, in your car.

"But occifer...See? I've got it here, it just fell off this morning, and I've gotta get new bolts to hold it back on."

You'll get a warning then, not a ticket!

JeremyNYR

iTrader: (2)

That is the benefit. Being able to have the plate there and be legal when driving, and also have no ugly holes or bracket when you don't want it there. It's more critical for the fireburds where the stock bracket is actually screwed into the front nose and warps it badly. The Camaros atleast have a location where the plate appears to belong, and that whole trim piece can be swapped out.

racerx520

iTrader: (1)

oh im sorry guys, in the local paper that i read about NJ trying to rid themselves of the front plate they mentioned that pennsylvania and new york both dont need them....i guess they were wrong lol

micktroup

just got ticketed in California for no front plate... called the local deputy and we went through the ordinance- 'visible from the front- legible- securely mounted- not more than 60 inches from the ground'. I asked him- 'If I mount it in the corner of the front windshield, will that work? He said 'I would sign off on it!'
So, I went to Wal-Mart to their bathroom section. Found a soap dish that mounts to the shower wall with 2 suction cups- bought 2. Removed the suction cups, attached them to the new front plate and stuck it to the windshield. Problem solved!
Get the ticket signed off, remove plate and hurl into the trunk- don't scratch the rear window tint!
The occasional $10 fix-it ticket is BETTER than drilling holes in my bumper or mounting a tacky front plate that looks like a $5 Rolex on a $100 hooker!

online170

Works in some places, and with some people, and not others.

When i got ticketed, my plate was IN the front windshield, clearly visible, but not obstructing my vision.

When i asked the officer ticketing me what exactly IS the protocol for mounting the front plate, i got alot of, uh.... um..... ah..... er.... Just in the front of the car. I said, well this vehicle came like this from the factory, thats why its in the windshield, cuz i dont want to drill into my car..... His answer was, i dont care, u just need to secure it to the front...

I didnt argue with him, he wasnt ready to listen.

Jproz1167

iTrader: (3)

thats what I do on mine to just stick it in the front window and I've never had a problem. But I do like this guys idea on hiding the brackets like that.

customblackbird

iTrader: (15)

haha i did something like the "ahh it fell off this morning" crap lol

i got a ticket a month ago for it but then a week ago i got pulled over turning on my street when the cop was coming down... its a real narrow street, so he pulls right up to my front bumper and turns on his lights but he doesnt stop so i start backing down bc i didnt kno if he just wanted to get by, his lights where so darn bright that i could see behind me bc there was another car that was backing up as well, so my rim grinds against the curb, i get mad, i back outa the street and he pulls infront of me.... i get outa the car to go look at my rear rim and he yells get back in the car... IM LIKE WTF!! (if i had a pear in my hand im sure i woulda gotten shot 43 times.. he woulda thought it was a grenade haha)

so he comes over a min later and asks for all my info i give it to him and he says ur dont have a front license plate and i said yes i do its in the back hatch, as u can see officer someone backed into my front bumper and the plate came off and i have to get it put back on (my car had 3 yellow spots where the paint chipped off cuz some retard backed into me)he looked in the back wit his huge mag light and was like "oh... i see it" he told me to get it fixed and gave me a warning... i was 150ft from my house I WAS PISSSSSSEDDD!

micktroup

Research your state laws! If it says- like in CA- visible from the front; legible; securely mounted; not higher than 60 inches; quote the law and make the stupid SOB contradict you!
I don't see the point in wasting 1/2 a day in court fighting 'niusance' tickets, but I own a 3rd Gen Camaro, DAMNIT! And I am not going to let some d@#khead kid trooper who was at most 5 years old when our cars first appeared and has NO IDEA who champions of the 1st Gen Camaros like Grumpy Bill Jenkins, Wally Booth and Mark Donohue are TELL ME WHAT MY CAR DOES OR DOES NOT NEED TO BE LEGAL, FUNCTIONAL, BEAUTIFUL OR OTHERWISE WITHOUT A FIGHT!!!!

scooter

iTrader: (11)

Actually they LOSE money by forcing the second place on the car, in all states actually. Whether you have 1 plate or 2 you are going to pay the same amount for registration. In NJ inmates are making the license plates, they get paid to make the plates and the state/DMV has to pay for them to be made. They would save money by having less time/money per registration, they would save money from less material per registration and in the long run would save in labor because they could eliminate ~ 50% of those jobs. The only people that want the law to stay are the patrol officers, but they are just being stubborn. Something to the effect of 95% of patrol stops involve the REAR plate.
It is a waste of time and money for everyone involved.

JeremyNYR

iTrader: (2)

You continued driving when he put his lights on and you got out of your car when he stopped you... and YOU were pissed? Come on. You have to know to shut off your vehicle and wait for the officer to come to your window when you're stopped. Unless you're on fire, you don't go hopping out of the car!

rednblackrs

iTrader: (3)

They dont really need a front license plate it is just there to point the radar gun at it has no other purpose. Like you all said they cant read it any way from any point of view. But it does give a nice flat level shiny surface to point a laser at on any vehicle. So it pays the state to keep them.

Just some information to think about. Its not about the cosmetics of your car more about making money for the state.

Brisk

iTrader: (25)

there is truth to that, however I've read time and time again that any cop on the ball will simply aim at the headlight for a flat surface.

Stephen

iTrader: (12)

Radar guns aren't THAT sensitive, needing a front plate or headlight to get a reading. I got popped with no plate,and my headlights down.

Front bumpers, nose, and most windshields, are perfectly fine for bouncing the signal back.

They aren't pinpoint signals.

FNFAL308

iTrader: (1)

Been in Texas now since August with no front plate and haven't got a ticket. Although two times I have been stared down. I am not putting a plate on the front. No place for it. I'd sell the car first and get a z28 that has a place for one. Bird would be rediculous looking with a front plate. But with gray hair I'm less likely to have problems than the younger crowd.

Oh, I have a 91 bird.

racing geek

iTrader: (5)

You also need a front plate in WI. When I bought my IROC the front plastic piece that has "CAMARO" written on it looked new... no holes from a previous plate. I told my dad I would just put it in the front window and call it a day but he talked to a friend who is a cop and came back to tell me that it ain't good enough. His friend said that majority of cops would still pull me over. So now I have two holes in a otherwise brand new piece of plastic and an ugly plate covering "CAMARO". If cops see that my car is without a plate and look at me they will just think, "another kid breaking the law". At 16 the whole older and more mature with gray hair thing doesnt work for me.

strokedZ

I'm glad I live in PA and don't have to worry about a front plate. Much cleaner look. Of course as soon as I post this some state representative will be on this site and be like "You know what that seems like a good idea to have front plates in pa" and than I will be right with you guys complaining and trying to think of a way to get around it. haha.

mxcrazed

I have been pulled over in excess of 15 times in 3 years and i have never been asked for a front plate in my jeep and once in my Firebird and they didn't ask for a plate. I just keep it in the car. my belief is that they issue you 2 plates so if they aren't both on your car they assume it is on another.


This is why we all get hassled, it is because we drive F bodies!

Cops have a thing against these cars. I was parked in a parking lot in Lexington ma for 20 minutes talking to my girlfriend in her car then i got back in my car and there is a cop facing the road in the entrance to the parking lot. I pull up next to the cop left blinker on and let the clutch out a hair pull up one foot so that i can see traffic and the cop pulls up a foot. At this point i look to my left at my friend sitting shotgun and say to him "we are getting pulled over" I wait until it is all clear and pull out short shifting as much as possible as soon as i get out of second the lights are on and I had to pull over at my school while all the buses drove by me and everyone i knew stared. the cop gets out "license and registration" I hand him the title my jeeps registration and a form from the Rmv allowing me to use the plates from the jeep. he goes back to his car and everything checks out so he circles the car 3 times and says to me "you know your windshield is broken" and i said yes i have one week to get that fixed until I register the car. so he gave me a warning for that and my passenger and i both got $25 dollar tickets for seat belts. I have never seen such bull S*** in my life cops deserve beat downs for this kind of ****! YOU CAN'T JUST MAKE STUFF UP AFTER YOU PULL SOMEONE OVER AARRRRRGGG!

Stephen

iTrader: (12)

Same plate #s, on 2 different cars? You can do that there?

In TX, each plate # is tied to ONE vehicle. If you runs plates off one car, you'd get in MORE trouble for running the wrong plates, than if you had NO plates. You'd just have a LOT better chance of not being pulled over to begin with.

83 Crossfire TA

iTrader: (2)

Radar isn’t, Laser is. They specifically look for a flat, shiny surface to bounce it off of, there are actual sights on the gun and front plates are a favorite target. On something like my 4th gen TA you can get within a fraction of the distance that a 'normal' car can and still not get a clean signal off of it with the headlights down and the plate off because there isn't a real flat surface perpendicular to the direction of the laser on it.

TheRealBlkBird

That was'nt my post about the angle brackets I had to make for my Jeep was it? If so, THIEF!!

FNFAL308

iTrader: (1)

Stealth Mode

Stephen

iTrader: (12)

No. A TTA owner buddy of mine made them for his TTA. I only went by his description, since I've never seen his brackets.

87CIZ

iTrader: (8)

on my 4th gne i have the slp bracket that looks similiar in concept.
mine is a solid piece instead of l brackets though.

TheRealBlkBird

Really? This post appeared like 1-2 days after I made my post suggesting it to someone on here who could'nt figure out a way to mount their plate without making ugly holes. Oh well, from the looks of this post, Im not the only one to have come up with that idea anyway. It is the best way to mount the plate on most vehicles, imo.
Off subject, I may be getting a 4th gen. wing here shortly(if I can work the deal) so I may be PM'ing you for some info on that but we will have to see if the deal goes through first. I also have a couple other questions about your car but I'll wait and see about this wing and send all my questions at once.