License plate mountings

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MrBlimp
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Your car is a: 1978 Fiat 124 Spider
Location: Chichester, NY

License plate mountings

Postby MrBlimp » Tue Jun 27, 2017 7:57 am

What have some of you done about mounting your front plate after removing the bumper?
69 Triumph Spitfire
70 MGB
78 Fiat 124 Spider
92 Mustang LX
00 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4.0L - Totaled
00 Ford Ranger XLT 3.0L
05 Hyundai Accent

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RRoller123
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Your car is a: 1980 FI SPIDER 2000
Location: SAGAMORE BEACH, MA USA

Re: License plate mountings

Postby RRoller123 » Tue Jun 27, 2017 11:45 am

This doesn't directly answer your question, but it does....

I kept the front bumpers, but the front license plate (required in MA) lives in the trunk, with mounting hardware. I have never been pulled over or even questioned by any authority about the lack of a front plate, but if it were to happen, I am pretty sure they would either let it skate, or let me just put the plate on and be on my way.

Having an "Antique" category plate probably helps, too.

Pete
'80 FI Spider 2000
'74 and '79 X1/9 (past)
'75 BMW R75/6
2011 Chevy Malibu (daily driver)
2010 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Ext Cab 4WD/STD BED
2002 Edgewater 175CC 80HP 4-Stroke Yamaha
2003 Jaguar XK8
2003 Jaguar XKR
2021 Jayco 22RB
2019 Bianchi Torino Bicycle

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MrBlimp
Posts: 88
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Your car is a: 1978 Fiat 124 Spider
Location: Chichester, NY

Re: License plate mountings

Postby MrBlimp » Tue Jun 27, 2017 2:32 pm

One thing you were sort of right about is that

RRoller123 wrote:This doesn't directly answer your question, but it does....
Pete


But it didn't

RRoller123 wrote:I kept the front bumpers, but the front license plate (required in MA) lives in the trunk, with mounting hardware. I have never been pulled over or even questioned by any authority about the lack of a front plate, but if it were to happen, I am pretty sure they would either let it skate, or let me just put the plate on and be on my way.
Pete


In NY it is both required and you would get stopped by a cop.

RRoller123 wrote:Having an "Antique" category plate probably helps, too.
Pete


I have regular plates (with the much lower classic car insurance) as "Historic" category plates in NY are only good for driving in a parade.

Besides, the way I drive I don't need any other reason for a cop to want to pull me over.
69 Triumph Spitfire
70 MGB
78 Fiat 124 Spider
92 Mustang LX
00 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4.0L - Totaled
00 Ford Ranger XLT 3.0L
05 Hyundai Accent

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RRoller123
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Re: License plate mountings

Postby RRoller123 » Tue Jun 27, 2017 3:17 pm

We are required to show both plates here too, but on an old hobby car, they just look the other way. Can't speak for NY though. Carrying it in the trunk is fine, plus the damned thing interferes with cooling air flow up front.
'80 FI Spider 2000
'74 and '79 X1/9 (past)
'75 BMW R75/6
2011 Chevy Malibu (daily driver)
2010 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Ext Cab 4WD/STD BED
2002 Edgewater 175CC 80HP 4-Stroke Yamaha
2003 Jaguar XK8
2003 Jaguar XKR
2021 Jayco 22RB
2019 Bianchi Torino Bicycle

baltobernie
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Your car is a: 1973 Spider [sold]
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Re: License plate mountings

Postby baltobernie » Tue Jun 27, 2017 8:15 pm

Marylanders are also required to display both tags, and I know of several instances where violators were ticketed. But I've been lucky without a front tag. We're allowed to use period-correct tags on Historic vehicles, and I guess that's why I haven't been stopped. The 1973 tags are a completely different color and style, and today's officers probably weren't even born then, let alone driving. They probably figure we only used the rear tag 45 years ago (nope).

While we're on the subject, if you can use period-correct tags in your state, you can get "replicas" made by these guys:
https://www.licenseplates.tv/usa-state-plates.html A few states have persuaded this company not to offer tags of their jurisdiction, including CA. The Maryland tag I got to replace a salvage pair looks darn near perfect.

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Texafornian
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Your car is a: 1977 Fiat 124 Spider
Location: Frisco, TX

Re: License plate mountings

Postby Texafornian » Wed Jun 28, 2017 2:30 am

I use zip ties through the lower grill and pull the bottom snug up against the air dam / chin spoiler.
Daniel

1977 Fiat 124 Spider

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Nanonevol
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Location: Medway, Massachusetts

Re: License plate mountings

Postby Nanonevol » Wed Jun 28, 2017 8:34 am

Hope you don't have to eat those words Pete. I'm with Mr. Blimp, I don't want to give a cop any reason to pull me over.
1977 Fiat Spider
1985 Jaguar XJ6
1967 Triumph Bonneville (hard-tail chopper)
1966 BSA Lightning

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RRoller123
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Re: License plate mountings

Postby RRoller123 » Wed Jun 28, 2017 2:15 pm

Had a nice chat with a MA State Police officer at Nantasket about the car; no problems, but I bet it would vary from officer to officer.
'80 FI Spider 2000
'74 and '79 X1/9 (past)
'75 BMW R75/6
2011 Chevy Malibu (daily driver)
2010 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Ext Cab 4WD/STD BED
2002 Edgewater 175CC 80HP 4-Stroke Yamaha
2003 Jaguar XK8
2003 Jaguar XKR
2021 Jayco 22RB
2019 Bianchi Torino Bicycle

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MrBlimp
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Your car is a: 1978 Fiat 124 Spider
Location: Chichester, NY

Re: License plate mountings

Postby MrBlimp » Wed Jun 28, 2017 2:19 pm

RRoller123 wrote:Had a nice chat with a MA State Police officer at Nantasket about the car; no problems, but I bet it would vary from officer to officer.


One day I was going to the DMV to transfer title, return plates related to same, and get new set under new title.

I parked the car in the street in front of the DMV and removed the plates.

As i did so I noticed a cop parked a short distance down the street so I went over and told him what I was doing and asked if it would be ok.

He replied "I won't bother you but that is just me. I am not speaking for anyone else."
69 Triumph Spitfire
70 MGB
78 Fiat 124 Spider
92 Mustang LX
00 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4.0L - Totaled
00 Ford Ranger XLT 3.0L
05 Hyundai Accent

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RRoller123
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Re: License plate mountings

Postby RRoller123 » Fri Jul 21, 2017 10:41 am

WELL! :!: I just discovered one time when you absolutely do need to have your front license plate attached; MA State Safety Inspection! Hahahahah! :roll: I forgot all about not having the front plate on. Good thing I had it and the mounting brackets in the trunk, or my long trip to my inspection mechanic would have been wasted. :|
'80 FI Spider 2000
'74 and '79 X1/9 (past)
'75 BMW R75/6
2011 Chevy Malibu (daily driver)
2010 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Ext Cab 4WD/STD BED
2002 Edgewater 175CC 80HP 4-Stroke Yamaha
2003 Jaguar XK8
2003 Jaguar XKR
2021 Jayco 22RB
2019 Bianchi Torino Bicycle

TX82FIAT
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Your car is a: 82 Fiat Spider 2000 CSO
Location: San Antonio

Re: License plate mountings

Postby TX82FIAT » Fri Jul 21, 2017 2:22 pm

+1 for zip ties to lower grill. The plate sits just above the spoiler. I'm in the process of converting to bumperless (sort of) and just need a couple items to properly secure T-Bar Style (VW hot rod) bumpers.
Buon giro a tutti! - enjoy the ride!

82 Fiat Spider 2000
03 BMW M3
07 Chevy Suburban

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RRoller123
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Re: License plate mountings

Postby RRoller123 » Fri Jul 21, 2017 3:59 pm

FWIW: With my license plate center mounted, low, blocking only the bottom grille (directly behind) the car ran ~10 degrees hotter this morning coming home from the inspection station, and took a lot longer to get back down to normal temp after leaving a red light. Usually it drops back to normal within less than a minute, but with the plate there, it took 2-3 minutes. At times I put on the defroster heater to bring it down. The car normally runs about 170F, steadily. I have AR's aluminum radiator in there.

FWIW: Similar results a few years ago when I ran without the front spoiler one Summer for a week or so while I was doing some work up front. The car consistently ran about 10F hotter.

Pete
'80 FI Spider 2000
'74 and '79 X1/9 (past)
'75 BMW R75/6
2011 Chevy Malibu (daily driver)
2010 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Ext Cab 4WD/STD BED
2002 Edgewater 175CC 80HP 4-Stroke Yamaha
2003 Jaguar XK8
2003 Jaguar XKR
2021 Jayco 22RB
2019 Bianchi Torino Bicycle

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MrBlimp
Posts: 88
Joined: Thu Jun 15, 2017 12:03 am
Your car is a: 1978 Fiat 124 Spider
Location: Chichester, NY

Re: License plate mountings

Postby MrBlimp » Fri Jul 21, 2017 11:19 pm

RRoller123 wrote:FWIW: With my license plate center mounted, low, blocking only the bottom grille (directly behind) the car ran ~10 degrees hotter this morning coming home from the inspection station, and took a lot longer to get back down to normal temp after leaving a red light. Usually it drops back to normal within less than a minute, but with the plate there, it took 2-3 minutes. At times I put on the defroster heater to bring it down. The car normally runs about 170F, steadily. I have AR's aluminum radiator in there.

FWIW: Similar results a few years ago when I ran without the front spoiler one Summer for a week or so while I was doing some work up front. The car consistently ran about 10F hotter.

Pete


I was expecting something like that to occur if I were to remove the bumpers and mount the front plate on the lower grill. I was thinking of a mounting between the grills - but it would have to be something that looks good.
69 Triumph Spitfire
70 MGB
78 Fiat 124 Spider
92 Mustang LX
00 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4.0L - Totaled
00 Ford Ranger XLT 3.0L
05 Hyundai Accent

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RRoller123
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Re: License plate mountings

Postby RRoller123 » Sat Jul 22, 2017 8:25 am

Saw this installed on a modern car at the Herb Chambers C&C last week. If I could make this work for the Spider I would do so immediately. Works on a key fob, remotely. Very smoothly flips the front plate up to horizontal position and retracts it inside. In the case of the car I saw it on, it completely pulled it back inside the bumper cover, through a slot, 100% hidden. Wickhud pissah. For the Spider, just getting it to the horizontal position while driving, to keep the airflow up, might be an advantage, but it needs to be somewhat hidden or it would be an eyesore in and of itself. Maybe mounted to the left or right of center, under the black rubber bumper pad on the post '74 Spiders?

https://www.amazon.com/Electric-Powered ... ate+holder

Or this manually operated one for a lot less, and certainly more reliable:

https://www.amazon.com/Show-Go-License- ... ate+holder
'80 FI Spider 2000
'74 and '79 X1/9 (past)
'75 BMW R75/6
2011 Chevy Malibu (daily driver)
2010 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Ext Cab 4WD/STD BED
2002 Edgewater 175CC 80HP 4-Stroke Yamaha
2003 Jaguar XK8
2003 Jaguar XKR
2021 Jayco 22RB
2019 Bianchi Torino Bicycle

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Nanonevol
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Your car is a: 1977 Fiat 124 Spider
Location: Medway, Massachusetts

Re: License plate mountings

Postby Nanonevol » Sat Jul 22, 2017 9:05 am

That's James Bond cool!
1977 Fiat Spider
1985 Jaguar XJ6
1967 Triumph Bonneville (hard-tail chopper)
1966 BSA Lightning


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