Front license plate help
04-15-2005, 01:30 PM
#1
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Location: Fairfax VA
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Front license plate help
All,
I just moved to the Commonwealth of VA from GA. I have a '96 that has never had a front plate on it. Here in VA it is required to have. I took the nice painted Corvette license plate cover off to attatch my new VA plates. I have 2 holes predrilled in the bottom of the plate, but none in the top. I poked around looking for a place to put the screws. There doesn't seem to be a hard place to put them.
I called Eckler's to inquire about a license plate frame kit. They told me that they are hard to get a hold of, because they aren't made and I would have to talk with GM or a salvage yard to get one. I talked with a GM dealership in metro DC and the guy said that nothing ever existed for that year. Who is telling me the truth and how do I done what I need to get done.
Any help is appreciated.
I just moved to the Commonwealth of VA from GA. I have a '96 that has never had a front plate on it. Here in VA it is required to have. I took the nice painted Corvette license plate cover off to attatch my new VA plates. I have 2 holes predrilled in the bottom of the plate, but none in the top. I poked around looking for a place to put the screws. There doesn't seem to be a hard place to put them.
I called Eckler's to inquire about a license plate frame kit. They told me that they are hard to get a hold of, because they aren't made and I would have to talk with GM or a salvage yard to get one. I talked with a GM dealership in metro DC and the guy said that nothing ever existed for that year. Who is telling me the truth and how do I done what I need to get done.
Any help is appreciated.
04-15-2005, 02:54 PM
#2
Team Owner
Because the cover is urethane, you just drill small holes in the cover and use a sheet metal screw. You should see 4 raised tabs (two on the top side and two at the bottom) with the plate cover off. Simply align the plate in the opening and make a mark on the tabs and drill some small holes to take something like a 8/24 screw. I just use some hex head screws in that size and about an inch long.
04-15-2005, 09:50 PM
#6
Race Director
Buy a clear cover for it and just set it inside of that. 
I think that is how mine is ( without running out to the garage and looking 
)
I think that is how mine is ( without running out to the garage and looking )
04-16-2005, 08:37 AM
#7
Burning Brakes
If you are as **** as me: Chev still sells the correct dark screw/washer as you have(or had) holding the rear plate on your 96. Four of them will set you back 3 bucks and some change, and you won't have that home depot look of bright zinc screws and chinese flat washers....or better yet, move down here to texas where it's Corvette weather year 'round and so far, nobody gives us grief about no front plate! JK
Good Luck, Lee
Good Luck, Lee
04-16-2005, 11:54 AM
#8
Burning Brakes
Front plates are required in Oregon.
My 86 came out of NC with no front plate. Never put the Oregon one on.
My 95 came out of Florida via Michigan, again no front plate and no Oregon plate.
Never been harassed about it. In fact there are quite a few Oregon Vettes without front plates. As long as you aren't doing something stupid the cops don't seem to mind.
<knock on wood>
My 86 came out of NC with no front plate. Never put the Oregon one on.
My 95 came out of Florida via Michigan, again no front plate and no Oregon plate.
Never been harassed about it. In fact there are quite a few Oregon Vettes without front plates. As long as you aren't doing something stupid the cops don't seem to mind.
<knock on wood>
Same in Missouri
04-16-2005, 08:10 PM
#10
Melting Slicks
Originally Posted by petdoc
....or better yet, move down here to texas where it's Corvette weather year 'round and so far, nobody gives us grief about no front plate! JK
Good Luck, Lee
Good Luck, Lee
04-17-2005, 12:03 AM
#11
Safety Car
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2023 C7 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
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Originally Posted by yellowlust
Never been harassed about it. In fact there are quite a few Oregon Vettes without front plates. As long as you aren't doing something stupid the cops don't seem to mind.
04-17-2005, 10:38 PM
#13
Melting Slicks
I just moved to Maryland from South Carolina last year. I just got around to putting the front plate on my car. I ordered the clear plate cover from MidAmerica to kind of blend the plate area into the front facia. I drilled two very small pilot holes through the eurethane bumper and secured the license plate with stainless steel sheet metal screws with SS washers. Works very well.
04-17-2005, 11:27 PM
#14
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St. Jude Donor '05
Originally Posted by petdoc
If you are as **** as me: Chev still sells the correct dark screw/washer as you have(or had) holding the rear plate on your 96. Four of them will set you back 3 bucks and some change, and you won't have that home depot look of bright zinc screws and chinese flat washers....or better yet, move down here to texas where it's Corvette weather year 'round and so far, nobody gives us grief about no front plate! JK
Good Luck, Lee
Good Luck, Lee
04-19-2005, 12:16 AM
#15
Burning Brakes
Originally Posted by Intimidator454
You gotta be kidding... I used to get in trouble alot in San Anto, when I was younger livin' there!
(JK...That car is awesome....)
04-22-2005, 06:40 PM
#16
Drifting
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When I lived in Texas, I got pulled over in Haskell, Texas for improper display of license plate. Worse part about it was that I did have the plate on, it was just covered by a front-end mask I had installed the day before!
If I'm not mistaken, the make a mask for the car with a license plate opening. Just looked at the Mid America catalog and they don't carry them. But I know I've seen them before.
04-22-2005, 07:29 PM
#17
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i think here in IL you are required to have one if your car is outfitted for it. On my dad's '96 it has the recession for a plate but it is too small. I was thinking about asking a cop if there were any laws about trimming down your plate so that it fits in the recession because right now it looks kinda goofy. As long as you can tell what state the plate is and the registration year it shouldn't matter (oh and of course the plate #) Why not trim off the bottom and then punch 2 holes through the new sized plate and then just screw it on?
