Front License Plate.....
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 224
Likes: 2
From: St. Charles Missouri
Front License Plate.....
....I live in a state (Missouri) where a front plate is required and currently do NOT have one on my '69. Aside from aesthetics and the fact that it's square in front of the radiator, I'd like to know if I'm the only criminal. Haven't been popped yet but I'm sure Uncle Wiggly will get me someday. Are any of you folks criminals?
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,729
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From: Austin Texas
Corvette of the Year Winner 2017
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
check into Antique plates,
in Texas you are expemt from running a front plate if your running Antique plates.
However the down side..... is most officers will pull you over for no front plate,
because they are unaware of the no front plate required for Antique plates.
once stopped, and explained they let you go.
in Texas you are expemt from running a front plate if your running Antique plates.
However the down side..... is most officers will pull you over for no front plate,
because they are unaware of the no front plate required for Antique plates.
once stopped, and explained they let you go.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 668
Likes: 3
From: Platteville WI
Do yourself a favor, put it on. Why invite any hassles? The only time I haven't run a front plate was when I owned a car originally from another state that did not come equiped with a bracket. Guess what? I got pulled over and given a warning. Just a hassle.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 332
Likes: 1
From: Watkins Glen New York
Mine has provisions for a front plate, which is nice since my state requires it.
I owned an old Lotus Europa a million years ago, and there was no way I was going to put a front plate on it, but after getting popped a few times I mounted one on a retractable mount that was actuated from inside the car by a manual choke cable.
Remember in the 70's when your rear plate folded down to allow access to the gas filler neck? I used that bracket upside down. It was cool in a "now you see it, now you don't" kind of way.
I owned an old Lotus Europa a million years ago, and there was no way I was going to put a front plate on it, but after getting popped a few times I mounted one on a retractable mount that was actuated from inside the car by a manual choke cable.
Remember in the 70's when your rear plate folded down to allow access to the gas filler neck? I used that bracket upside down. It was cool in a "now you see it, now you don't" kind of way.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,667
Likes: 3,123
From: Shamong, NJ
Mounting a front license plate, won't really have much effect on cooling. 68 up Corvettes are bottom breathers, in that most of the cooling air comes from under the car, by way of the front spoiler and lower valance panel. By 1975, Chevrolet wasn't even bothering to open up the area in the center of the front bumper, even on cars going to states without front tags.
As far as the chances of being stopped for not having a front tag, visit the C6 Forum and see what those guys have to say. Chevrolet basically has a half a$$ed front tag mount for those cars, and it looks like crap. C6 owners are always getting stopped because they've left their front tag off!
As far as the chances of being stopped for not having a front tag, visit the C6 Forum and see what those guys have to say. Chevrolet basically has a half a$$ed front tag mount for those cars, and it looks like crap. C6 owners are always getting stopped because they've left their front tag off!
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From: Cape Cod, Mass.
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The front plates look fine on the factory mounting bracket for 68 and 69. I have the plate on the front of my 68. It looks fine and doesn't effect cooling.
As for my C6 Z06. No front plate as GB said. They look like crap. I still have my get out of jail free card though
If you go without a front plate make sure you carry the other plate. We used to stop the cars for failing to display the front plate primarily because the second plate was usually affixed to a second vehicle. Most guys on the job will cut you a little slack if you have the second plate in the car. I just can't see not mounting it on an early C3 though.
As for my C6 Z06. No front plate as GB said. They look like crap. I still have my get out of jail free card though
If you go without a front plate make sure you carry the other plate. We used to stop the cars for failing to display the front plate primarily because the second plate was usually affixed to a second vehicle. Most guys on the job will cut you a little slack if you have the second plate in the car. I just can't see not mounting it on an early C3 though.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,101
Likes: 3
From: Cruising somewhere in St. Louis, Missouri
....I live in a state (Missouri) where a front plate is required and currently do NOT have one on my '69. Aside from aesthetics and the fact that it's square in front of the radiator, I'd like to know if I'm the only criminal. Haven't been popped yet but I'm sure Uncle Wiggly will get me someday. Are any of you folks criminals?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,070
Likes: 5
From: N.Richland Hills Texas
I know you are not in Texas but there are several threads in here and "Southwest" about this.... The law states the front plate has to be mounted on the furthermost forward part of the car, not the windshield... You might check your states laws ...
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 119
Likes: 23
From: Washington, D.C.
....I live in a state (Missouri) where a front plate is required and currently do NOT have one on my '69. Aside from aesthetics and the fact that it's square in front of the radiator, I'd like to know if I'm the only criminal. Haven't been popped yet but I'm sure Uncle Wiggly will get me someday. Are any of you folks criminals?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,019
Likes: 18
From: St. Louis MO
just toss it in the car and tell them it fell off. I live just across the bridge from you and always did that with my old truck. I went ahead and got the year of mfg plates on the vette. about 40 bucks one time and never have to pay again, or get inspection!!
Pro
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 668
Likes: 3
From: Platteville WI
I know I'll get heat for this but I think you all are missing the point. The point is to NOT get pulled over in the first place. Not ,how to get out of a ticket AFTER you've been pulled over. Get it?
I guess I just feel like a good rant today. Where's my coffee?
I guess I just feel like a good rant today. Where's my coffee?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
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From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
Back when the state legislature tried to add them here in Tennessee, the opposition pointed out that it was just an extra tax posing as a law enforcement "aid". Thanfully, cooler heads prevailed and the bill didn't pass. IMHO they look absolutely fugly on many a car, especially newer gen Corvettes. My $.02. Rant on brother!
Racer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 326
Likes: 0
That is a nice looking historic plate xCCTer.
Front plates are required here in Cali. I just put it on after being hassled by a few bored Law Enforcement Officers. Then they say nice car. You know ya want to say &^%#$&&&443$$, but ya don't dare. RRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Front plates are required here in Cali. I just put it on after being hassled by a few bored Law Enforcement Officers. Then they say nice car. You know ya want to say &^%#$&&&443$$, but ya don't dare. RRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Last edited by boeing46; Jun 13, 2012 at 07:59 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,123
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From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
http://dor.mo.gov/forms/570.pdf
In Missouri, if you can get a YOM plate from someone, you can fill out this form and send it with the fee (of course) and a picture of the plate. They'll send you back a registration.
I also disagree with those that say the front plate won't cause cooling issues. With the plate and bracket installed my 69 would steadily climb to well over 225. No front plate and it rarely makes 200 on a 100* day. No problem around town, but on the highway the temp was off to the races. I'm running a GM factory L-88 radiator, and the shroud is modified from the factory 427/435.
In Missouri, if you can get a YOM plate from someone, you can fill out this form and send it with the fee (of course) and a picture of the plate. They'll send you back a registration.
I also disagree with those that say the front plate won't cause cooling issues. With the plate and bracket installed my 69 would steadily climb to well over 225. No front plate and it rarely makes 200 on a 100* day. No problem around town, but on the highway the temp was off to the races. I'm running a GM factory L-88 radiator, and the shroud is modified from the factory 427/435.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 259
Likes: 3
From: Plano TX
Plate
Around Dallas, if I took a pic of the 1st 1000 C5s or C6s I see, I doubt a handful would have a front plate.
See what they do in your area. I haven't run a front plate on my '73 in 6 years, and knock on wood (or my head, which ever might be appropriate), I haven't been stopped yet.
If I ever get stopped, I'll probably get a ticket, but not before I point out every C5 or C6 that drives by.
See what they do in your area. I haven't run a front plate on my '73 in 6 years, and knock on wood (or my head, which ever might be appropriate), I haven't been stopped yet.
If I ever get stopped, I'll probably get a ticket, but not before I point out every C5 or C6 that drives by.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,239
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From: Palatine, Peoples Republic of Illinois
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I was ticketed in Illinois about 2 weeks after I bought my '70. What pi$$ed me off was that the car was angle parked at the curb so this clown had to get out of his car and walk to the front of mine to even see that there was no front plate. That was in Des Plaines, Il. I tried to complain that I had just purchased the car and hadn't had time to get the part yet, but they didn't really care - just wanted their money. As a result I haven't purchased anything in Des Plaines since (5 years). I guess I hold a grudge!