Front Plate Installation
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Dove Canyon CA
Front Plate Installation
After driving my C5 convertible for 3 years here in California I got stopped by the cops for not having a front plate installed. I blamed it on the dealer and he said fine but here's a ticket. Get it on by the end of September. I went to do it this morning and couldn't figure out how to get to it. I couldn't figure out how to get the filler panel out of the area where the plate goes. I cold use a little experienced help. Thanks
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 226
Likes: 0
From: Palo Alto Ca
front plate aaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh
There are two phil head screws on the bottom of the cover plate they are hard to see they are in the crack between the cover and the front facia.....unscrew them and the cover slips down and out....I have installed the front plate with stainless screws and make sure the cover slips over the plate.....when you go to have the ticket signed off it look like a solid install then after you leave just put the cover on and you are all set......you might be able to talk yourself out of a ticket next time by showing the cop your plate is there you just forgot to remove the cover...good luck 
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 10,295
Likes: 4
From: Downers Grove IL
St. Jude Donor '15
I velcroed my front cover on over my ugly Illinois plate. When LEO stops me, I'll hopefully be able to just undo it. (DISCLAIMER: ANY ILLINOIS LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS VIEWING THIS ARE URGED TO IGNORE THIS POST. THANK YOU.)
Pro
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 710
Likes: 1
From: Fremont (Livin' On The Fault Line!) CA
There's another thread in the Z06 forum regarding the use of the front license plate in CA Attn: California Vettes- how many front plate users?
When you do get the plate bracket installed, buy a license plate surround (aka front plate smoothie) through here: Kewl Inc. (click EXTERIOR, then License Surrounds).
You will be amazed just how well the license plate looks using one of these
(not as pretty as the Corvette plate obviously but almost as good and LEGAL 
)
As much as I'd like to run without the front plate, I just don't want the hassle or the worry; I know too many people that have gotten stopped/ticketed/hassled in CA for running without the front plate...
Attn: California Vettes- how many front plate users?When you do get the plate bracket installed, buy a license plate surround (aka front plate smoothie) through here: Kewl Inc. (click EXTERIOR, then License Surrounds).
You will be amazed just how well the license plate looks using one of these
(not as pretty as the Corvette plate obviously but almost as good and LEGAL )As much as I'd like to run without the front plate, I just don't want the hassle or the worry; I know too many people that have gotten stopped/ticketed/hassled in CA for running without the front plate...
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Dove Canyon CA
Thanks guys, You're right about the flashlight. I did find the two screws but will wait till tomorrow to tackle the job. I've ordered the clear contured plate cover from Mid-America so hopfully the good looks wouldn't be too badly damaged.
Lotuseater
Lotuseater
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,080
Likes: 151
From: Toronto
Originally Posted by Lotuseater
Thanks guys, You're right about the flashlight. I did find the two screws but will wait till tomorrow to tackle the job. I've ordered the clear contured plate cover from Mid-America so hopfully the good looks wouldn't be too badly damaged.
Lotuseater
Lotuseater
Last edited by JETZ; Sep 6, 2005 at 03:56 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 215
Likes: 0
From: LA CA
Originally Posted by Lotuseater
After driving my C5 convertible for 3 years here in California I got stopped by the cops for not having a front plate installed. I blamed it on the dealer and he said fine but here's a ticket. Get it on by the end of September. I went to do it this morning and couldn't figure out how to get to it. I couldn't figure out how to get the filler panel out of the area where the plate goes. I cold use a little experienced help. Thanks
Ah that sucks.
I drove my mustang around for 11 months without ANY plates on (dealer tags) and never bothered to get my plates and was fine - cops probably thought it was new lol.
I did get hit for it when i got a ticket though. Bastard bike cops.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,879
Likes: 0
From: Plainfield Ill.
Originally Posted by Chicago
I velcroed my front cover on over my ugly Illinois plate. When LEO stops me, I'll hopefully be able to just undo it. (DISCLAIMER: ANY ILLINOIS LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS VIEWING THIS ARE URGED TO IGNORE THIS POST. THANK YOU.)
, I have the cover still, and haven't really been stopped by the cops ( knock on wood). already drove it on the highway to Peoria and back. To O'hare at least a few times with at least a few Chicago PD's on the scene. Guess I was just lucky, but then again, I usually only drive about 10 over.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,404
Likes: 0
From: Lino Lakes, MN _________________________ I Figured out how to do this!
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06
Originally Posted by JETZ
Using a china marker, and with the contured plate on the car draw a perimiter around your plate encircling the numbers, remove and mask area on the back where the numbers would be then take to body shop, and get the back painted to match the car. Now the contured plate almost disappears, yet plate numbers are fully visable. I'm having a hood, spoiler, and a couple of other thing painted now, so I'm also doing this mod! A number of forum members have done this mod.
LIke this?
I painted the front and the back. I also notched the holes in the bottom of this cover and the solid cover so I can pop off either one and swap them out.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,080
Likes: 151
From: Toronto
Originally Posted by 14U2ENV
LIke this?
I painted the front and the back. I also notched the holes in the bottom of this cover and the solid cover so I can pop off either one and swap them out.
I painted the front and the back. I also notched the holes in the bottom of this cover and the solid cover so I can pop off either one and swap them out.
