front plate info need help!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 222
Likes: 0
From: alton Ill
front plate info need help!
new here , live in a state that requires front plate, I would just as well leave insert in but dont know if it is worth risking a ticket?
Is there any kind of filler to go around plate if one is installed to make it look better? looks really (nasty) with a plate installed .
thanks for any info!
Is there any kind of filler to go around plate if one is installed to make it look better? looks really (nasty) with a plate installed .
thanks for any info!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,786
Likes: 7
From: Iowa
there should be a bracket that the plate sits in which helps to keep the lines smooth at least. they come in black regardless of your car's color but you can paint it to match and it looks much better. I've also seen some clear plate covers which restore the contours of the front bumper but let you see the plate inside.
Unfortunately front plates look hideous regardless of what you do. My C5 is yet another victim of the people's republic of Virginia, and I Can't wait to move out of this place just because of all the plates and stickers they force onto my cars!
The only good news is that no front plate is a non-moving violation so if you can pay the fines on it it won't hurt you too much.You can usually get away with it for a while since cops have to distinguish between cars without front plates and cars which are from free states and don't need them at all. But I doubt you can get away with it forever. You might make it a few years though, I know people who have done it.
Unfortunately front plates look hideous regardless of what you do. My C5 is yet another victim of the people's republic of Virginia, and I Can't wait to move out of this place just because of all the plates and stickers they force onto my cars!
The only good news is that no front plate is a non-moving violation so if you can pay the fines on it it won't hurt you too much.You can usually get away with it for a while since cops have to distinguish between cars without front plates and cars which are from free states and don't need them at all. But I doubt you can get away with it forever. You might make it a few years though, I know people who have done it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,149
Likes: 5
From: Grafton WI
new here , live in a state that requires front plate, I would just as well leave insert in but dont know if it is worth risking a ticket?
Is there any kind of filler to go around plate if one is installed to make it look better? looks really (nasty) with a plate installed .
thanks for any info!
Is there any kind of filler to go around plate if one is installed to make it look better? looks really (nasty) with a plate installed .
thanks for any info!
This is a photo of mine. I also have the filler plate, but never have used it. A front plate is required in WI as well.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,226
Likes: 45
From: Castleton VA
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Here in VA, you're likely to get tagged at some point -- the first day I drove my '04 after I returned from picking it up in NJ, I had a local LEO going by in the opposite direction whip a fast u-turn to chase me down. I was completely legal at the time (speed, lane, etc.), so the only reason could have been the lack of front tag. When he caught up, at the last minute he saw the out-of-state temp tag, and peeled off.
I hate the front plate, too, but the hassle isn't worth it to me. My solution is a clear cover (available from several vendors) that exactly follows the lines of the body colored cover. Don't look great, but better than giving free money periodically to the Gov't:
I hate the front plate, too, but the hassle isn't worth it to me. My solution is a clear cover (available from several vendors) that exactly follows the lines of the body colored cover. Don't look great, but better than giving free money periodically to the Gov't:
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Redsox, Pats, Celts & Bruins !!! Redsox Nation !!!
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There is no bracket. The bracket for the plate is built into the bumper. If that is what you are saying. The surround is sold by most of the larger vendors like ecklers, mid america, etc.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,786
Likes: 7
From: Iowa
I don't remember where but I have found them from a vender who sells them pre-sanded for a smooth surface (stock has a rough texture to it, looks better smoothed) and already painted to match many C5 factory colors including Torch Red, which is what I need also. I can't find the link right now though, maybe someone can help him out? I highly recommend it, its on my short list of mods to do to my car. might actually have a body shop paint my original one. it makes it look 100% better.
Administrator
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Get yourself a painted license plate surround that matches the car. They make it look so much better when you have to run a front plate. They are available from a number of forum vendors.
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Racer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 250
Likes: 0
From: Boston MA
This link was posted in another thread about front plates.
I don't know anything about the vendor.
http://www.kewlauto.com/
I don't know anything about the vendor.
http://www.kewlauto.com/
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 836
Likes: 0
From: WESTMONT ILLINOIS
This link was posted in another thread about front plates.
I don't know anything about the vendor.
http://www.kewlauto.com/
I don't know anything about the vendor.
http://www.kewlauto.com/
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 6,725
Likes: 5
From: Colesville MD
http://www.yellohh.com/images/Galler...00128_JPG.html
I can't post the pic from my work computer, but if you click on the link, you will see the best solution to your problem.
I can't post the pic from my work computer, but if you click on the link, you will see the best solution to your problem.
Racer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 250
Likes: 0
From: Boston MA
I know Mid-American sells a similar piece.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 279
Likes: 0
From: NOVA VA
http://www.yellohh.com/images/Galler...00128_JPG.html
I can't post the pic from my work computer, but if you click on the link, you will see the best solution to your problem.
I can't post the pic from my work computer, but if you click on the link, you will see the best solution to your problem.
-Steve
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 6,725
Likes: 5
From: Colesville MD
First, it looks all the way decent, not halfway. Second, I was stopped my the Maryland State Police for having no front tag. He walked to the front of my car, looked down, saw it, came back and said, "Oh, I didn't see it there, it blends in. Have a nice day."
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 168
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From: Hooksett NH
The "License Plate Frame: Front" was a $15.00 option on my car.
Sometime you got one, sometime you did not.
If you did they only came in black.
The Silver C5 in the picture earlier in this post has the option but had it painted to match the car.
Someone already mentioned the part number.
Sometime you got one, sometime you did not.
If you did they only came in black.
The Silver C5 in the picture earlier in this post has the option but had it painted to match the car.
Someone already mentioned the part number.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,226
Likes: 45
From: Castleton VA
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Very true -- also illegal in VA, but I've never had a problem -- seems the LEOs are satisfied with the fact that I've at least got the plate there. FWIW, after a heavy rain, there's a lot of water drops covering the inside of the cover, making the plate a lot less readable, but even like this, I've not has any LEO problems.