Front license plate
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
From: Eastvale Ca
Front license plate
I have driven my 2004 Corvette all over So. California without a front plate, to the tune of 125,000 miles and never a problem from the law. I knew that driving without a front plate was against the law, and I figured I would worry about it when, and if, the time came. OK, here's the strange part: two weeks ago I went to an exhibit at the Convention Center in Los Angeles and parked the car (in and end spot, nose in) in the lot. When I came out, there was a ticket on my windshield, written by the Convention Center Parking Enforcement (whoever/whatever that is) for not having a front plate. So, after driving the car for all these miles, I finally get hit with this, probably written by some Parking Attendant riding around in a little cart.
I just paid the $45.00 and went on. Nothing I can do about it, but thought I'd vent a little here.
I just paid the $45.00 and went on. Nothing I can do about it, but thought I'd vent a little here.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 859
Likes: 1
Hmm, been pulled over once in TX for no front plates. Cop: "sir do you no why I pulled you over?" Me: "no sir..." Cop: "no front license plate. Did you know you are required to have one?" Me: "no, no I did not" Cop: "make sure you fix that, I'm giving you a warning. Have a good day"
Still haven't fixed it...
Still haven't fixed it...
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 20,030
Likes: 289
From: Wylie TX --> Less is More, except under the hood !
Hmm, been pulled over once in TX for no front plates. Cop: "sir do you no why I pulled you over?" Me: "no sir..." Cop: "no front license plate. Did you know you are required to have one?" Me: "no, no I did not" Cop: "make sure you fix that, I'm giving you a warning. Have a good day"
Still haven't fixed it...
Still haven't fixed it...
So I decided to make a little fun project out of it, and made this....
I got a "Clear" plate and painted the inside body color.
Most of my friends don't have front plates.
They don't seem to have issues.
I don't mind my front plate though.
Toque
7th Gear
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: BOERNE TEXAS
Toque.....what a great alternative....the tickets here in San Antonio are running $210.00.
I just ordered a fold away plate bracket, but I'd rather go with what you have. Where did you get the clear plate cover?
I just ordered a fold away plate bracket, but I'd rather go with what you have. Where did you get the clear plate cover?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 20,030
Likes: 289
From: Wylie TX --> Less is More, except under the hood !
http://www.westcoastcorvette.com/p-6...04-c5-z06.aspx
I have the whole procedure on my web site if you want to look to see how I did it.
www.ToqueZ06.com
Look in section --> Painting a C5 Clear Front License Plate:
Hope this helps !
Toque
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 4,309
Likes: 13
From: FW/d Texas
At least now I don't have to worry about getting hassled by the cops.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,037
Likes: 24,726
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Getting ticketed once in 125K miles - I'd say your luck has been pretty good.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 669
Likes: 31
From: Webster NY
I currently don't run one but I've been toying with the idea of making one like Toque has.
Looks good and still retains the factory look.
I have yet to get stopped for no front plate (its required) but then again I see a ton of cars without front plates driving around so I don't think it's a high priority for the local PDs list.
Looks good and still retains the factory look.
I have yet to get stopped for no front plate (its required) but then again I see a ton of cars without front plates driving around so I don't think it's a high priority for the local PDs list.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 16,253
Likes: 1,657
From: Arizona
Just drove the Z from Arizona back to Texas.
The one guy I work with said he tested his luck without a front plate and didn't get very far. He got a $270.00 ticket and said he wasn't F'ing with it any more and put his front plate on.
I recently ran a query on another thread and honestly couldn't stand the look of a front plate, so I took the expensive way out in advance and re-registered my Vette in Arizona.
No front plate.
No blue registration decal in the windshield.
No inspection sticker below blue registration decal.
It's only money and you can't take it with you.
And in the 10 years I had my FRC with dark tint, no front plate, and rear tinted lenses (for a while), I never had an issue. Must be a "Texas Thing"
Toque's looks professionally done and done well.
I've seen smaller "motorcycle license plate sized" stickers in Germany on the front end of exotics.
The one guy I work with said he tested his luck without a front plate and didn't get very far. He got a $270.00 ticket and said he wasn't F'ing with it any more and put his front plate on.
I recently ran a query on another thread and honestly couldn't stand the look of a front plate, so I took the expensive way out in advance and re-registered my Vette in Arizona.
No front plate.
No blue registration decal in the windshield.
No inspection sticker below blue registration decal.
It's only money and you can't take it with you.
And in the 10 years I had my FRC with dark tint, no front plate, and rear tinted lenses (for a while), I never had an issue. Must be a "Texas Thing"
Toque's looks professionally done and done well.
I've seen smaller "motorcycle license plate sized" stickers in Germany on the front end of exotics.
Last edited by WICKEDFRC; Aug 25, 2014 at 10:07 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 2,491
Likes: 315
St. Jude Donor '15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20-'21-'22
Our cars definitely look better without a license plate.
Unfortunately I live in a state which requires a front license plate so I have one.
The reason is that I don't want to give the police an additional excuse to stop me.
Unfortunately I live in a state which requires a front license plate so I have one.
The reason is that I don't want to give the police an additional excuse to stop me.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 859
Likes: 1
I got mine from here. ($24 + shipping) http://www.westcoastcorvette.com/p-6...04-c5-z06.aspx I have the whole procedure on my web site if you want to look to see how I did it. www.ToqueZ06.com Look in section --> Painting a C5 Clear Front License Plate: Hope this helps ! Toque
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,928
Likes: 93
From: Boulder City NV
Expensive tickets are a scary thought...LOTS of cars where I live in Nevada DON'T run front plates..When I visit Cali soon I'll stick mine on my dash in the windshield and hope for the best...now about my very dark tinted windows..oh CRAP.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 10,789
Likes: 894
From: Northern Illinois
Oldtimer
I've never been pulled over for no front plate. In fact, I haven't had a front plate on any of my cars (with the exception of my wife's car) for years. In my opinion, many of the new cars look like crap with a front plate because of their aerodynamic designs. Nothing like putting a straight rectangular piece of metal on the front of a car.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,311
Likes: 8
From: Plano Texas
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
I got mine from here. ($24 + shipping)
http://www.westcoastcorvette.com/p-6...04-c5-z06.aspx
I have the whole procedure on my web site if you want to look to see how I did it.
www.ToqueZ06.com
Look in section --> Painting a C5 Clear Front License Plate:
Hope this helps !
Toque
http://www.westcoastcorvette.com/p-6...04-c5-z06.aspx
I have the whole procedure on my web site if you want to look to see how I did it.
www.ToqueZ06.com
Look in section --> Painting a C5 Clear Front License Plate:
Hope this helps !
Toque
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
From: Eastvale Ca
You have a good point, however I just didn't want to waste one more minute of my life with this. Not worth the $45.00.