Front Plate Holders
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 541
Likes: 40
From: Georgetown Texas
Front Plate Holders
Could someone tell me the difference between the "Front Bumper Molding" for $175, the "Front Aero Panel" for $160 and the standard supplied front license plate bracket? Both of the two options are listed as needed for front license plate use. Yes, I would like to not mount a front license plate, but I had the same problem with a Pontiac Solstice and I did get stopped by a state trooper and issued a warning. So, what's the difference between all three? Thanks to all who respond.
Moderator
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 39,134
Likes: 17,983
From: DFW Area TX
This thread (How to Install Aero Front Plate Holder) has pictures of both the Aero Panel and the standard plate mount. I have no idea what the "Front Bumper Molding" is.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 49,321
Likes: 3,920
From: Best Island in the U.S.
St. Jude Donor '12 thru '17
I'd risk a warning or even an occasional ticket rather than put a front plate on mine. Never had one on my C6 and don't have one on my C7. No tickets in many years of driving them without a front plate.
Moderator
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 39,134
Likes: 17,983
From: DFW Area TX
Only drilling to use the aero plate is holes for the plate screws into the aero plate back piece - not visible with either the aero plate cover or a license plate.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 2,016
Likes: 73
From: Texas
You might look at Top Flight Reproductions. Their low license plate bracket seems to be the best solution in my opinion.
Blocks a lot less air than the aero plate and they say less than the factory item that looks like a tumor on the nose of the car. Think it is $76, plan on getting one for mine. Don
Blocks a lot less air than the aero plate and they say less than the factory item that looks like a tumor on the nose of the car. Think it is $76, plan on getting one for mine. Don
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 10,548
Likes: 176
From: Upstate NY
The aero setup integrates best with the car from a visual point of view and functionally also. However, in some states it doesn't satisfy the minimum plate height. So GM provides the one the sticks on the front fascia to get the plate up higher. I am in NY and the front plate is required. However, in four years of Vette ownership I have never had one. Lucky I guess because I have never been confronted with it by a LEO. 
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
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
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,147
Likes: 107
From: Cherry Hill PRNJ
Could someone tell me the difference between the "Front Bumper Molding" for $175, the "Front Aero Panel" for $160 and the standard supplied front license plate bracket? Both of the two options are listed as needed for front license plate use. Yes, I would like to not mount a front license plate, but I had the same problem with a Pontiac Solstice and I did get stopped by a state trooper and issued a warning. So, what's the difference between all three? Thanks to all who respond.
check out Top Flight Reproductions for a more complete pic of how the plate looks...
TKO Performance for the carbon fiber if interested....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 2,299
Likes: 466
From: Long Island New York
Isn't the whole point of the Aero Plate to block air and reduce drag?
I thought that is why it is included (in addition to being a cool license plate holder (even if not legal)) and suggested for track use.
I have the aero plate in place, and it looks really good; plus, it probably adds to highway fuel economy.
I thought that is why it is included (in addition to being a cool license plate holder (even if not legal)) and suggested for track use.
I have the aero plate in place, and it looks really good; plus, it probably adds to highway fuel economy.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,180
Likes: 233
From: Minnetrista Minnesota
I usually run with no plate, but sometimes (after a beer or two) it is nice to have a front plate and not have to worry. So hear is a quick DIY for the aero plate. Notice the two 3/8 holes (one is by the Eagle's beak). Now you can you install or remove the bracket and plate in about 30 seconds. Otherwise you have to take off the plate before you have access to the bracket
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 2,016
Likes: 73
From: Texas
Isn't the whole point of the Aero Plate to block air and reduce drag?
I thought that is why it is included (in addition to being a cool license plate holder (even if not legal)) and suggested for track use.
I have the aero plate in place, and it looks really good; plus, it probably adds to highway fuel economy.
I thought that is why it is included (in addition to being a cool license plate holder (even if not legal)) and suggested for track use.
I have the aero plate in place, and it looks really good; plus, it probably adds to highway fuel economy.
From the manual:
"Remove the aero panel and bracket
to improve engine cooling and air
conditioning performance when
driving aggressively or in hot
weather.”
Don
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 136,140
Likes: 2,432
From: I live my life by 2 rules. 1) Never share everything you know. 2)
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13, '16-'17-'18
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 2,016
Likes: 73
From: Texas
I had one of the covers that supposedly reduces the ability of red light cameras to get your license under less than optimum angles.
Didn’t last long, got quickly pulled over by Kirtland AFB security and told to remove it or get ticketed. Off it came. Don
Didn’t last long, got quickly pulled over by Kirtland AFB security and told to remove it or get ticketed. Off it came. Don
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
Moderator
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 39,134
Likes: 17,983
From: DFW Area TX
No blurred out license plate in this thread. The blurry plate in the photo in my post is caused by the camera "depth of field". If you use a low f-stop, the depth of field will be shallow. The lower the f-stop (numerically), the less depth is in focus. With a really low f-stop and a busy background you can achieve a desirable effect called bokeh.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 2,016
Likes: 73
From: Texas
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,960
Likes: 1,106
No blurred out license plate in this thread. The blurry plate in the photo in my post is caused by the camera "depth of field". If you use a low f-stop, the depth of field will be shallow. The lower the f-stop (numerically), the less depth is in focus. With a really low f-stop and a busy background you can achieve a desirable effect called bokeh.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
Moderator
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 39,134
Likes: 17,983
From: DFW Area TX
And most purchasers of expensive DSLR cameras never take them out of "full auto" to take advantage of what the camera can accomplish. Most have a depth of field preview that will step down the lens to allow you to see what is and isn't in focus while composing the scene. In my case having a capable camera helps offset some lack of skill
