I posted one recently, using a bracket that I made. This is another ,using a replacement Aero Plate. This is for folks ( I am one of them) that for whatever reason want to mount a front license plate, and are considering their option. To summarize, there are other methods posted here and shown in videos on the web. Options I have seen posted include 1) remove the Aero Plate, drill holes in the bumper where the four rectangular bosses are, and mount the plate there. Many do this, but some don't like it because they don't want to drill any holes in the bumper even if they are covered. 2) use the gm supplied mounting bracket which in the opinion of many (including me) is not attractive and can be better done other ways, 3) remove the aero plate and replace it with a new custom bracket (my previous post was an example of that), 4) dont mount a plate, take the calculated risk of being stopped and possibly a fine (accepted as a corvette tax for the benefit of running with the Aero Plate in place, 5) dont mount a plate but carry a copy of a bill that was proposed but never passed to allow deletion of the front plate in states that normally requires it and claim you are out of state (I never fully understood that one since you have a rear plate), and hope the officer buys it, 6) drill holes in the Aero Plate and mount it there (which is the subject of this thread). Some also offered the idea of a wrap like thing that is a picture or replica of your tag.
So, to implement this solution I obtained a spare Aero Plate - and kept the one that came with the car originally, untouched. The Aero Plates are marked differently on the back. I show the difference in the photos. The replacement was made in 2019. The original with the car was made in 2021. I drilled holes in the Aero Plate for the license plate mounting screws - and inserted stainless 10-24 rivnuts. I also drilled holes to secure the Aero Plate in place using the existing mounting holes for the GM supplied bracket. After some experimentation it did not seem that the plate was secure enough with just the existing tabs that hold the Aero Plate in place, for the purpose of mounting a license plate. I also wanted a clear cover for the plate (and some have pointed out that in Maryland, even a clear cover is disallowed, but I did it anyway. I cut one out from a piece of thin clear plastic. The license plate and the clear cover are held together with vinyl door edge trim. The plate was not pre-bent, It just curves when its mounted in place. I used nylon screws, and hinged screw caps for #10 screws. Someone mentioned that my previous solution sounded like a lot of work. This does take a little time - maybe a couple of hours. I consider it a hobby.

original on the left

markings are different on the back

stainless rivnuts inserted. Its not the plate that came with the car. They may look like they are not lined up right, but they are.


clear plastic cover for the plate. edges are a little rough but they are covered by the edge trim.

Final product - front view

final product, side view

 

Love it !

 

I dont really understand why people are not just using the OEM plate mounting location under the cover.
They dont want to drill holes in the bumper where its marked and made for this purpose (and totally hidden) but they are ok with drilling holes in the exterior of the painted/finished center cover?
That reasoning makes no sense. I loved the fact that I could mount my plate in the recess and not damage the painted exterior of the bumper at all. Really appreciated GM handling that always annoying detail.

 

No tag looks better. Just my opinion

 

Tell that to the Governments that force us to have front plates to "protect" us.

 

I agree, but whatever makes the owner happy.

 

Gotta suck having to have one.

 

Man, I'm glad I don't live in a front plate state. That would drive me nuts.

 

Government forces you to have one? Just don't put it on. That's like saying they force you to drive no faster than the speed limit.

 

Thanks for this option looks good. In Texas you get one warning then $ 200 the next time so like it or not the plate goes on.

 

Have a cop in the area I live in who has a weird thing for nice cars. He is all over everyone, has a Facebook page dedicated to his nonsense. A friend of mine on the force was his training officer, recommended that he NOT be a cop and PD kept him on. Yep, he is one of those and the hassles are not worth it. This method of mounting the plate works.

 

To add to this exact logic, when the cover is removed, there are two big ugly square holes already there for the factory plate bracket. Drilling four little holes when there are already two big holes seems a bit inconsequential. To each there own, but this seems more like a solution to a problem that doesn't exist. Goes to show with enough effort, anything can be done.

 

Move to a state that does not require one or, in the case of TX, does not enforce it with the exception of a probable cause stop. YMMV

 

Lived in states requiring front plates forever, never put one on since it really takes away from the clean looks. Never been cited or pulled over for it. It's such a minor infraction anyway that the look outweighs the risk of leaving it off. These days if you get pulled over for that, it was probably another issue that the officer was concerned with anyway.

 

Exactly ..............

 

Thanks for everyone’s reply.
Andybump- what was the part number and place you found the replacement?
the part number on my cover is not showing up?I like your picks?will try to duplicate.

 

Gone without a front plate on my Corvettes for the last 6 years, in a state that requires one. Have never been hassled about it at all. I have the front plate mounted to a Sto 'n' Sho removable bracket in the frunk. If I'm ever hassled, I'll put it on.

 

I've had a BS fix-it ticket turn into a warrant for my arrest. If I can easily do something to avoid interaction with a LEO I do it.

 

I’ll keep the front license plate on. I never want to give a cop a valid reason to stop me. I got pulled over once in Montana for having blue/white LED license plate lights. Good thing I wasn’t coming home from dinner and beer.

 

TX will stop you for multi colored license plate lights too. Especially a lot of small town police. Not so much the DPS.