Front license plate bracket question
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 290
Likes: 62
From: Iowa
Front license plate bracket question
I do run with a front license plate on my C7. Did NOT use the VK3 high-nose bracket as provided by GM. As most do, I took off the cover on the aero panel provided, drilled the holes nicely marked out, and installed the "blackout" Iowa personalized tag from the IDOT. You have to put a bend in the plate vertically down the center so that it has a slight "V" to fit flush with the panel. I got a nice simple black license plate frame from a vendor that had the V molded in and used that in front.
I saw one picture on the forum where it looked like the C8 owner used the new VK3 to mount his plate. Yipes! Looked about as bad as the legal height C7 location.
There is a cover that you can take off of the front of a C8 and mount your plate, right?
My question is: Does the license plate sit flat in the holder of the C8? Or should I keep the V-form frame from my C7 to use on my new ride when it gets here?
I saw one picture on the forum where it looked like the C8 owner used the new VK3 to mount his plate. Yipes! Looked about as bad as the legal height C7 location.
There is a cover that you can take off of the front of a C8 and mount your plate, right?
My question is: Does the license plate sit flat in the holder of the C8? Or should I keep the V-form frame from my C7 to use on my new ride when it gets here?
Racer
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 267
Likes: 245
From: IA
As for speeding, they seem to be very reasonable up to 10 over.
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: Feb 2026
Posts: 12
Likes: 1
From: London, UK
On the C8, the factory front plate bracket is designed to hold the plate flat, so you usually do not need the V style frame like on the C7. Many owners report it fits flush behind the removable cover. You may want to wait and test fit before reusing your old frame, since the nose shape is different and alignment can vary slightly.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 290
Likes: 62
From: Iowa
Thank you all. To be clear, I am hoping to put my C7 on the market (private sale) before my C8 arrives (currently waiting on an allocation at MacMulkin) and maybe was going to give the V frame to the new owner of my 2017 if I couldn't reuse it.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2025
Posts: 248
Likes: 208
From: Katy, TX
I live in Texas, which requires a front plate. I have my front plate in the glove box. I have not gotten stopped in the 3 months and 2,500 miles if driven I've had Miss Scarlett. The GM front license bracket really screws up the look of the C8.
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Pro
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 746
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From: San Jose CA
Driven my C7 across the US from California to Maine and back 3 times. No front plate. Its been 9 years and 95k miles with no stops by LEO.
Driven my C8 from California to Maine, Canada and back in '24 only 15k miles. No LEO stops.
I did install the magnet system for the front C8 plate if I really need it.
Driven my C8 from California to Maine, Canada and back in '24 only 15k miles. No LEO stops.
I did install the magnet system for the front C8 plate if I really need it.
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Pro
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Mt Prospect IL
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I mounted mine like Ruouthere (sorry, no pics). I reinstalled the cover with the plate underneath. If I ever get pulled over I will show the officer the plate underneath the cover and ask for forgiveness.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 746
Likes: 656
From: San Jose CA
As added FYI, most states consider it illegal to have a altered plate and bending one to fit the car is altering it. LEO want to be able to view the full plate from all angles.
That being said I have never had a front plate on my Vettes.
Ya play the game and take your chances.
That being said I have never had a front plate on my Vettes.
Ya play the game and take your chances.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 1,560
Likes: 1,074
Originally Posted by Kbmwgt;[url=tel:1609434920
1609434920[/url]]As added FYI, most states consider it illegal to have a altered plate and bending one to fit the car is altering it. LEO want to be able to view the full plate from all angles.
That being said I have never had a front plate on my Vettes.
Ya play the game and take your chances.
That being said I have never had a front plate on my Vettes.
Ya play the game and take your chances.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 12,763
Likes: 10,199
From: Garden Valley CA
As added FYI, most states consider it illegal to have a altered plate and bending one to fit the car is altering it. LEO want to be able to view the full plate from all angles.
That being said I have never had a front plate on my Vettes.
Ya play the game and take your chances.
That being said I have never had a front plate on my Vettes.
Ya play the game and take your chances.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 267
Likes: 245
From: IA
How do you fight a front license plate ticket, it's like black/white print that in my state you need to run it @KMiles 1
