Front license plate

[TheRedSlantnose]

If you live in Texas like I do, you'd know that a new law requires cars to have a front license plate. That's a problem with my 930 Slant because there's nowhere to put a front license plate. I'm not big on the idea of drilling holes in my bumper to mount the license plate, and I don't want to mount it in front of the grille since it may restrict airflow to the oil cooler. For a while, I kept the front license plate taped inside the windshield on the passenger's side, but I've since removed it because the tape leaves marks on my windshield.

Is there any good way and place to put a front license plate on my car without drilling any holes and restricting airflow to my front-mount oil cooler?

Thanks,

[full quack]

Well that sucks, my '84 just past the 30 year mark. So now I could go with a "collectors car" plate, and do not need to run a front plate anymore.

One of the few advantages of living in Washington state, I'm guessing that Texas does not have "collector car" plates??? Or yours is not old enough yet?

Mark

[jwasbury]

NJ requires front plates. I haven't run one since I installed my front mount oil cooler almost 2 years ago. I keep it in the car with me and figure I will be forced to deal with it once I get pulled over for not having it.

[TheRedSlantnose]

Originally Posted by jwasbury

NJ requires front plates. I haven't run one since I installed my front mount oil cooler almost 2 years ago. I keep it in the car with me and figure I will be forced to deal with it once I get pulled over for not having it.

One day when I was out on a drive, there was a police officer with his radar gun out on the side of the highway. Since I didn't have a front license plate, I was expecting to get pulled over for it, but he didn't even notice, lucky for me. I haven't gotten pulled over in my Slant before, and I just don't want to pay the fine for not having a front license plate.

[TheRedSlantnose]

Originally Posted by full quack

Well that sucks, my '84 just past the 30 year mark. So now I could go with a "collectors car" plate, and do not need to run a front plate anymore.

One of the few advantages of living in Washington state, I'm guessing that Texas does not have "collector car" plates??? Or yours is not old enough yet?

Mark

Well, we do have collector car plates here in Texas, but my car just isn't old enough to have one yet.

[16Volt]

There are towhook mounts and other aftermarket billet options which dont require drilling. There are also motorized solutions which stow horizontally.

WA requires a front plate and enforces it to a moderate degree. If your car came from the factory with a provision to run a plate (which all 930s did) then its required. Its a non-moving violation however. Now with new parking enforcement plate scanners you will get a no front plate ticket from a meter maid as well. Fine is $124.00.

The only way around it is running as a vintage vehicle with vintage plates (from the year of manufacture). If you just run collector plate you must again run a front plate. It is illegal here to mount a front plate in a manner which is too low or obstructed as well as putting it on the dash (which is very dangerous anyway).

My philosophy? I pay $124 bucks a year maybe to not run a front plate.

YMMV

[Ronnie's.930]

^^^ One thing to consider about not running a front plate in TX, though, is that doing so is probable cause to be pulled over, and hassled by "the man" (brother is a TX cop and has pointed this out). To me, this is even more of a concern/pain in the azz than the fine, and is just not worth it.

[16Volt]

Ronnie brings up a great point. It is probable cause, may want to run a front plate when your transporting your cache of Russian grenade launchers or when your giving Hoffa a ride to the airport.

[Hams930T]

I once saw a guy who put suction cups through the holes on the license plate and secured it to the windshield on the inside.

Also - Texas law regarding "classic auto" plates is 25 years - so any car 1989 and older is eligible for classic plates in Texas: TxDMV - Classic Plates

Personally speaking- I don't run a front plate on my car but keep the plate in my car just in case. It's not legal and I roll the dice. It's a personal decision.

Chris.

[gavinc69]

I just use double sided sticky pads and place it so it restricts air flow to front cooler as little as poss.

[Ronnie's.930]

Originally Posted by 16Volt

Ronnie brings up a great point. It is probable cause, may want to run a front plate when your transporting your cache of Russian grenade launchers or when your giving Hoffa a ride to the airport.

Not to mention when one's got the car loaded down with hookers and blow!

[fredmeister]

I had mounted mine in the center oil cooler window with zip ties thru the steel wire mesh screening so I could remove the plate easily for track days when I really need the front cooler efficency. This also required me to bend the plate in the center to make it fit in the space but I figured this also helps to deflect the radar signal when the Maryland State Troopers try to get me for speeding which is really why they want that front plate on there in the first place.

I now have it mounted to my front Rennline tow hook---- but I know you dont want to hear this because it required drilling a hole thru the bumper to mount this tow hook.

Good thing is the tow hook is functional though plus it makes your car look even faster and guarantees people to ask you questions on the car when they see it. You can then explain to them how its a factory race car and you track it at Lemans and what not.....kidding.

Fred

[full quack]

Hey there 16Volt...In Washington state you DO NOT run a front plate with a collectors plate.

Hell, they do not even give you a front plate!

I have 3 cars with collector plates, not a single one has a front plate.

Now if you run a personalized plate, then yes you are required to have a front plate as well.

Just F.Y.I. for any of you in Washington state.

Mark

[full quack]

Oh, and I do believe 1963 was the last year for dated plates in Washington State, so there is no "vintage" plate option for anything after, that let alone an 80's car.

Mark

[turbo nut]

Check with DMV and ask what plate you can get where they only issue one plate. In Oregon I got what is called a SP plate (special purpose) only one plate issued.

[16Volt]

Originally Posted by full quack

Hey there 16Volt...In Washington state you DO NOT run a front plate with a collectors plate.

Hell, they do not even give you a front plate!

I have 3 cars with collector plates, not a single one has a front plate.

Now if you run a personalized plate, then yes you are required to have a front plate as well.

Just F.Y.I. for any of you in Washington state.

Mark

Oh really? I only run the vintage plates (1977), so I only have one.



Not sure what you mean by "dated plate". Once the 86's are old enough unless the law changes you can run plates from 1986 or new collector plates.

There are a couple drawbacks to running vintage plates vs collector but they only apply to WA state.

[DohertyCM]

Careful with the classic plates in texas...they have driving restrictions that go along with them.

[speednme1]

Try this Ruf BTR Front Bumper Adapter Euro Model Oil Cooling Porsche 911 930 Turbo | eBay


Oh and one other thing..I thought it was ok to drive with an open can of beer in Texas...but driving without a front plate is an issue?....am I wrong?..wth..

[TheRedSlantnose]

Originally Posted by speednme1

Try this Ruf BTR Front Bumper Adapter Euro Model Oil Cooling Porsche 911 930 Turbo | eBay


Oh and one other thing..I thought it was ok to drive with an open can of beer in Texas...but driving without a front plate is an issue?....am I wrong?..wth..

Ah, that looks like it'll work with my car But I wonder how the plate holder is installed...

No, it's not okay to drive with open beer cans, even if only the passenger(s) are drinking it

[Noah930]

Just check your individual state's regulations on how to affix the front plate. Here in CA, it's got to be a permanent way--not magnets, not double-stick tape, not zip ties. Either use the bracket the factory provides (d), or at least come up with something semi-permanent. A friend used toggle bolts through the front grill of his (new) Dodge Challenger, for example. When he went to the CHP to get it signed off, the Patrolman checked to make sure it wasn't one of the flimsy ways I mentioned above.