License plate lighting with no bumperettes

[Porchcar guy]

My 79SC tells me it wants to lose the bumperettes but leave the rub strips. I would like to have license plate lights on either side of the plate. Recommendations or links requested on what will work. I do like the look of side lighting and the rub strips... Thanks !

[klaus]

I have not ordered them yet, but I am going to use these on my car:

Light-n-Bolts

[cgarr]

I used the bolt/light setup. its a little led inside the bolt, works pretty good.

[aus911]

I used LED lights which are built into the bolt heads used to hold the number plate on. They were advertised for a motor bike, found them on evilbay. I think they look good, and that is what matters to me.
These are similar, car isn't here now so can't post a picture now.

[Poor-sche Lover]

For those that are thinking about this, be aware that you will probably have to drill holes into your bumper. I guess you could find a way to set your license plate far enough off of the bumper, but the studs on lights are quite long. I had to feed the wires through the new holes to hide everything properly. Aso, you may have to rig something up to get the ends of the rubber strips to stay down. Every car is different, but I ended up using some epoxy to hold down the strips.

Something I did not anticipate was that it is a pain the butt if you have to change out your license plate.

This is not to discourage you. I love the look. I'm just not sure I, personally, will do it on my new car. Good luck with whatever you decide!

[lindy 911]

I used a license plate frame that has built in LEDs. It works great and looks very nice indeed.radiantz.com

[Porchcar guy]

Guys, thanks for the replies....I really want side lights to break up the large area where the bumperettes were. I plan to use epoxy/bolt to stick the rub strip ends to the bumper as I want to keep them intact....Geoff

[dw1]

Lots of ideas here:

The official modified bumpers thread!!!

A photo of my car is in there (on p. 7) - a black coupe with no bumperettes and with the black lamp housings on either side of the rear license plate.

I actually have a pair of license plate illumination lamp housings similar to those used on the car photo posted by "jhubs" in that thread that I can sell you for a very reasonable price. PM me if interested and I will provide details. (I decided to use the slightly smaller "rounded ones rather than the "squarish" ones, so I have them extra.)

[Porchcar guy]

Hey DW1 tried to send a PM ...no luck...must be stupid today...email me pics and price...I am interested ...Thanks ...Geoff

[Wil Ferch]

TRE sells the Hella originals.....as used for BMW 2002 and 320i's for their license plates.

Hella also makes a more clubby/squarish model today for a LOT less $$.....if historical accuracy is not important.

[will hung]

i replied to your other thread, but if using LED license plate bolts are not for you, you can always try this.

Pelican Parts - Product Information: 63-26-8-777-102-M9

If you search around, you'll see others using these lights. They are for a BMW 2002, but you can mount them on each side of the plate.

[Porchcar guy]

Guys, just found a HELLA black side lamp on Amazon for $13. Looks nice and will work very well. << Hella 003389061 3389 Series Black R10W Type License Plate Lamp >> Thanks for all the input. it is amazing how all of us are looking to customize our car to our preference.

[Wil Ferch]

I can't make the link , bit if it's in the $10-$13 range...its the newer squarish Hellas. Originals are hard to find and are depleting stocks rapidly....TRE has them for ( I think ) $89.... EACH.

[Wil Ferch]

Yep....

Amazon.com: Hella 003389061 3389 Series Black R10W Type License Plate Lamp

They are huge....like 4" high.... a bit clubby

[Wil Ferch]

You want something like from this Brit ad--->

Hella number plate lamp - Impact Bumpers

[Wil Ferch]

Hella from our host....chrome....which is pretty much all you can get if you want originality, although the plastic housing can be sanded and painted black--->

Pelican Parts - Product Information: 63-26-8-777-102-M9

[john walker's workshop]

those plastic hellas crush nicely. good luck.

[Porchcar guy]

here is the pic of the Hella late

[euro911sc]

I did not like the Lite'n Boltz... I tried them for a while, but in the end had to take them out as my plate had to move up for the center exit exhaust I got. I replaced them with 2 lights coming off the bumper on either side of plate when I went to a FG bumper. Very inexpensive:

Surface Mount License Plate and Utility light - eBay (item 140303152790 end time Apr-12-11 20:11:12 PDT)

I bought 5 for $10 and have 3 left over. I'll post up a pic of the results this eve.

I reviewed dozens of other lights and this was absolutely the best $ spent. compare vs. the $70+ BMW lamps and the choice is obvious.

-Michael

[Wil Ferch]

Euro911sc:
Certainly nice and cost effective.....but most here ( I would guess) don't want an external visible flange with 2 mounting holes on each lamp ass'ly.....