Front License Plate Frame...... or NOT
 

Fellas..... need some opinions on something really SILLY... I know, I get it. this thread is just a time out, time killer... NOTHING serious.

BUT....

I'm a bit bored and thought I'd start a thread.

I recently has my front bumper and valance refurbished, ended up buying new license plate mounting hardware.

At 1st I mounted the plate WITHOUT a frame, then I ended up finding a good deal on a chrome frame that matched the rear license plate frame, so I bought it.

After doing some mounting gymnastics I got it mounted clean.

I debated mounting the frame for a couple of weeks because I didn't think I would like it....then I had some unexpected expected free time, so I mounted it.... and I like it.

What do you guys think ?

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1717435459.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1717435459.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1717435459.jpg

Not bad at all, better with than without

Whew.... ok at least one.... thanks Tobra.

(shrugging) Both look okay to me. I'd say go with whichever you prefer.

I agree with Paul, whichever you prefer.

Are those still the stock headlights?

Looks good. Personally, I would paint the frames black, but that's just me.

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I know... I know... pretty low on the decision totem pole, I get it...... just having some lighthearted banter is all.

911boost..... yes... my lights are stock 50 year old headlights..... nothing fancy at all.

When I had my '86 the PO had done the H4 conversion, I think that is what it was. They were a decent upgrade and as I get older I probably would really need them now....

I would keep the chrome. I have one of those fancy front plate holders for my 997 that go in the tow hook hole, but I have not had it on since about 2018.

if you dont have to run a front plate, i wouldnt. hell, i have to run a front plate on some cars, and i still dont.

just dont get a parking ticket, thats how they get you on the front plate.

Car is clean, looks cleaner without chrome frame. My vote is without or a black frame like was mentioned.



CTopher

thanks for chiming in guys..... interesting though.... pretty wide array of preferences, i didn't really expect that......

I already got cited for the front plate..... Fucher's got me on record so I'd rather not take a chance and mount it... I'd rather not but that ship has sailed.

Those frames, both front and rear, look like they're missing advertising.
Try to find some that have the same width to the frame all the way around.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1717442959.JPG
Something like this or similar.

Last time I got a fix-it ticket for no front plate, I zip tied it on (so they wouldn't show) and cut them off as soon as I got home from the CHP.

Now it safely resides in the pouch behind the driver's seat, and I set it on the dashboard if I think I might need one.

It is a much cleaner look without the plate and, with a great personalized plate like yours, it is easy to just say that it was stolen (if the subject ever comes up).

Somebody also makes a front plate holder that retracts underneath the bumper and you can display it when parked.

Black car with a black plate. . . why not a black frame? I get the minimalist ones off amazon for my cars. They're subtle, but look more finished than with no frame.

wow...... wasn't prepared for all the insights........ a lot of really great ideas, but.... I'm ok with where I am.... either on with what I have or OFF.

I really like the idea of a black frame, leaving it off until needed....BUT that waaayyyy more involved than I am willing to go.

Scott... we might just be on opposite ends on the advertising..... I specifically like the clean non advertising blank look, and intentionally left it clean. I know I'm in the minority on that one....... (up until a few months ago, I had a bra on my car for 30 years...... I'm ok with being on the non conventional side of the ledger) I also understand the advertising angle..... just not for me is all. :)

Fortunately, Oklahoma has no front tag requirement. On one of my trips to California, I was getting gas and a motorcycle cop pulled in to go inside to the store. He looked at my car from the front and saw no front tag. He pulled out his ticket book, and walked to the back. He saw the Oklahoma tag, and put away his ticket book and walked inside. I had to suppress the urge to point and say nanny nanny boo boo or some other dumb thing. I just smiled and filled up, and left.

And personally I would go with a black frame front and rear.

I use really thin black frames.

Dang it...... I should have kept my pie-hole shut...... I'm kind liking the black frame idea.....

I intend to paint a licence plate frame the same color as the car. Less is better. In fact my car would look great driving around with no licence plate at all.

Only reason I said they looked like they're missing advertising is because they aren't the same width all the way around the plate.
Thick on top or bottom and skinny sides just don't cut it for me, and I hate advertising too.

ooohhhh ok ok.... we aren't that far off after all....... :)

The size of the top and bottom doesn't bother me at all....... :)

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1717448201.JPG
This is the clean look I put on my daughter's Suburban before it got shipped back east.

The same width all the way around is the way to go, IMO.

I saw that earlier...... That's why I was thinking I should have kept me mouth shut..... I do like the black....... Dang it..

I made this one from a dealer frame for my Honda. Sometimes you have to get inventive.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1717448800.jpg

PEP Boys used to sell a really cheap plastic black frame for like $4 or so. Nothing fancy at all, but it kept its color, wouldn't rust and looked nice all the time. Couldn't find 'em when I last looked for one when shopping for the one on the 'burb.
That one is pretty cool as it's made out of silicon so shouldn't deteriorate at all, ever.

Ya I remember those.. I had one on my X5 a while ago.... yup $4 bones.

Ok...... gonna stop thinking about doing ANYTHING to those dang plates. It stays the way it is.

I must be a minimalist or cheap, as I like the 911 without a frame. That said, I have a license plate frame on my F150, that has a row of LED lights at the top. They come on in reverse. Makes a huge difference in my truck when using the back up camera at night.

In the late 70s, my TR6 rear license plate frame said, No Fat Chicks. I got a lot of laughs, but one time in stop and go traffic, I had a carload of big girls behind me. They weren’t happy and they let me know I was number one! 😂

I took it off soon after and never used it again, because I was afraid somebody would keep my car, etc. but still have it, for the memories.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1717463167.jpg

a930rocket...... wow that's a fancy plate holder....... not so much of a minimalist after all ! that badboy requires spending some $$, wiring, maintenance, bulbs....... hahaha im just busting your chops.... but that is a nice one and cool idea.

i remember those "no fat chicks" frames....... imagine how well those would go in today's day and age! you would be cancelled for fat shaming poultry as they would miss the whole point !

Black license plate should get a black frame- especially on a black car. Or no frame at all. You know in CA you can now order an exact duplicate of your license plate in a vinyl decal, approved by DMV, for the front of your car....I think it is about $110. :)

Cairo94507......... I've never heard of the vinyl decal before......

Do you have a picture to share? That sounds pretty interesting.......

Is the ideal to not have to drill a hole in the front of the car to mount to aluminum plate ?

Never heard of it or seen one.

No frame or black frame, not chrome frame!!!

My rear license plate is a bikini style, no room for advertisement, and colored to match or at least 'go with' the car color. Front plates are required in WA St but any kind will do. So mine are plain black with the Porsche crest in the center. No frame.

My H4s have 100W high beams (with relays). Turns night time into day. Seriously. Mile-long visibility.

I use the thin chrome frames that the bolting flange goes behind the plate autozone has them for like 12 bucks they look alot cleaner

It's me too! I would like it in black.

Here you go. Also, my brother just received one for his 991 TTS in the event he needs to install a front plate.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1717680341.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1717680360.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1717680378.jpg

^^^ I think that looks much worse than a real front plate.

I prefer unobtrusive license plate frames, or none at all. The decal option is very interesting, especially if it can be ordered in black for a dark colored car.

Stupid me Tricks:

In South Carolina getting residency, truck registered, water, power, etc at the house.

So, get the plates and the paper work in a sleeve, get back to my sisters place where the tools are. I am the only one there. I get the new SC plates out but I can only find one.

I start looking every where, zippy. I call the DMV and ask them what I should do.

"Uh, Sir, we only issue one plate...SC has no front plate requirement..."

There's your sign.