I did the AP2 front on mine and used a mounting kit. If I remove it nothing will show. But there would be 2 holes in places you cant see.

 

I'd post a picture of my "solution" to making the best out of a bad front plate situation (having to have one) but even though it's been field tested, I don't need the celebrity and I'm too lazy to blur the plate.

I REALLY don't like how a front license plate looks on an S2K. I don't like to attract unnecessary attention from law enforcement, either. Problem is California requires all vehicles with more than 2 wheels to display a front plate. Plus, "fix it" tickets in CA used to be resolved with just proof of correction. Now you need that PLUS you get to fork over a couple hundred bucks (LOTS more if its a 2nd, 3rd etc offense) for the court's trouble. My plate is on 90% of the time. Just the plate and two nylon screws, no bracket, no mount. But my plate is different.

What I did was VERY carefully cut it down, using a line I drew in the the stamp gutter as my guide. (Cuts off about 5/16" all the way around.) Then I carefully "rolled" the plate to direct the air down to the radiator and then drilled new holes below the state's so it fits higher up. (I use white nylon screws to match our state's white plates; you don't even see them from 10 feet.) Top of the plate is now just below (about 1/4") the edge of the top of the bumper: more air to the radiator and less "buck tooth" look from the front.

If you want to DIY, draw your line the way I did, use good quality, sharp metal shears and cut slowly, steadily to prevent warping the plate - neatness definitely counts. Sand the edges gently with 320-grit or finer. Now's when you bend it it: lay the plate finished side up on a "form" - a good sized, round object like a softball bat or piece of fence post, then gently, slowly bend/shape the plate on the form with your hands and body weight, (rubber mallet if you're experienced with such work) pressing toward the form. Go slowly so you don't crimp any of the letters or numbers or bend the left/right edges - the object is for the rounded plate to direct air flow down toward the radiator while conforming more to the shape of the bumper.

I've been ticketed by the CHP only once and the officer did do kind of a double take on the plate but he didn't say anything about it, just pointed out I was doing more than 30 mph over the posted limit and started writing. It's a good look and gets a lot of compliments from civilians.

 

I was nailed a couple of years ago for my 94 T-Bird (parked normally in a Wal Mart parking lot of all places). It has never had a front plate since new but always had a Navy commemoration plate instead. Anyway it was $20 without proof of correction, $10 with.

My S normally has no front plate. No problems in years. I do pretty much what you do but I use high grade magnets to make it easy to remove and add. I also cut down the plate size to what you would see in a legal "framed" plate. I am considering making a high quality copy of the plate, weatherproofing it but reducing its size a bit to fit.

 

That's known as counterfeiting license plates. At minimum a misdemeanor offense in some states.

 

Indeed. Glad I never went that far!

California:
4463.5. (a) No person shall manufacture or sell a decorative or
facsimile license plate of a size substantially similar to the
license plate issued by the department.
(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), the director may authorize
the manufacture and sale of decorative or facsimile license plates
for special events or media productions.
(c) A violation of this section is a misdemeanor punishable by a
fine of not less than five hundred dollars ($500).

I wonder how you might define: "of a size substantially similar" in a desire to make it smaller to some degree?

 

Omg, in NY if u look young they look for any reason to get up pulled over.

I got tickets for "no bulb on the back plate", anything on your mirror will have them whipping U-turns, and for u guys who love to not use your turn signal, they will literally come out from the bushes chasing u down for not using your turn signal.

All about the money for the CiTY/county.

 

Policemen know that vehicle traffic stops are fertile hunting grounds for folks with warrants or drugs or other illegal items in the car. No front license plate or a loud exhaust (or music) is an excellent excuse for them to stop you and see what they can find in plain view, by smell, or a warrant on you for something. None of us have any reason to fear these stops as they're merely an inconvenience, but every stop literally requires a ticket of some sort to justify it. I don't need the inconvenience and unashamedly display a front plate. Angled down a bit to (perhaps) not reflect a perfect laser target, but its there.

The "proper" plate will usually gain "professional courtesy" if stopped for something like speed. Speed? Me? This plate is on the front too:



The slight angle of the plate shows here -- as well as I'm the only car with one! Some are from Pennsylvania, but not all.



To give you an idea of the hassle of these stops a young woman who works for us missed two days of work last month. We found out she was in jail! Her major crime was not paying her fines for "no dog license and animal at large" infractions from a year or two ago. Seems her untaxed unlicensed dog got loose and caused some mischief. There was a $200 fine (or so) that she didn't bother to pay and the court issued a warrant for her arrest! She was stopped for a loud exhaust and, due to the warrant, went directly to jail! Don't forget to pay your tickets! There was some sort of happy ending (other than the free meals courtesy of the county): The judge credited her $100/day for the jail time which paid the fines.

-- Chuck

 

The laws in California are not actually so clear. The corvette does not come with a front plate mount in years passed.

If there is no amounting place for a front plate you can be waived of the requirement.

I wonder the profile of the drivers getting front plate tickets?

 

Over the years of driving my pretty bright Rio Yellow beast around, there have been many opportunities for LEO stop for the lack of a front plate: stop signs, at lights, stops, etc. I suspect my military auto registration decal may play a role in it as well as I really don't break many driving laws and make full stops at stop signs. Not in a rush and I enjoy the drive. City driving is not the place to let the fangs out.

The couple of times I have been stopped, in the S, they checked things out and wished me a good day w/o an infraction. I have never received a moving violation (that stuck) in this state since I got my license in 1972.

 

Hi, I am new to this car. Just put a deposit on a 2006 single owner 9,000 mile unicorn. I was looking for info about the bumper plugs and noticed your lip. It looks awesome. Not too much. What kind is it and where did you get it from if I may ask. TIA