Many of us on the Ohio S2k Community forum have been discussing the recent crack-down of law enforcement on those of us running w/out front license plates (by law, registered Ohio vehicles are required to have both front and rear license plates).

Outside of simply drilling into the front bumper and mouting the factory-supplied license plate braket, what alternatives are there?

TIA.

Related Ohio Community Thread

 

Here is an option. Click the pic for a link

 

i modded an evo front plate holder to look like the jdm, off to the side look on my 240, no pics.....

 

i suppose one can secure a dark-tint plate holder inside the radiator opening. It will definitely restrict airflow, but it may look semi-invisible.

 

I got this one. Love it.

 

Someone made a hinged one that would fold in at speed (maybe greater than 35 MPH) to allow air into the radiator. I know nothing more.

 

Rick's (backyard jdm) is the only reasonable, legal option. In NJ, the plate has to be a certain height above the ground, like 12". If the plate is in the grill area, it is too low and you could get a ticket.

Years ago I failed inspection with my CJ7 because my front plate was zip tied to the front bumper. I had to bolt it on. So, look at your state's laws closely to be sure you are legal.

 

From my previous life in Miata Land, but should be adaptable to the S...

http://www.teammiata.com/TM305.htm

 

First off, one of the few bonuses to living in TN is the lack of a law requiring a front license plate.

That being said, I checked out the miata link above. Looks like a great idea, and perhaps someone could make a plate holder that would bolt to the bolts that attach the splashguard to the underside of the bumper? But the miata looks like your country-bumpkin cousin with buck-teeth with this thing:

 

Why do you need to "drill into the front bumper"? If you have the original front bumper from Honda, it comes with screw holes for mounting the front plate. Are you talking about after-market front bumpers?

As far as I know, these are the only options:
1) Don't mount a front plate and take your chances.
2) Mount the front plate at the place designed by Honda, using various mounting brackets (including ones from Honda dealers, Rick's, and others).
3) Mount the front plate inside the grill area (either straight up, bent, shaved, or hinged, like the Miata link above).
4) Mount the front plate to the side of the front bumper, covering up one of the fake air intake vents (many Japanese owners do this).