Private plates on R500 - too obvious?

[mattmurdock]

To be honest I have never been a fan of private plates (my dad has a couple on his cars and I have never really understood why).

However, now that I have an R500 on order, I seem to be faltering as I feel a special car may be deserving of a special number plate.

I see that a number of R500s belonging to people on the forum have private plates, just wondering if anyone who has one chose it because they like private plates, or specifically because of the fact it was an R500 (or R400 or R300)?

[jleroux]

best advantage of a (short) private plate on a seven is that you can fit a stick-on plate on the nosecone rather than having to have a traditional full-size plate mounted underneath the grill.

[2slo]

jleroux said:

best advantage of a (short) private plate on a seven is that you can fit a stick-on plate on the nosecone rather than having to have a traditional full-size plate mounted underneath the grill.

Which looks better, helps aerodynamics and is not susceptable to being cracked or broken, but sadly isn't legal. You pays your money...

Mark.

[jleroux]

2slo said:

sadly isn't legal

Never had a problem with any of my cars with stick-on plates - dating back over 10 years (possible exception of the odd MOT). even had a couple of arguments with coppers which I walked away from without penalty.

For a low sportscar, there's a solid argument that the plate gets lost on speed humps too regularly to be practical. if you're that worried, keep an old/damaged plate in the boot for "evidence" if you ever get stopped. i'd be willing to bet that you'd never get clobbered (assuming that, if stopped, you approach the rozzer with the right attitude).

Jonny
BaT

[mattmurdock]

Hadn't really thought about the advantage of shorter private plates and stick on numberplates.

However, I see from the nose canards topic that having a normal plate and angling it backwards can help reduce front end lift , so I probably want a really long private plate...

[2slo]

jleroux said:

2slo said:

sadly isn't legal

Never had a problem with any of my cars with stick-on plates - dating back over 10 years (possible exception of the odd MOT). even had a couple of arguments with coppers which I walked away from without penalty.

For a low sportscar, there's a solid argument that the plate gets lost on speed humps too regularly to be practical. if you're that worried, keep an old/damaged plate in the boot for "evidence" if you ever get stopped. i'd be willing to bet that you'd never get clobbered (assuming that, if stopped, you approach the rozzer with the right attitude).

Jonny
BaT

Just my opinion based on 2 'discussions' I've had in the past about numberplates on other cars I've owned. I'm pleased to hear you walked away without any paperwork, I did as well. I agree it often comes down to how you speak to whomever stops you. They may well know a lot less than you or I about the subject, but I've found that by not making that point obvious you are much more likely to avoid the pen coming out! I well recall getting advice about a rear numberplate on my Morgan plus 8 which was fitted tucked under the rear bumper and might not have been visible to Gatso cameras!Shame really.

There are, sadly, some Police Officers who are more concerned with detecting minor offences with things like numberplates than they are with detecting crime.

Back to the OP's original question, I've bought a private plate for my R400 in advance of it coming next year. Just a cheap one from the DVLA, but 7 related. I've bought it because I think it will look good, nothing more than that.

Mark.

Edited by 2slo on Tuesday 26th October 12:37

Edited by 2slo on Tuesday 26th October 12:39

[mattmurdock]

Thanks 2slo, my R500 SV is also arriving next year, so I have plenty of time to make my mind up on the plate

When you say seven related, I presume you mean it doesn't have R400 on it? I guess that is the crux of my issue - I would like to avoid putting my initials or name on it as IMHO that is a bit too self-promotional or extrovert, but a boring 11 plate seems, well, too boring for the car.

Hence thinking about R500 plus some letters, which dependent on the letters can be had for a reasonable price from the DVLA. However, then it seems to me the R500 piece itself is a bit too obvious and extrovert.

Of course, I guess the car itself could be described as extrovert, so maybe that is why I think I need a private plate.

Seem to be arguing with myself now...guess I need to give this some more thought.

[Some Gump]

Matt,

There is always the theory that private plates are easier to read, so more likely to get reported for "driving like a nutter".
Our 7 is reasonably loud. I often get stared at by lentil folk in villages as if I'm racing through, despite the fact I'm doing closer to 25 than 30 at the time.

Another option would be to get an R300 xxx plate, debadge and go to a track day - then strut around like you're the stig, getting those lap times out of a lowly R300 =)

[2slo]

mattmurdock said:

When you say seven related, I presume you mean it doesn't have R400 on it?
I guess that is the crux of my issue - I would like to avoid putting my initials or name on it as IMHO that is a bit too self-promotional or extrovert, but a boring 11 plate seems, well, too boring for the car.

agreed, I've bought UF07 FLY. It didn't cost a lot but I think it will look good on the car and it shouldn't attract any unwanted attention from the BiB.

Mark.

[mattmurdock]

Some Gump said:

Matt,

There is always the theory that private plates are easier to read, so more likely to get reported for "driving like a nutter".
Our 7 is reasonably loud. I often get stared at by lentil folk in villages as if I'm racing through, despite the fact I'm doing closer to 25 than 30 at the time.

Another option would be to get an R300 xxx plate, debadge and go to a track day - then strut around like you're the stig, getting those lap times out of a lowly R300 =)

I like the idea, but I think the sequential box and throttle bodies may give the game away slightly

[GetCarter]

I had R500.COM (because I had R500.com)

I now have \/ because it is.

[mattmurdock]

Yeah, had seen photos of your car on other threads, very nice and a similar colour scheme to my order - guess based on the roads you go out on there are few police to give you any issues with the spacing on the plate

Think I might follow Mark and your route and get something that is 7 or speed related but doesn't include R500, time to start browsing registration sites...

Edited by mattmurdock on Tuesday 26th October 18:18

[EFA]

Best ever R500 number plate was the one I used to sport on my tow car......

Edited by EFA on Tuesday 26th October 19:17

[Laurence7]

I like the idea of a stick-on plate (and a damaged plate in the boot for 'evidence' )

Presumably a stick-on front plate still needs to have black letters/numbers on a reflective white background. Where can I buy such?

[BertBert]

try www.craigsplates.com Laurence.
Bert

[Tango7]

mattmurdock said:

However, I see from the nose canards topic that having a normal plate and angling it backwards can help reduce front end lift , so I probably want a really long private plate...

Or what about angling it forwards to create a splitter. I have seen this on one or two sprint cars and its meant to have improved downforce

[mickrick]

A normal sized plate does indeed reduce lift. Doesn't have to be angled.
Thats why the chin spioler in the link below was added to the CSR.
Fortunately, it's a great addition to help secure the plate.

https://www.caterhamparts.co.uk/product_info.php?c...

As an aside, I used the plastic 3M Velcro type stuff to attach my plate, and it never moved, or never gave me problems over speed bumps.

[Laurence7]

BertBert said:

try www.craigsplates.com Laurence.
Bert

Thanks Bert - I'll give 'em a try

[Steve Campbell]

I have R400 SLO....because that's what the car had when I bought it 2nd hand...wasn't particularly looking for one. Most non - car enthusiasts miss the connection as they don't know what the car is anyway...and for those that do I tell them the first bit describes the car, the 2nd the driver

I see R500 NOB is available

In the end ..personal choice...I wouldn't go out of the way to get something but then if you are investing in an R500...as you say...a good numberplate for a few $ more sort of goes with the car.....

Edited by Steve Campbell on Thursday 28th October 13:41

[mattmurdock]

Hmmm, R500 NOB...how can I resist

For reasons I can't possibly fathom SWMBO seems to think getting a private plate is a silly idea. I think I will look at a middle ground of getting something a little more subtle than R500 XXX, like VR11 FST or similar.

11 plates aren't available to buy until December, so will take a look then and see how much they are.

Matt