Front licence plate??

[craig-ultima]

My state requires the front licence plate to be displayed. I don't like the way it looks when slapped on the front of the car in the center.

It looks much better when its mounted vertically right down at ground level. Obviously placing it in the center would block the radiator air flow, but I was thinking of mounting it off to the side. This looks like it would block the smaller side grill a bit. Would this cause problems for the brakes?

Any other ideas before I take the drill to the body work??

[BigAl1]

How about hanging it on a hinge in the air intake for the radiator, so when moving the airflow pushes it back, but when stopped it displays properly? I have seen this done on Cobras, with some velcro added to the back so it can be held up during car shows.

Allan

[mkoch1]

My state also requires a front plate also. I had a GB style plate stamped to match my state issued plate. www.europlates.com



I am sure it's not legal but most cops would probably let it fly. I got stopped this past weekend by a cop who really just wanted to look at the car. His reason for pulling me over was no front plate. When I pointed out the front plate matches the rear we let me go. He said he wasn't sure what the law was regarding that and didn't want to give me a ticket I didn't deserve.

Mark

[usagtrman]

Craig:

Illinois requires a front plate as well but it's not enforced very often. I plan on keeping the front plate and a broken plate mount in the luggage pod so I can always plead it just came off. I like Big Als idea too......but think I'll try to get away without one. I didn't have one on numerous cars in the past and never got stopped.


Brad Z

[GTRene]

Stupid front plates! I hate them, because on some cars they block cooling wind for the engine! or spoil the nice roundings of a car, or holds a lot of CW drag(wind) because they are not windtunnel optimized...we don't want that! and why only cars have them? moto-bikers only need a back plate, and they are road users too! a plate on the back does not hurt...
A small sellution is to put a sticker like plate on the front when you have to, but those are not aloud, but you don't harm anyone whit them...

René

>> Edited by GTRene on Tuesday 30th August 08:19

[craig-ultima]

Thanks all - Brad, I like your suggestion the best, although Al's has a nice James Bond style to it.

I need to practice "I'm sorry officer, stuff falls of this junker all the time". Maybe if I can say that with a straight face, I'll get by...

(BTW: Speaking of James Bond, my wife keeps asking me which button to press to make the missile launcher to pop up. Didn't I just marry the perfect woman? "Hi honey, I took your suggestion on board and went to the army surplus this morning... it's this button right here..."

[stig]

Car's looking good Mark!

But is it my imagination or are the front/rear clips a different colour from the cockpit and sidespods !?!?!

[mkoch1]

The center section has been painted the front and rear are still just the gel coat. Painter wanted to cut in all the pieces that couldn't be removed from the car.

mark

[stig]

mkoch1 said:

The center section has been painted the front and rear are still just the gel coat. Painter wanted to cut in all the pieces that couldn't be removed from the car. mark

That explains it! Looks as if we've both got almost the same colour pearl blue! Good choice I had the whole lot done off the car. have to be careful now when refitting, but I wanted all the 'hidden' bits to be done too as mine was a complete colour change (red to blue) and would have looked very weird otherwise.

[craig-ultima]

Okay, I ended up putting the plate on, but in the front corner. It looks quite okay. Description of the bracket I made at www.craig-ultima.com if you are interested in the details.

[GTRene]

euhm....can't you do the front number plate like the one you see when stig reacts? on the blue car? on front maybe a sticker plate?
The mitsu evo also have the number plate like you did, and euhm...I don't like it, infact I don't like a number plate on front at all...but when you have too then a sticker plate and not to big...

[steve_D]

Sorry don't like that at all.
I don't like having to put it on top of the nose but it would look better there.

Steve

[GTRene]

steve_D said:

Sorry don't like that at all. I don't like having to put it on top of the nose but it would look better there. Steve

Yep, I think this is best when you have too

www.ultimasports.co.uk/gtr/pics/gtr63.jpg

or

www.ultimasports.co.uk/gtr/pics/gtr62.jpg

and its in red already

have some fine rides in your Ultima GTR
René

[craig-ultima]

Well, that's three big thumbs down! Its actually not quite as visible since this photo is of the corner.

Good news is I can easily remove it since there are three rivnuts holding it on and they are not visible.

I ran into a guy who does vinyl car decor for street car racing. I might see if I can get something printed up. I've decided that under no circumstances am I going to drill into the visible body work.

[steve_D]

craig-ultima said:

.........I've decided that under no circumstances am I going to drill into the visible body work.

Craig
You may not be aware that most of the UK number plates you see in the photos are 1/8" thick plastic and are held on with double sided adhesive foam pads. Some have opted for a vinyl version which is not actually legal but goes some way to complying with the rules.

Steve

[GTRene]

steve_D said:

craig-ultima said: .........I've decided that under no circumstances am I going to drill into the visible body work. Craig You may not be aware that most of the UK number plates you see in the photos are 1/8" thick plastic and are held on with double sided adhesive foam pads. Some have opted for a vinyl version which is not actually legal but goes some way to complying with the rules. Steve

Yep, I also mean those vinyl? here in the Netherlands you call those sticker plate, you stick them on the front and ready! no holes or damage! look at the link of a Donkervoort car dealer in the Netherlands, he sel those for 30,-euro ex tax and send cost, its not complete legal but most cops understand, and when the rest of your driving and car is oké, your oké!

Take the netherlands flag! because English is not complete
www.autoalbers.nl/
(look under "Kentekenplaatjes" )
They can make those in anny size you like...and he also sold 3 Ultima's, sadly those went out of the country!
René


>> Edited by GTRene on Wednesday 7th September 09:39

[craig-ultima]

OK - cool.

I did manage to get my car to Chicago and no one noticed the front plate (or maybe they were just being polite ).

I have a bunch more little fixes to do, but thanks for the info on the plastic and double-sided tape setup.

[builder]

craig-ultima said:

OK - cool. I did manage to get my car to Chicago and no one noticed the front plate (or maybe they were just being polite ). I have a bunch more little fixes to do, but thanks for the info on the plastic and double-sided tape setup.

Craig, I noticed and commented that I thought it looked quite all right. Better there than over the rad opening. I am working on a rubber hinge for mine. We'll see how it goes...

-- Scott

[Hugger Z]

Craig,
I think your front plate looked fine as well. It was not blocking the air intake for the radiator and did not seem out of place where you positioned it. I'd say leave it alone for now. The car looks great!

[davejw]

Just out of interest for the UK guys, did you know that not having a front number plate will probably get you a £30 fine? It's a non-endorsable offence as I understand it, and I know a couple of people who keep a plate in the boot (not Ultima owners) for that "it fell off earlier officer" moment...

Stickers are the way forward if you have to go that way, but it still bugs me everytime I go through a forward facing speed camera that bikes can scream through without any possibility of being traced....

Dave