Front License Plate Bracket

[apk919]

This being California, I thought I'd be prepared and find a way to mount my front plate. I don't expect to keep it attached all the time... just when I think I might need it (to/from autox, track events, etc).

It's made from a sheet of 10"x4"x0.064" aluminum, and attaches to the tow hook mount (I'm only using the plastic screw for demo purposes, I'll get a real bolt). Both the OEM plate frame and my bracket have white rubber weatherstripping tape on them to protect the car. The bottom of the plate is just slightly higher than the splitter, so it shouldn't get shocked if the splitter bottoms out. Also, it's bent so that if someone backs into it, it should bend harmlessly back into itself without damaging the clam (I hope). Plus, it's got a plastic cover over the plate that cracks when hit (hopefully, that noise will alert idiot drivers that they should stop backing up... it's worked on my M5).

It'll eventually be painted satin black. It's not a piece of art, but it should be functional.

I'm curious if anyone sees something stupid I've overlooked, and will regret... thanks in advance for your cooperation!

[PhoneBoy]

Front plates are required here too... mine is securely stored in the boot.

[yak52pilot]

Front plates are required here too... mine is securely stored in the net behind the seats. Asked my DMV guys, no lighter version of the plates yet.

[apk919]

Originally Posted by PhoneBoy

Front plates are required here too... mine is securely stored in the boot.

That's where mine is right now, and probably will be 99% of the time. I've never put a front plate on my Audi, but it doesn't draw nearly the same amount of attention from the local constabulary.

[knucklehead]

Just a heads up to anyone in the Glendale CA area. I received a $35 ticket for not having a front plate while my car was parked inside a parking structure (can you believe that?). I was parked with the front of my car facing out, so if you're not running with a plate and are in that area, park with your nose facing away from the traffic.

[AttAkker]

Nice work, looks functional. I am in CA and take a chance every day not having it on. I have the story tucked away in my head for the day I need it. "Officer, it's a verified issue with this manufacturer and they have been backordered for months. As soon as it arrives I will install it."

[blankdan]

Originally Posted by knucklehead

Just a heads up to anyone in the Glendale CA area. I received a $35 ticket for not having a front plate while my car was parked inside a parking structure (can you believe that?). I was parked with the front of my car facing out, so if you're not running with a plate and are in that area, park with your nose facing away from the traffic.

Last time I was in that area, they had signs in the parking lot that warned of fines for parking backwards in the space.

[Gizmo3000]

Originally Posted by knucklehead

Just a heads up to anyone in the Glendale CA area. I received a $35 ticket for not having a front plate while my car was parked inside a parking structure (can you believe that?). I was parked with the front of my car facing out, so if you're not running with a plate and are in that area, park with your nose facing away from the traffic.

Same with Hollywood/West Hollywood.

I lucked out the one time I took my Lotus there and parked in the street.
But got $40 tickets, while parked, there with both my MGB and my 300ZX,. - prior to the law coming into effect, I even got ticketed there once for not turning my wheels into the curb on a _slight_ incline! totally b.s. (but at least none required taking it in for a fix-it-ticket).

Nice looking bracket you've made.
I might do the same myself,
but also considering just getting the one they sell over at Blackwatch racing.
http://www.blackwatchracing.com/shop...etail&p=33&c=8

[apk919]

Originally Posted by Gizmo3000

Nice looking bracket you've made.
I might do the same myself,
but also considering just getting the one they sell over at Blackwatch racing.
http://www.blackwatchracing.com/shop...etail&p=33&c=8

Thanks! I haven't seen the Blackwatch mount in person, but it looks like the plate would be significantly lower than the splitter, and would definitely bottom frequently. Maybe the plate height is adjustable...

Material costs were < $10 ($4.99 for the plate, a couple of bucks for screws, nuts, washers and about 2 feet of weatherstripping tape). It took about an hour to make at a leisurely pace (measure twice, cut/drill once).

[Lotusmotion]

apk919, it looks very functional and would look nice in black. I bought BWR's bracket (plate height is adjustable) for my Exige so to not have to fabricate one, and it is essentially the same type of design.

Being in SoCal, I generally put it on for major holiday weekends (when cops are out in force), if I know there is a ticket campaign in process (happens a lot around LAX, and I live just south of it), and sometimes I'll leave it on for weeks.

I think the car looks odd with a plate on the front. However, my spare time is far to limited and valuable to fritter it away on a license plate fix-it ticket just to satisfy my vanity.

Be prepared to take heat and hear whining and dribble for being a Lotus non-conformist, idiot, clueless, dork, etc. and running with a front plate.

It is your time, money and stress and I say manage it accordingly.

[RegGuy]

Sorry to complain, but how many times are we going to talk about the front plate with "new" methods of mounting it followed by discussions of how mine are in the boot?

Search, Search, Search.

Also when I posted a REALLY nice license plate mount that I was going to mass produce, everyone whined about how it blocked air flow.

BTW, it doesn't have any negative effect on airflow and cooling of the engine that I have been able to tell.

[apk919]

Originally Posted by RegGuy

Sorry to complain, but how many times are we going to talk about the front plate with "new" methods of mounting it followed by discussions of how mine are in the boot?

Search, Search, Search.

Also when I posted a REALLY nice license plate mount that I was going to mass produce, everyone whined about how it blocked air flow.

BTW, it doesn't have any negative effect on airflow and cooling of the engine that I have been able to tell.

I did the search thing... I didn't see your post... maybe I just missed it. If you happen to still have the thread handy I'd still like to see it.

BTW, definitely not looking to mass produce, I was just looking for a few extra sets of eyeballs to check my work for stupidity. I'd rather be embarassed on LotusTalk than at the body shop.

[apk919]

Just to complete the thread... here's what it looks like finished and "road tested". If you need to run a front plate, and you've got a little time, it's not a bad way to go (if I do say so myself). Attach/detach in seconds with 6mm hex bit.

[mnsayer]

hey how can i get me one????

[Serebo1]

I just went to court on a FTA for not having a front plate. I didn't appear as I confused the court date for a speed citation, for which I took traffic school. Anyway, when I went to have the inspection done, I showed the sheriff Lotus' application for a front bumper exemption. He suggested that I keep it in the car with me, and were I to show it to an officer questioning me about the absence of a plate, I'd probably be let off the hook. No promises, mind you, but probably.

Regarding the FTA+no plate, the judge knocked the $800.00 bail down to the $10.00 fix-it and let me go. Whew.

Oh - I simply took the Lotus supplied front plate to a hardware store, had them drill a hole in the center, and bought an M8 bolt to fasten it to the tow hook mount. It came off after I left the courthouse. Also - very funny - after showing the Sheriff the front bumper exemption, and explaining that if I put the plate where it "belonged" it would be blocking the intake substantially, and if I put it lower, it would put me at risk for ripping off my clam...he said, (paraphrasing) "Yeah, and it looks like crap, too." I was like, "Ya, then there's that..."

[fredkto]

Originally Posted by Serebo1

I just went to court on a FTA for not having a front plate. I didn't appear as I confused the court date for a speed citation, for which I took traffic school. Anyway, when I went to have the inspection done, I showed the sheriff Lotus' application for a front bumper exemption. He suggested that I keep it in the car with me, and were I to show it to an officer questioning me about the absence of a plate, I'd probably be let off the hook. No promises, mind you, but probably.

Regarding the FTA+no plate, the judge knocked the $800.00 bail down to the $10.00 fix-it and let me go. Whew.

Oh - I simply took the Lotus supplied front plate to a hardware store, had them drill a hole in the center, and bought an M8 bolt to fasten it to the tow hook mount. It came off after I left the courthouse. Also - very funny - after showing the Sheriff the front bumper exemption, and explaining that if I put the plate where it "belonged" it would be blocking the intake substantially, and if I put it lower, it would put me at risk for ripping off my clam...he said, (paraphrasing) "Yeah, and it looks like crap, too." I was like, "Ya, then there's that..."

Serebo1,

Where can I get a copy of the Lotus front bumper exemption application?

Thanks for any help.

[apk919]

Originally Posted by mnsayer

hey how can i get me one????

I just made it out of a piece of sheet aluminum that I trimmed, painted, and backed with foam tape. Check the beginning of the thread... it's very easy to do. I use the Sector111 front tow hook to fasten it these days... you don't even need tools to take it on or off.

[knucklehead]

Originally Posted by Serebo1

I just went to court on a FTA for not having a front plate. I didn't appear as I confused the court date for a speed citation, for which I took traffic school. Anyway, when I went to have the inspection done, I showed the sheriff Lotus' application for a front bumper exemption. He suggested that I keep it in the car with me, and were I to show it to an officer questioning me about the absence of a plate, I'd probably be let off the hook. No promises, mind you, but probably.

Regarding the FTA+no plate, the judge knocked the $800.00 bail down to the $10.00 fix-it and let me go. Whew.

Oh - I simply took the Lotus supplied front plate to a hardware store, had them drill a hole in the center, and bought an M8 bolt to fasten it to the tow hook mount. It came off after I left the courthouse. Also - very funny - after showing the Sheriff the front bumper exemption, and explaining that if I put the plate where it "belonged" it would be blocking the intake substantially, and if I put it lower, it would put me at risk for ripping off my clam...he said, (paraphrasing) "Yeah, and it looks like crap, too." I was like, "Ya, then there's that..."

Alan, could you post a PDF if the exemption document. I've already gotten five of those damn tickets.

[Gizmo3000]

Originally Posted by knucklehead

Alan, could you post a PDF if the exemption document. I've already gotten five of those damn tickets.

I'd like one as well! (not sure if it'll thwart the Hollywood parking patrol who cited me with my other cars, which I've since installed front plates on just to avoid the $40 fines)

where'd you get the form to begin with?

[Mr. Know]

I just received my Euro style plate from fancyplates.com which I'm going to run on the front. I'll take a pic of it installed soon as I get around to it. It actually looks quite nice.