The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk front license plate

How are you guys mounting your front license plate? I seen Jim Carter has a holder that is suppose to attach to factory holes on the front rock guard behind the bumper but mine does not have any holes.

Thanks
Corey

I have a drill that would take care of that in short order.

I thought about that but really didn't want to drill through my pretty chrome. You know that's the first place the rust will start. That's why I'm looking for alternatives.

Someone (PO or factory) previously drilled a hole in my '48s bumper and put a chrome-capped bolt through it for the plate holder. Granted my '48 is pretty beat up and corroded now but a hole in the bumper can be made to look good. You might not want your plate that high in front of the grill.

My price list for 1948 cars and trucks shows a pair of license plate frames for $2.65. It doesn't say if that's for a truck or car or both. I had a '51 Chevy car but don't have pics of the front plate, just the rear.

Mine has always set low on the driver's side of the grille. It used a bracket I made about 50 years ago...attaches between the bumper and the bumper support and is held in place by the bumper bolt. Very easy to make, but use at least 3/16 inch thick metal or the wind will bend it. I've also seen these mounted right in front of the bumper (in the middle---there is a hole there already) so the plate doesn't catch too much wind. The wind isn't a problem if you just putter around town, though.

Mine was purchased with the plate in the original spot but I did not want to block the grill so I put a bracket on the front bumper

I driven my 55.2 for the last 15 years without a front plate, and have never been stopped for not having it.

Some states require two plates, and some don't. It isn't high on the list of offenses to stop someone though.

If you're concerned about rust on holes drilled in a chrome apron, just put some RTV in the hole before installing the screws in the holes. Wipe it off close to the screws before it sets and it'll last for years.

Interesting! The Factory Assembly Manual shows the filler panel (3701226) for a 1954-55 without dimension and location for the license plate bracket (3705102). I guess you had to drill your own? Another issue is that if you want fog lights, the passenger side would cover the plate so the plate should be mounted in the middle?

Factory 49 plate in factory spot on the factory mount.

I think I like the center mount on the fender....except when I have to push a F**d to get it off the road.

I second the opinion to run the truck w/o the front plate. Put it in your glove box for if/when somebody in a uniform asks about it and play the antique vehicle card. "Yes sir, it's right here -- I just haven't figured out how to mount it yet ..." Most states have exceptions for things that weren't original to the truck -- like turn indicators, seatbelts, etc. Here in Maryland, my '49 is not required to have a front license plate. So you might want to check your state's provisions for antique/historic vehicle registration to see if you can opt out.

In both NY and NC :
- new plates : you must display both plates
- historic / year of truck plate/plates : you must display as required in your truck’s year

In NC you are issued two new plates. If you do not display them, and if you display year of manufacture plate/plates, you must carry the new plates in your cab and display them to police if you are stopped. There is no limitation on type of travel. You do not need to get annual inspections.

In NY you do not get new plates - you get a antique/historic vehicular registration. I think there were limitations on “type of travel”. You must get annual inspections.

Your state DMV should be able to tell you the rules. They might be on the DMV’s website.

Please correct me if I wrong about NY and/or NC.

In NY you have a choice of regular plates, “Historical” issued plates or “Vintage” plates. Both Historical and vintage plates have travel restrictions, mileage, to and from events, occasional jaunt, etc. Regular plates have no restrictions but also come with much higher insurance premiums. In most cases you are required to run two plates but there is an exception. In some years (wartime for one), only one plate was issued so in those cases only one vintage plate is required.

As Tim has stated, you must get annual inspections.

Thanks, Phil
Here is info on vehicle inspections for USA states.

The filler panel I have is different on the right side where the license plate bracket goes. The raised area is smaller and has the holes for the bracket. I drug it and the front bumper out of a wrecking yard in Nebraska, and I believe it to be original. It was found with the bracket bolted to it.

Mine is in the same spot as Kevin’s. I’m quite sure it’s factory.

In Indiana we still don't have a front plate.

Was the filler standard or optional at extra cost? I couldn't find it in my lists of optional stuff but maybe some plates were located in the middle.

My friend got a ticket for not having a front plate. He had been doing some touch up work on the front of his car and the plate was temporarily lying on the back seat. This was a few years ago. Now we have so many vehicles driving around with Alberta plates here, I don't think the cops bother. (Alberta vehicles do not have front plates)

The filler was standard equipment. Not sure if the plate brackets were factory or dealer installed, as most front plates holders are now. The FAM does show the plate bracket, but it’s for a ‘54.

The bracket for a 47-53 AD is offset. I presume it was done that way to fit the filler panel. Look at the picture and you’ll see what I mean. I have never seen a plate mounted in the center, always offset but I have been wrong before.

On the GMC truck site there is a similar discussion and the consensus is offset as described here and angled to the right for some reason. Not parallel to the grill but angled to the right say 15 degrees give or take.

Here’s a couple pics of my front plate mounted. Looks similar to what Phak1 is showing.

Thank you to everyone for there input on this. You guys a great.

So this is what I found for the state of Iowa. Wonder why they made the cutoff 1948? Guess my 49 resembles a 48 so I'm going with that!


Registration plates issued for a motor vehicle which is model year 1948 or older, and
reconstructed or specially constructed vehicles built to resemble a model year 1948 vehicle
or older, other than a truck registered for more than five tons, autocycle, motorcycle, or truck
tractor, may display one registration plate on the rear of the vehicle if the other registration
plate issued to the vehicle is carried in the vehicle at all times when the vehicle is operated
on a public highway

I'm confused. This post started out with technical questions on mounting of the front plate, yet it keeps bouncing back to the legalities of having a front plate.

It’s extremely hard to keep folks on topic. Such is the nature of the beast.

Like so many other online discussions, someone asks the best way to do A, and replies include doing B and C...

Mine is mounted the same way as Phak1 and cmayna:
https://media.fotki.com/2v2H55QcgxDubp.jpg

I put the topper on the front since there's not room for it under the taillight in the back.