The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk 55.2 - 59 License Plate Bracket Question

I did a search and didn't find anything on the subject:

I have a "plain Jane" '58 with painted front and rear bumpers. The rear license plate is not displayed very well- it is behind the rear bumper and (I think) bolts to the structure under the tailgate. I don't think this is stock. What is the stock mount for license plates? Do they bolt directly to the bumper? Can anyone direct me to a picture of what it is supposed to look like? Might as well throw in advice for the front while you're at it.

Bill

I don't know if that is stock, but it is how my plate attaches on my 1955 2nd series. My bumper is a step style, and lowers in the vicinity of the plate. It is easy to read.

I think you might have the wrong bumper. It should have a dip in the center for a step which also allow the plate to be viewed. Brian

as said, you prolly have the wrong bumper on back - should look like this , or the plate may be mounted too low - the front plate [factory] is on a bracket that bolts to the center of the bumper

Bill

Looking at your picture it appears you may have a front bumper on the front and rear.
Jeff

hey Jeff, yer spot on there - I hadn't looked, but that's exactly what Bill has - the rear bumper is the same as the front on the panel/burb, with the same long curve, but the stepside rear is [aside from the step] quite straight

Bill

I don't know if that is stock, but it is how my plate attaches on my 1955 2nd series. My bumper is a step style, and lowers in the vicinity of the plate. It is easy to read.

Bill,

Be pleased to help you out once you get the correct rear bumber! I do need an original front bumper for my 58.

Once you get the correct bumper, there are plenty of repop license plate holders out there, which incidentally, bolt to the reaf framing of the bed. I got mine from what was once Chevy Duty, but they all seem to ship with a 6 volt bulb, so you will need to change it out.

Going to NOLA in April, I will give you a status report when I return.

mine is mounted to the bed. click to enlarge.

[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/Avette4me/My%2058/th_BPhitch.jpg[/img]

hope it helps...

Thanks, guys. I had a sneaking suspicion is was going to be something close, but (as always) not quite right. Luckily, I have a swap meet next month, and I hope to get the right one there or from a fella nearby who parts out my series. No wonder I can't see the plate, since I don't have the dip. I'm a little worried about the brackets. It seems too simple that the front and rear bumpers would share the same hole pattern. I bet I'm going to need to do a little bracket work to get the correct rear bumper onto the frame.

Richard- I'll put your name on it. Tell me what it is worth to you. It has no value to me once I get the right one. And thanks for the NOLA info. It is always interesting (notice I didn't write "enjoyable"!) to read/hear/see what's happening. Jazz Fest by any chance? It will be the last week of April and first week of May.

Bill- I haven't yet updated my under hood picture, but I now have a REAL air cleaner and replaced the pie plate. It became a priority to me once you pointed out what I had!

Thanks again, experts. I appreciate all your inputs.

Bill

Bill, I hear ya on the brackets-your bumper now looks a little close to the body. Might pick up brackets w/the bumper if possible. Brian