Dropping front plate?

[sparky11]

Hi Guys,

With the arrival of some 'warmer' weather i'm wondering if dropping the number plate down under the grill will increase the airflow through the rad?

Currently the number plate (standard size) is slap-bang in the middle of th mesh - I also think they look better with the plates hanging low, as it opens the front of the car up a bit.

Anyone have any idea how this is done, i've done a search and found some pics but no details on how to do it! I don't particularly want to go drilling into any bodywork - I read somewhere you can use a Volvo bracket?

As always, any help mucho appreciated.

Mark

PS: Great, aren't they? :)

[loo p]

Hi Mark
I did this and used a threaded insert that I drilled then riveted into the bodywork. I think self tapping screws will be too weak.

The benefits include as you say increased airflow, better looks and also saves stone chips on a vulnerable part of the bodywork.

[mark tvr-loud]

Mark,

Modified mine early last year and made a huge difference to the temperature whilst on the move. Biggest change was found after being in traffic when the temp creeps up, used to take forever to drop back down but now once moving comes down very quickly.

Looked at all the different suggestions on how to change the plate position, in the end had another plate made up, normal font size and spacing etc and then cut the borders down to make a smaller plate. Two self-tapping screws and its been there ever since!
Mark.

[trinitycall]

mine's dropped down... pic on profile. not sure as to the exact benefit in terms of temp reduction, however, it seems sensible not to have anything that blocks airflow.

[parrot of doom]

Mine is also dropped down - held on by two L-shaped pieces of metal that are attached to the bodywork.

[hughesie2]

Self tapper on mine too, good at 1.5 leptons too, havent lost a plate yet hofficer

[v8nrg]

I just took mine off in the warm weather, and havent botherd puting it back on yet.

My temprature is now about 5 Degrees C cooler in all conditions.

Hasnt caused any problems with BIB so far and i park it directly outside a PCs house.

[sparky11]

Cheers guys - looks like quite an easy job then!

Trinity, yeah that looks much better than what I have at the moment. I might try and get a 'slimmer' plate.

Anything I should be aware of when self-tappering the GRP?

Cheers

Mark

[Colin L]

Done it years ago, lower the plate and get a special one made half the size its far better looking.

Not sure about putting up pic's here but check my profile for a better look or email me for a pic with new stainless grill.

Colin L

[Tafford]

I lowered my numberplate (see profile picture) but didn't fancy drilling holes in bodywork, so fixed it with two large self tappers through the top of the plate into the bottom of the grill. Had to use 2 tubular spacers about 13mm long to get plate out far enough to just rest against the bodywork. Made a some difference to running temp. and also looks better IMHO.

[softtop]

Has any one tried spraying a 'number plate' onto the grill? You could give it a border and from a distance it may not look that much different?

[razorman]

Hi,
As you have a 97, I assume it is like mine with the split opening and no actual grill. I did this for mine as I fitted a home made grill into the top opening to protect the rad from stone damage. I then dropped the numberplate down to stop most stones going through the lower section.
As the previous owner had made a mess of the centre piece using self tappers, I didn't want to use them again. So simply used strong double sided foam tape. The depth of a standard numberplate is deeper than the lower opening so it can stick to the centre piece and the lower bodywork section. If you use long enough pieces the grip is very good. Can't remember if the tape came from Halfrauds, if not it was from B&Q (very hi-tech)
The added advantage?? is that I used a new numberplate and so I don't have any screws or screw covers showing.
Can post a pic if your interested.

>> Edited by razorman on Monday 4th July 12:57

[sparky11]

Thats odd, mines a 97 with the 'old' style front end i.e. one big grill.

Its an early 97 though - maybe thats why? I've also noticed in the past that the dash is different to what the bible says should be in there. Thats the beauty of TVR!!

Thanks for all the replies - gonna order a 'small' plate from fancyplates and get handy with the self tappers!!

[PeterC]

I don't want to be a spoil sport, but ever since the use of camera's on our roads to to catch speeders - aka law abiding members of the public, aka TVR owners like me - there have been strict laws about number plate size, font type and size, colour and positioning of number plates on front of cars.

There have been cases reported in the papers such as the police considering prosecution of a woman who simply used a black headed screw to make two "1" appear as an "H" when viewed from a distance. So modifying a front plate to be smaller than the stated legal size with corresponding reduction in visibility WILL attract the attention of the law (£40+ fine + two penalty points I think)

[sparky11]

Fair point Peter,


Gotta catch me first, though!

[parrot of doom]

Theres a big difference between modifying a license plate for reasons of practicality, and modifying it to obscure the characters.

[zumbruk]

parrot of doom said:

Theres a big difference between modifying a license plate for reasons of practicality, and modifying it to obscure the characters.

Not so far as the magistrates are concerned, there isn't.

[cerby4.5]

Whats the situation regarding 'self adhesive' number plates mounted on the bonnet?
Saw a chap at "the Ace" last week who had one on his Chim, he hadn't experienced any problems with the Police, as the plate was clearly visible and the right size and font?
Forgot to ask where he got it from though. Bugger! Anyone know where I can buy one, as am keen to give it a try?

[victormeldrew]

zumbruk said:

parrot of doom said: Theres a big difference between modifying a license plate for reasons of practicality, and modifying it to obscure the characters. Not so far as the magistrates are concerned, there isn't.

No, but the more enlightened and reasonable BiB wouldn't put that to the test.

[jon_w]

cerby4.5 said:

Whats the situation regarding 'self adhesive' number plates mounted on the bonnet? Saw a chap at "the Ace" last week who had one on his Chim, he hadn't experienced any problems with the Police, as the plate was clearly visible and the right size and font? Forgot to ask where he got it from though. Bugger! Anyone know where I can buy one, as am keen to give it a try?

Apparently the reason why stick-on number plates aren't legal is that they don't meet British Standards. That said, if stick-on number plates do meet it then there doesn't appear to be anything else to stop you from using them.

www.dvla.gov.uk/faq/faq_number_plates.htm#26

Smaller number plates are allowed on certain imported vehicles.

www.dvla.gov.uk/vehicles/regmarks/reg_marks_current_requirements.htm#import

I'd be interested to know if these would be worth it. It's not hugely smaller, but every little counts. You'd probably get away with it, as presumably they can still be read by cameras if they are legal (albeit on only a few vehicles).