Reduced size front number plate

[Belle427]

Not strictly legal I know but has anyone got one fitted to the front?
Mine is currently full size on a plastic plinth, mounted to the lower section.
Would like to neaten it up a bit by reducing the size, has anyone done this?

[angus337]

I went for 3/4 size on the front.

[Belle427]

That looks great.

[fieryfred]

I also lowered mine to aid air flow.
Screwed at the top & sticky pad at the bottom.
This is a legal sized plate, just a bit smaller than the norm.

[Sir Paolo]

I have often thought about this, to improve air flow and for aesthetic reasons.

But, I’ve been put off because the nose can be vulnerable to stone chips and with the number plate in its normal location (and size), it provides more radiator protection.

[angus337]

Just checked my order, size was 420 x 90, standard size is 520 x 112. So its closer to 4/5 x standard size.

[phazed]

Never had a pull with my old car.

[QBee]

I too mounted my full size plate below the air intake, more for cooling than aesthetics.
I bought a 3 way adjustable bracket off Ebay for the porpoise.
It's not as low as it looks - the front splitter is lower.

[Belle427]

My car is the older larger opening
Ive ordered a 3/4 size so will see how it looks, may have to make some brackets up to hold it properly.

[carl350i]

I’ve had a 3/4 plate for years and never had a problem, I keep the full size in the boot just in case but never needed it. Never been a problem on MOtTs’s either.

I did read something years ago that you were allowed smaller plates if it was to aid the car, like for cooling purposes etc, not just for aesthetic’s, but don’t quote me on that!!!!!!!

[phazed]

Jasey_ said:

QBee said:

I too mounted my full size plate below the air intake, more for cooling than aesthetics.
I bought a 3 way adjustable bracket off Ebay for the porpoise.
It's not as low as it looks - the front splitter is lower.

I think I'd treat myself to a new plate if I were you looks like you've been involved in some sort of shooting

Anthony, that is quite funny!

[QBee]

Jasey_ said:

QBee said:

I too mounted my full size plate below the air intake, more for cooling than aesthetics.
I bought a 3 way adjustable bracket off Ebay for the porpoise.
It's not as low as it looks - the front splitter is lower.

I think I'd treat myself to a new plate if I were you looks like you've been involved in some sort of shooting

Yes, I was thinking that too. The Emmental look does it no favours.
It is the result of taking it off for about 40 track days over the years - the holes in the fibreglass wear out.

[Belle427]

carl350i said:

I’ve had a 3/4 plate for years and never had a problem, I keep the full size in the boot just in case but never needed it. Never been a problem on MOtTs’s either.

I did read something years ago that you were allowed smaller plates if it was to aid the car, like for cooling purposes etc, not just for aesthetic’s, but don’t quote me on that!!!!!!!

Car looks fantastic in that colour, which green is it?

[Stever]

carl350i said:

I’ve had a 3/4 plate for years and never had a problem, I keep the full size in the boot just in case but never needed it. Never been a problem on MOtTs’s either.

I did read something years ago that you were allowed smaller plates if it was to aid the car, like for cooling purposes etc, not just for aesthetic’s, but don’t quote me on that!!!!!!!

Ditto to all the above (except the legal bit ) Double sided tape only has held fast and it's been on since 2012

[TwinKam]

The critical legal dimensions of a number plate are the letter size and spacing, and the margin, which is 11mm IIRC.
It follows, then, that a shorter registration number allows a smaller 'plate.
In the motorbike world, where the 'number' is split over two lines, a simple legal way to have a smaller 'plate is to obtain a 6 digit 'number' (rather than 7), and trim to plate to 11mm all around. I've 'got away' with doing this for years without drawing undesired attention, nor even comment at MoT time... possibly because it just looks neater, without taking the ps.
I see no reason why this practice cannot be applied equally to car 'plates.
E&OE

Edited by TwinKam on Thursday 5th November 14:07

[Belle427]

Fitted a 3/4 plate, managed to pick up on the grille with 2 screws.
looks much neater and more airflow now too.

[sixor8]

TwinKam said:

The critical legal dimensions of a number plate are the letter size and spacing, and the margin, which is 11mm IIRC.
It follows, then, that a shorter registration number allows a smaller 'plate.
In the motorbike world, where the 'number' is split over two lines, a simple legal way to have a smaller 'plate is to obtain a 6 digit 'number' (rather than 7), and trim to plate to 11mm all around. I've 'got away' with doing this for years without drawing undesired attention, nor even comment at MoT time... possibly because it just looks neater, without taking the ps.
I see no reason why this practice cannot be applied equally to car 'plates.
E&OE

Edited by TwinKam on Thursday 5th November 14:07

You can actually buy professionally made shorter plates that are as you say, legal on 6 character or less plates. Here's an example with 5:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Short-5-digit-pair-road...

I had a 6 digit shorter plate on the front of my Cerbera but had to have full size on the back because of the aperture and lamps etc.

[carl350i]

Belle427 said:

Car looks fantastic in that colour, which green is it?

It’s called malachite green, it’s a bit like an Aston Martin db7 colour.

Thanks

[combine04]

phazed said:

Never had a pull with my old car.

I like the look of your wheels - what are they?

[Belle427]

combine04 said:

phazed said:

Never had a pull with my old car.

I like the look of your wheels - what are they?

Look like Cerb RL7s