USA License Plates
Discussion
Has anyone come up with a decent solution for mounting your USA license plate to the rear of your Ultima? The rear is set up for Euro Plates and ours just don't fit. If Illinois didn't require the sticker at the top of the plate I'd slot the plate overhang and slide the plate up inside. I would think hanging the plate down below the rear bodywork will be a problem at G-Man speeds. I've seen some of the US cars with plates but don't like the after thought look. Ideas?? I will inquire to Ted and Richard. Perhaps in the future there could be a USA rear end?
Brad Z in Frozen Chicago!
Brad Z in Frozen Chicago!
Frozen is right, I can't heat my shop enough to take of the coat and gloves.
Good topic: 1) You could fabricate a pair of aluminum "triangles" that are fixed to the euro plate mount and tilt the top of the plate rearward, bend the top of the plate to conform to the shape of the car.
2) Mount the plate on the grill at the rear.
3) Cut of the top of the plate and affix tax stickers to the bottom edge.
Are you getting this close to driving your car?
ken
Good topic: 1) You could fabricate a pair of aluminum "triangles" that are fixed to the euro plate mount and tilt the top of the plate rearward, bend the top of the plate to conform to the shape of the car.
2) Mount the plate on the grill at the rear.
3) Cut of the top of the plate and affix tax stickers to the bottom edge.
Are you getting this close to driving your car?
ken
US plates can be really ugly..I'd much prefer an Euro style plate anyday. You know, I have seen people with Euro style plates on the road. Don't know if they were legal or doing it for show. Try your local DMV to see if they can modify a plate to your liking.
>> Edited by ULTIMALOVER on Friday 24th January 17:52
>> Edited by ULTIMALOVER on Friday 24th January 17:52
Ken
Thanks for the ideas. Although I've had the kit for a year we are just starting out. Since I'm having the GTR built by someone else I have plenty of time to think of things like this!
Ultima Lover
As far as USA plates being ugly...I agree...the Euro's look much better...but we have a better chance at getting plates like "OVER200" or "NO ENZO". Having said that...I'd gladly give up my personalized plate for the Euro size.....just can't do it legally.
Any more creative ideas out there?
Brad Z
>> Edited by usagtrman on Saturday 25th January 02:22
Thanks for the ideas. Although I've had the kit for a year we are just starting out. Since I'm having the GTR built by someone else I have plenty of time to think of things like this!
Ultima Lover
As far as USA plates being ugly...I agree...the Euro's look much better...but we have a better chance at getting plates like "OVER200" or "NO ENZO". Having said that...I'd gladly give up my personalized plate for the Euro size.....just can't do it legally.
Any more creative ideas out there?
Brad Z
>> Edited by usagtrman on Saturday 25th January 02:22
GTRCLIVE said: At least you boys over there don't have to fit a front plate. It looks much better without one...
Hi Clive
In Illinois where I live you are required to have a front plate....however most of the police patrols are pretty cool about letting you off. I have had half a dozen cars like the GTR where the front plate just doesn't look right and never got a ticket because of it. I always carried the front plate around in the trunk....and plan to carry the GTR plate along as well. If I get stopped because of the plate...I'll just explain "it just fell off"! That's my plan. Oh, one more thing....I like the way your front plates look on the GTR. What are they....stickers....static clings?
Brad Z
Steve_D said: The front number plate is adhesive backed vinyl. If you had an issue with the US/Canada plate could you digital photo the plate and get a graphics company to print one for you.
Just a thought.
Steve
Steve:
Thanks for the idea....although I doubt it to be legal I think I'll do one that way for the front....just in case. Does anyone have any experience with the US plate hanging low in the back and causin a problem?
Brad Z
In Indiana and Florida are two states I know of that don't issue front plates.
I don't know if ultimacars.com could give advice. I thought they were from So.Cal and built complete cars in the USA. They mention the factory. It's strange when you can't find a Co's address on there web page. They used to quote putting in the Crate Z06 engine now that is gone.
I don't know if ultimacars.com could give advice. I thought they were from So.Cal and built complete cars in the USA. They mention the factory. It's strange when you can't find a Co's address on there web page. They used to quote putting in the Crate Z06 engine now that is gone.
Ultima Cars USA doesn't exist anymore from what I've heard. And the guy handling engine installs after them, Lawrence Farmer quit doing Ultimas too. I waited for some LS1/lS6 Ultima headers for nearly a year, finally made my own recently. Most Ultimas in the US so far are not registered yet
jschwartz said: Ultima Cars USA doesn't exist anymore from what I've heard. And the guy handling engine installs after them, Lawrence Farmer quit doing Ultimas too. I waited for some LS1/lS6 Ultima headers for nearly a year, finally made my own recently. Most Ultimas in the US so far are not registered yet
Jeff
What do you plan to do with your plates? Have you given it any thought?
Brad
Ted replied to my inquiry quick as usual. The factory is working on a USA solution to the plate issue. He asked a number of questions so the wheels are definitely turning. Does anyone know of a state that doesn't require a front plate? Are there any states that have a different size plate? My answer to Ted was no and no.
usagtrman said: Ted replied to my inquiry quick as usual. The factory is working on a USA solution to the plate issue. He asked a number of questions so the wheels are definitely turning. Does anyone know of a state that doesn't require a front plate? Are there any states that have a different size plate? My answer to Ted was no and no.
Hmm thats good news! I have been also wondering how I was going to manage the plate situation. I am not to fond of how a bent plate looks on the car. Makes it look real cheap IMO.
I'm not going to run a front plate, though I've been ticketed before, it's not a moving violation, only equipment, so it doesn't count against the driving record, only $$$ (in IL). In the rear, I'll wait until I'm done with the build and get registration, hopefully in a month or so. I'll either mount it in the middle of the original plate location, hanging down slightly. On my custom bikes I've cut approx 1/4 inch off top and bottom of plate without any complaints. Or I may see how it looks on the rear screen, though the license plate light will be an issue there.
Pennsylvania does not require a front license plate. Not to sound boastful but we also have very liberal registration laws. What does the factory need to know about a state that does not require a front plate? My friend registered his hand-built porsche 904 as an antique vehicle because he borrowed heavily from a donor 914/6. It is currently registered as an antique, which does not require a yearly inspection, or MOT, as the brits would call it. Because it is an antique you can only drive it for limited use, parades, shows, occasional drives. Most antique insurance companies insist that you drive the vehicle less than 2500 miles per year. If you have a good driving record the cost for antique insurance is under a $100 dollars a year. That is not a typo. I registered my old 59 TR3 as an antique, and I paid $64 a year.
klein said:What does the factory need to know about a state that does not require a front plate?
Klein
I think Ted was wanting to know if this is a country wide problem or limited to certain states. Ted has sent a photo of the USA front mounting solution which I have forwarded to Stig for posting.
Brad Z
Gassing Station | Ultima | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff