Competition Motors License Plate Frame

[Drew Ogden]

So, what is the deal with this frame from Competition Motors in Mission Hills? I have seen pictures of plates from Woodland Hills and North Hollywood, but never Mission Hills. I assume it is a second dealership by the same owners, or maybe they moved? Just trying to pin the date on this frame and verify that it is the same company. Any info would be appreciated, Thanks!

[Dave Whittick]

Did you ever get some more info about Mission Hills?

[Mike Wilson]

Are there any stampings on the backside of the frame?

Mike

[Spencer Harris]

This list of CM dealers from 1959. Presumably a Mission Hills dealership was added later - perhaps what is now the Galpin VW dealership...

competitionmotors_hollywood_ca_dealer_listing_1959.jpg (733.92 KiB) Viewed 1116 times

[Mike Wilson]

Your presumption is correct, Spencer, as the Woodland Hills dealer isn't listed.

Mike

[Dave Whittick]

[Dave Whittick]

Are there any stampings on the backside of the frame?

Mike

[Mike Wilson]

Thanks, Dave. I have never seen one from Mission Hills but then again, I've only seen 2 or 3 from Woodland Hills. It is stamped correctly for a genuine frame. The guy that sells frames at the Lit Show has/had one for Woodland Hills. He was asking a LOT for it. I read that Competition Motors, the distributor, didn't like/want the dealers to have frames with their location on them and basically told them to stop. That might be why these are so rare. Unfortunately, I don't remember where I read this to verify it.

Mike

[Dave Whittick]

Thanks, Dave. I have never seen one from Mission Hills but then again, I've only seen 2 or 3 from Woodland Hills. It is stamped correctly for a genuine frame. The guy that sells frames at the Lit Show has/had one for Woodland Hills. He was asking a LOT for it. I read that Competition Motors, the distributor, didn't like/want the dealers to have frames with their location on them and basically told them to stop. That might be why these are so rare. Unfortunately, I don't remember where I read this to verify it.

Mike

My Mission Hills was a random Facebook page ad find for $25 so I grabbed it. I know it's legit but couldn't find any history on that particular dealership.

[Mike Wilson]

Great score, Dave! Maybe there is some info on the dealership on the internet.

Mike

[Dave Whittick]

[Richard Emerson]

Competition Motors Woodland Hills frames are quite hard to find.

The gold ones are far far harder to find. Here’s why:

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More info:

from the Ex Competition Motors parts manager suggests how rare these frames are:

"Good Luck in finding one. I was the Parts Manager for Competition Motors from Sept.1956 until sold to Bob Smith in 1965. Mr. von Neumann did not want Competition Motors license frames made because other dealers might think that he was selling too many cars and not allocating enough cars to them.
The General Manager at Competition Motors in Woodland Hills had 1 batch made, without Mr. von Neuman's approval. When he found out I was sent to pick up any remaining ones and destroy them. Needless to say the General Manager was chewed out.
Your fictitious North Hollywood frames are probably popular with PORSCHE people because of this. Be sure to tell them that Original COMPETITION MOTORS NORTH HOLLYWOOD license frames never existed.
Bill W.............
Ex-Parts Manager Competition Motors, Hollywood
Ex-Porsche Parts Manager Competition Motors Dist. Culver City"

Finally, a gift to me many years ago from Gary Emory, via Rod. A gold Competition Motors Woodland Hills frame Gary had tucked away. Rod restored the frame. Gary said it was extremely rare.

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I moved the frame over to my latest speedster, and sometimes I feel the gold is too much bling on the car, though the Porsche badging is gold too. I thought about selling it to someone more appreciative but it’s history.

[Mike Wilson]

Talk about a rare frame! Congrats! I wonder where the other gold ones ended up and how many of the chrome ones survived the purge?

Mike

[Richard Emerson]

A gold one sold recently on early911s for $1,200; the seller said that many people wanted it for that price!

[Mike Wilson]

I believe the asking price for a chrome one a few years ago was $1000!

Mike