Rear Number Plate Bracket

[Geoff Fleming]

Unfortunately, hand painted plates are illegal in the U.S. You can't have altered or hand made plates on a vehicle that is driven on public roads. It would be nice, but...

[David Jones]

Why put nuts up inside the rear panel when you could use Nutserts. Just a hole and the insert compression gun. I would think there would be no deduction of points in a concours event as there was no specific way to mount the license plates back in the day.

[Dave Wildrick]

Why put nuts up inside the rear panel when you could use Nutserts. Just a hole and the insert compression gun. I would think there would be no deduction of points in a concours event as there was no specific way to mount the license plates back in the day.

You could also use Wellnuts (Rawlnuts), which make a Neoprene rubber seal and require no special tool.

[Eric McKinley]

Marc,

I used the holes that were in the body and had been filled, worms holes, redrilled them and mounted the bracket, I did have it initially stuck to the body using double sided tape, it looked like an after thought. The bracket looks more correct however I can see what you mean about it flapping around.
I spent this afternoon in Essex with Paul at PRS and got a chance to see his cars and how his plates are attached, mainly screwed straight to the body, looks perfect, only one with the bracket.
I also got my first drive in a 356, 5 years of ownership and never been in one, a good bunch of guys.

[Phil Planck]

Do the plate lights still light up the plate when offset that far?

[ralph bauer]

Eric,
A rubber grommet (spacer) between the plate and the body instead of a harder surfaced spacer such as teflon may be less abrasive to the paint.
To position the plate vertically or horizontally I have used an old license plate, drilling holes in it matching the holes on the body and then attach the visible plate. If you use a license plate frame it will usually hide the double plate edges.

[Mike Wilson]

You could always use a grommet the same size as the bracket hole.

Mike

[Martin Benade]

Nutserts or welnuts require either a big hole or unusually small screws. In spite of all the cutting, replacing and welding that’s usually done, most 356 owners are loathe to drill or enlarge a hole

[jule block]

If the bracket was a dealer installed item was the body drilled from the factory or did the dealer determine where to attach the plate and drill the holes?

[Mervyn Hyde]

Unfortunately, hand painted plates are illegal in the U.S. You can't have altered or hand made plates on a vehicle that is driven on public roads. It would be nice, but...

They are here in most States as well - now. But if on the car originally they seem to be fine. As received mine.



SA= South Australia

Sadly, I am in another State and needed new plates and I didn't want to drill holes in the body, I attached the new plates over the original painted ones without screws.

[Ron LaDow]

[...][These days, I just get a signwriter to custom make a vinyl replica of my plate, and stick it directly to the body. Looks like the way is is supposeed to.

In CA, that would get you a pretty spendy fine; you *must* have the state-supplied items on the car.

[Martin Bruechle]

Martin, that is my favored method. Clean, and the plate forms to the car. I will do my '56 EURO. that way, and thank you for reminding me. Jim.

Nice shop you have Jim, thanks for the beers too. Martin

[Bill Oldham]

On Feb 9 2015, under a similar topic (61 356B T5 Rear License Plate Mount) I posted a different solution, one using a bracket with no holes drilled in body. I do not know how to get an index number that takes you there, but you can search that topic.

[marcsherriff]

The talk of painted plates, decal plates, etc. I find that my car draws more looks of admiration and respect from the constabulary, rather than suspicion about what they could get me for.
Sure a painted plate, or decal plate is illegal here, but the only times I have been pulled over in my car it was to discuss its history, not what is wrong with it. I rarely drive like I did when I was 19, and draw attention for the wrong reasons, these days.
I do also keep the original plates in the glove box, should the question get asked.