i been looking at lots of pics & it looks loke there is something in the front to mount the plate. its in the grill

 

If half the states get along just fine with no front licence plate required, then why do any states require them??

 

Laser guns thats why.

Normally when the police use laser to "hunt" speeders, they aim for the front plate, since its a flat reflective surface. they also might go for the windshield, but the plate's flatter and more reflective, so theyre more likely to get a good reading from there.

and while busting bank robbers makes the news, its busting speeders that makes the budget.

 

Here's another thing to think about in the 2-plate states: if you get pulled over without a front plate, the cop might issue you a "work repair order" (same as a cracked windshield for example) in which you must have the problem in question fixed. Then you bring the work repair order back to a police station where they sign-off on it, thereby lifting the flag on your license at the DMV. "Lose" the work repair order or don't get it checked in the 30 days and your license gets suspended until you do.

 

"Here's another thing to think about in the 2-plate states: if you get pulled over without a front plate, the cop might issue you a "work repair order" "

In California, do you pay for the "repair ticket" and does it go on your record also? I'll leave the front plate off if the "work repair order" just requires you to fix it and not pay/go on your record.

 

Again, some of us have to go through a military gate to go to work so it isn't much of an option.

 

I live in Texas and the dealer and many others have confirmed that Texas does require a front license plate.

 

I got a "fix-it" ticket TWICE for not having a front plate on my SLK 230 (eventually I drilled the holes and put one on). All you have to do is put the plate on and get a stamp on the ticket from a cop (go to a local police station, in my case they took my word for it and didn't even check the car). There is no fine and no record.

But I will leave it off of the Z. They don't usually pull you over for not having a front plate, but will give you the ticket if they pull you over for something else (e.g. speeding).

If the dealer tries to tell you they have to put it on by law, I don't think that's true. My Mercedes dealer never put it on the car, and when I asked them about it they said "we have to drill holes in the car to do that, you know" and really discouraged my from getting it put on.

 

I really don't understand why Nissan (ZISME) cannot answer this question for us? How about it Nisaan employees - what's the scoop!

 

I'm in Texas too. When the car is delivered, there is no reason for the front bracket to be put on. The car will come with a paper dealer plate that is usually taped to the inside of the rear glass.

 

Talked with my dealer yesterday, told him I didn't want the bracket installed. He talked with the service manager and they agreed to not install any on the Z's unless the buyer requested it.

 

I was at this dealer (Capitol Nissan) when the Z arrived on one of those flat bed "tow" trucks. That aluminum thing in the grille is for the "tow" truck cable to screw into. After the truck driver tilted the bed back a winch lowered the car down too the parking lot. I thought, "oh, how neat is that". For the production model? Who knows.

 

As far as the legal angle... I wonder if you explain your concerns to your dealer, and then request that the front plate be placed on the dash so it's visible through the front window, if that would save the plate from being mounted.

Anyone know if having the plate on the dash is legal in 2-plate states?

I spoke to my dealer a couple months ago about the front plate, and he said it depends, they have different policies on different models. I'm going to call and ask him about the dashboard option. Of course, I will leave the plate on the dash forever, absolutely!

 

ummm..... that's interesting, i dont know about the laws of the licence plate (yet), but from what i have seen on lots of BMWs, there aint any front licence plates. once a 2002 M3 parked right infront of me and i noticed there's no front licence plate. also i have never seen a s2000 that has the front licence plate either.

those are the things i have seen, and i dont think the police will care too much about it. (since everybody should look FORWARD while driving right?!). anyways, i personally dont want to have any holes or anything like that on my bumper!

p.s. i live in Diamond Bar, CA. this is the area where i seen cars dont have front licence plate.

 

from the manual:
So it looks like that piece is on the production model, so it should be pretty easy to make a license plate holder that screws into where the tow hook should go.

 

Man, this is a scary picture, I would be very angry with anyone taking a drill to my car:

 

I also thought the very same thing..I looked at this piece when Jay had the car..it is very doable...I'm still going to have my buddy design a bracket that will hook up to this tow hook anchor....

 

AudioPat...

Tell your buddy that he will have a ready market for the brackets. I for one will buy one - not matter what the cost (did I say that?). Well maybe if it costs less than a new Z!

 

Tow Hook Pictures and dimensions are available at this thread.