I've come up with a very easy fix for the front license plate problem. When I got my "Z", I asked the dealer not to install the front license plate frame. He said no problem and left it in the car for me to fool with. New York requires 2 plates. The local police will stop and ticket you for the missing plate. So... I took the License plate frame and positioned it in the center of the grill and fastened it to the grill using 2 very heavy duty Ty-Wraps. They fit very nicelt into the openings on the frame. I put a third TY-Wrap on for saftey. I then mounted the plate. I'm very pleased with the outcome. I've posted a photo of the frame and will post a second with the plate installed. If for some reason you must install the tow hook, just cut the Ty-wraps and remove the plate which you must do anyway with the frame mounted on the bumper..

Steve (k2we) Dobbs Ferry, NY

 

Here's what the installation looks like with the license plate installed..

PS: The 2 dimples above the plate are where the frame "should" go...

 

too bad you still have 'em holes on your bumper!

 

Well.. It could be much worse.. The dealer could have drilled them out for the frame.. The 2 little dimples really don't bother me..

Steve (k2we) Dobbs Ferry, NY

 

I wonder if you can make a retractable plate, that you can pop up whenever there's a cop around. That would be so funny.

"Hello, sir, do you know why I'm pulling you over today?"

"No officer. What's the problem?"

"Sir, the state of New York requires a front as well as a rear plate, and you do not have a front plate affixed to your vehicle at this time."

"Are you sure about that, officer? It was there when I left."

 

k2we,

Thanks for the idea. If (I mean when) I get my car one day,
I'm going to do the same.

Cheers!

 

k2we any chance you could post a front end picture of the whole car with the new lic. plate mount? Would like to see what the overall look is like.

The retracting plate idea is not that far fetched. The Mazda Miata guys came up with a license plate that mounts on the lower lip of the front grill and spring loaded on a hinge. When you are driving the wind force will lay the plate down flat INTO the grill and makes it look like you have no plates. But when stopped the plate springs up.

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Zzyzx
Silverstone touring 6MT......due in Dec/Jan

 

That's interesting, but it's the exact opposite of what I would want: I want the car to look good when parked and driving slowly, but when it's visible to the cops while driving I want the plate showing (they probably won't ticket a parked car for no plate!)

 

To Zzyzx:

Here's a photo of the complete front.. It's a grey day here in New York.. Hope the photo shows up OK..

Steve (k2we) Dobbs Ferry, NY

 

May be we can come up with a sping-loaded hinge facing the opposite side. Have the wind force push the plate to the up position when driving and lay flat (with a black/bodycolor backing to teh lic plate) when stoppped?......emm....may work.

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Zzyzx
Silverstone 6MT touring......due in Dec/Jan

 

Thanks k2we! I do like the new lic. plate mount location a whole lot better when original. Is there any concern with airflow into the raditor/engine compartment being obstructed by the lic. plate?

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Zzyzx
Silverstone Touring 6 MT.....due Dec/Jan

 

nice! i was wondering about air flow to the engine though. is that car cs/frost or silverstone/orange?

 

lol it looks the the Z's mouth is biting the plate and holding it with its mouth heh

i hope otehr people see this too
cuase if you dont, im weird lol

 

Looks good. I don't think you'll run into air problems.

 

Looks kinda like a rabbit ...

 

I see no reason this mount will cause an air-flow problem.. If the original mount was installed on the bumper, it would cover about 70% of the area where my plate is.. As for the car, It's a Touring Chrome Silver with Frost leather interior.. I've owned many,many original "Z" cars and this is by far, hands down, the best of them all.. With Traction control, Limited slip and VDC, this car sticks like glue on rainy roads..

Steve (k2we) Dobbs Ferry, NY

 

Does everyone have those starter dimbles or just state that require a front plate?

I do not have a front plate, I live it NY, and I have the starter dimbles only.

Just wanted to know if other states with no front plate requirement still have the dimbles?

 

k2we,

Good idea. Looks good. Where did you put the 3rd Tie-Wrap?

 

There are several places on the plastic frame to add extra Ty-Wraps.. You can put 5 or maybe 6 in place if you want.. I will post a better picture in bright daylight so everyone can see it clearly..

All cars come with the dimples.. It's up to your dealer to drill out the dimples and install the front license plate frame.. Thank goodness my dealer listened to me and left it off.. I would have really been pissed..

Steve (k2we) Dobbs Ferry, NY