License Plate screws

[Rob M.]

Trying to correct a few details after the Waco judging on my 1965 coupe. I would like to get an accurate description of the license plate attaching screws and associated plastic inserts. Can someone post a picture of original parts. Are any of the reproductions accurate?

Thanks,
Rob

[Jack H.]

Re: License Plate screws

License plate screws were originally slotted 'washer head' fasteners. That means the washer surrounding the slotted screw head was integral to the screw and NOT a discrete separate component.

What you get from most of the repro catalogs is a set of screws with separate washers instead of the factory original 'washer head' screws which are STILL available from many sources. That's typically what the judges are writing up and taking deduction(s) on....

Plus, there were two sizes of washer head screws + their associated plastic inserts. The 'small' ones were used on early mid-year cars while the larger 'fat' ones were used on later cars. If memory serves, the cross-over point was '65/66 with '66 and later cars using the larger fasteners.

If you can't find the correct ones in your local auto parts store, ask to see who's got an Au-ve-co catalog (they're one of the largest suppliers of aftermarket automotive fasteners with local stocking distributors all across the US). Their catalogs even have nice cross-reference tables to translate from Ford/Chrysler/GM part numbers to the Auveco equivalent. But, everyone knows this....

[Jack H.]

Re: License Plate screws

License plate screws were originally slotted 'washer head' fasteners. That means the washer surrounding the slotted screw head was integral to the screw and NOT a discrete separate component.

What you get from most of the repro catalogs is a set of screws with separate washers instead of the factory original 'washer head' screws which are STILL available from many sources. That's typically what the judges are writing up and taking deduction(s) on....

Plus, there were two sizes of washer head screws + their associated plastic inserts. The 'small' ones were used on early mid-year cars while the larger 'fat' ones were used on later cars. If memory serves, the cross-over point was '65/66 with '66 and later cars using the larger fasteners.

If you can't find the correct ones in your local auto parts store, ask to see who's got an Au-ve-co catalog (they're one of the largest suppliers of aftermarket automotive fasteners with local stocking distributors all across the US). Their catalogs even have nice cross-reference tables to translate from Ford/Chrysler/GM part numbers to the Auveco equivalent. But, everyone knows this....

[John D.]

Re: License Plate screws

Jack, I thought the 63 to 65 license plate screw and washers for sure were all the same. My 63 has a free spinning flat washer. Not part of the head.
Screws: #10 x 3/4" pan head slotted tapping screws w/captured washer. In fact I still had two of the screws from one of my new 65's. Had them for an eon. And they fit the above description and are in fact on my 63 showcar.Plating is zincad.
Michael Hanson covered this detail in one of his many posts a while back. Now the 66 up screws are different and may in fact be the ones you are descibing.I don't know for sure though.
They are a very common screws but the 63 to 65 are not.
Paragon has the 63 to 65 license plate screws: 4896K page 88 in the 2007 catalog. 5 bucks and includes the little nylon nuts and the big rubber bumper.You need two sets of course.
When my 63 was judged at Marlborough Bob Gregory and Ricky said my license plate screws were correct and that they fit 63 to 65 also. I remember Bob putting his finger on the two screws I had sticking out of the front license frame and spinning the washer and said to me that they were nice screws etc. John D.

[John D.]

Re: License Plate screws

Jack, I thought the 63 to 65 license plate screw and washers for sure were all the same. My 63 has a free spinning flat washer. Not part of the head.
Screws: #10 x 3/4" pan head slotted tapping screws w/captured washer. In fact I still had two of the screws from one of my new 65's. Had them for an eon. And they fit the above description and are in fact on my 63 showcar.Plating is zincad.
Michael Hanson covered this detail in one of his many posts a while back. Now the 66 up screws are different and may in fact be the ones you are descibing.I don't know for sure though.
They are a very common screws but the 63 to 65 are not.
Paragon has the 63 to 65 license plate screws: 4896K page 88 in the 2007 catalog. 5 bucks and includes the little nylon nuts and the big rubber bumper.You need two sets of course.
When my 63 was judged at Marlborough Bob Gregory and Ricky said my license plate screws were correct and that they fit 63 to 65 also. I remember Bob putting his finger on the two screws I had sticking out of the front license frame and spinning the washer and said to me that they were nice screws etc. John D.

[John D.]

Re: License Plate screws

Look in the aims for 63 and 65. License plate screws: 3794162. I was going to have these reproduced just for fun. In fact I bought a little box of screws as they are readily available.Didn't get around to buying the washers yet though. But then I figured it was out of my realm and a waste of time as you can't get rich selling a complete kit for 10 bucks. Just a service item.
JD

[John D.]

Re: License Plate screws

Look in the aims for 63 and 65. License plate screws: 3794162. I was going to have these reproduced just for fun. In fact I bought a little box of screws as they are readily available.Didn't get around to buying the washers yet though. But then I figured it was out of my realm and a waste of time as you can't get rich selling a complete kit for 10 bucks. Just a service item.
JD