1963 Corvette License Plate Frames. Magnetic or Non-Magnetic

[Chuck G.]

I just spent about 45 minutes searching the archives, looking for the definitive answer to a question that a friend asked me yesterday. I told him I would check, and report back.

Throughout the years, I've heard the magnetic vs. non-magnetic license plate frame argument. I've always thought that non-magnetic was correct for 63 era frames.

So... What say you?

I realize that early frames have the larger rivet, and there are different patent numbers stamped on the "springs", and that the springs can be either black or silver.....

But............ for 1963, is the SS frame itself magnetic or non-magnetic?

[Edward J.]

Re: 1963 Corvette License Plate Frames. Magnetic or Non-Magnetic

Chuck, just when I thought it was safe to come out you threw another match into the fire. I thought the were all magnetic.

[Chuck G.]

Re: 1963 Corvette License Plate Frames. Magnetic or Non-Magnetic

Chuck, just when I thought it was safe to come out you threw another match into the fire. I thought they were all magnetic.

I don't stay up on every aspect of judging anymore, Ed. I was going by memory when I posted this question for a friend.

So, the new thought is magnetic for 63?

How about the rivet? Large or small?

And the clips, black or natural/zinc/cad?

Some have said that 63 stands "alone", and that all from 64 up are magnetic, and have the large rivet...

Not trying to add to the confusion..........

I have two with my car. They're magnetic... and they have the larger rivet... which is hollow on the inside. My clips are natural/gray in color. Mine are flea market purchases from eons ago, and are not original to my car.

[Edward J.]

Re: 1963 Corvette License Plate Frames. Magnetic or Non-Magnetic

Chuck, This is the first time I have heard anything about 63 lic. plate frames maybe being Different, Now you have me interested, I am wondering just how many people have a real 63 plate frame. May be J.R. knows?

[Joe R.]

Re: 1963 Corvette License Plate Frames. Magnetic or Non-Magnetic

Well JR knows this for sure! Pure Stainless Steel is non-magnetic and costs many times more than magnetic stainless. Now would GM spend extra for pure stainless when they were just looking for something that would not rust. I don't think so! Pure stainless is used in medical instruments which cost an arm and a leg.
Yes, 1963 Corvettes have many different things but GM ain't totally stupid and spent their money carefully.
Now, it's your pick but there are many NOS license frames out there that are magnetic. Take your pick!

JR

[Chuck G.]

Re: 1963 Corvette License Plate Frames. Magnetic or Non-Magnetic

I have a friend who is very detail oriented. I'm asking these questions for him. I don't have a horse in this race.

Seems like the magnetic vs. non-magnetic issue is settled... they're all magnetic unless someone says different.... for 63 only.

How about the rivets.. large head or small.

How about the configuration of the frames themselves. Same or different, especially on the vertical sides?

How about the patent numbers... Same or different.

How about the clip color... natural, black plated, or cad/zinc plated?

I also believe that these frames were supplied with other GM/Chevrolet products, not just Corvette.

[Frank D.]

Re: 1963 Corvette License Plate Frames. Magnetic or Non-Magnetic

Well JR knows this for sure! Pure Stainless Steel is non-magnetic and costs many times more than magnetic stainless. Now would GM spend extra for pure stainless when they were just looking for something that would not rust. I don't think so! Pure stainless is used in medical instruments which cost an arm and a leg.
Yes, 1963 Corvettes have many different things but GM ain't totally stupid and spent their money carefully.
Now, it's your pick but there are many NOS license frames out there that are magnetic. Take your pick!

JR

Which is why I laugh when people are amazed at rust appearing on their expensive "stainless steel" outdoor grills...
Now - about those stainless steel exhaust systems...

[James R.]

Re: 1963 Corvette License Plate Frames. Magnetic or Non-Magnetic

so no one knows for sure. how can they judge them ??

[Terry M.]

Re: 1963 Corvette License Plate Frames. Magnetic or Non-Magnetic

Which is why I laugh when people are amazed at rust appearing on their expensive "stainless steel" outdoor grills...
Now - about those stainless steel exhaust systems...

The stainless steel exhaust systems on my Caprices have lasted now more than 20 years and almost 300K. They do have surface rust, but not too bad. Not too bad for "cheap" stainless steel.

[Mike M.]

Re: 1963 Corvette License Plate Frames. Magnetic or Non-Magnetic

i bought a new cutback exhaust system for my 2005 chevy silver ado when it was new. the mfgr was gibson. advertised as stainless. the tailpipe to catalytic converter rust 360 degrees about 4 years from date of purchase. i don't support gibson exhaust systems. mike

[Jim D.]

Re: 1963 Corvette License Plate Frames. Magnetic or Non-Magnetic

I installed Zierden stainless exhaust on my 1960 back in 1986. It's non magnetic and not a speck of rust anywhere on it to this day. The front header pipes do have a slight yellow hue to them but other than that, they still look new. Not bad for 30+ years.

[Chuck G.]

Re: 1963 Corvette License Plate Frames. Magnetic or Non-Magnetic

I think they're only assigned one point...

Using FDICC... or CDCIF..... If the rivet is incorrect, you might put a dot for a 20% deduct, i.e. 0.2 of one point.

SO, we're not talking big numbers here.

[Perry M.]

Re: 1963 Corvette License Plate Frames. Magnetic or Non-Magnetic

Back to the license plate frames, does anyone know of somebody that can restore mine? While trying to detail mine on the buffer, it got away from me. The buffer ripped it out of my hands and threw it on the floor. Hate it when that happens! It is/was an original '63 frame. It is magnetic and has the small rivet as shown in Chucks first picture, second from the bottom.

[Mike M.]

Re: 1963 Corvette License Plate Frames. Magnetic or Non-Magnetic

i got my collection of license frames out for inspection. i have one that is still in the old GM wrapper(one side plastic, the other side blue and white paper, out of the 70's over the chevy counter NOS being my guess. its magnetic, has the larger rivet in chuck's photo and has the patent # info on its spring clips. i've also got about a dozen repos that i got from god knows who or when. they are identical to the NOS GM frame except no patent info on the clips.
buffing a piece like a license frame or headlight retaining bezel can be dangerous if the piece gets grabbed by the baldor buffing pad. take care when doing so. i got a nice scar on a thumb from years ago. i wear leather gloves when buffing dangerous pieces nowadays. mike

[Mark M.]

Re: 1963 Corvette License Plate Frames. Magnetic or Non-Magnetic

Perry, I did the same thing years ago trying to be careful to just buff the top edge but I turned it a little bit and bang. It disappeared and the look on my face must have been priceless . I immediately counted my fingers and promised I wouldn't do that again . It took hours of careful reshaping and sanding since the mangled frame wasn't torn but it was good enough for another attempt at buffing. The safer way I found to these small parts is with a die grinder with a buff wheel. The part lies flat and the small buffer moves . Much safer for the part and my lucky ten fingers. Good Luck Mark