'67 stainless license plate frame - how to tell if real

[Garry B.]

Re: '67 stainless license plate frame - how to tell if real

Mike, do you have a vote on whether magnetic or non-magnetic?

[Ara G.]

Re: '67 stainless license plate frame - how to tell if real

originals were magnetic and had black phosphate (i believe) retainer clips that have patent numbers on them. we judge the frames with a magnet just as we do with the MC bails, etc.

[Garry B.]

Re: '67 stainless license plate frame - how to tell if real

OK, good luck at finding magnetic ones, I don't know who has them, and then there are all those exterior judges who judged my C2s and passed non-magnetic ones.......and the Zip description says this: "Factory-style clip-on stainless license plate frame as originally supplied with your Corvette. Non magnetic stainless. Correct for 1963-1973 Corvette."

Micheal, I certainly didn't mean to insult you with my comment, but I think the jury is still out on whether they were magnetic or non-magnetic and I am not sure I would consider a ZIP description to be always and completely accurate. I have what I believe to be an original from a prior mid-year that I owned ( I was the third owner and the second owner had it for 43 years...46K original miles) and both the frame and rivets are magnetic, but no detectable patent number.

[Michael J.]

Re: '67 stainless license plate frame - how to tell if real

No problem Garry, no offense taken. I am just a bit amazed at all the regionals and nationals I have had my C2s judged over the last 6 years, with judges using a magnet and seeing the frame was nonmagnetic and saying "good" that I was wrong all this time about it.

[Gary B.]

[Ara G.]

Re: '67 stainless license plate frame - how to tell if real

I had at one time about 10 NOS frames. They were all magnetic. Can't say they all had patent numbers on them as i didn't want to open the packages. I think i have a few NOS ones left and will double check regarding them being magnetic and numbers and report back tomorrow.

[Mike E.]

Re: '67 stainless license plate frame - how to tell if real

Mike, do you have a vote on whether magnetic or non-magnetic?

Both the rivet and the frame are magnetic. Also checked a couple more that I have labeled as original. Not all had patent numbers readily visible, but had the correct ends on the clips. The clips almost look like they were a galvanized finish, but all are used and have been subject to the elements.

[Garry B.]

Re: '67 stainless license plate frame - how to tell if real

Here are a few shots of the one I have that both the frame and rivets are magnetic. It does not have the patent number on the tang, and unfortunately one of them broke off. Again, both the frame and the rivet are magnetic and it came from a low mileage, two owner car.

[Michael J.]

Re: '67 stainless license plate frame - how to tell if real

Yes, it would, and I had understood that the policy was not to use magnets on anything. I know as a chapter judging chair I have instructed judges at our chapter meets to never use them, but it would be near impossible to know if certain parts are correct without them, from mufflers, pipes, lines, staples, etc.

[Michael J.]

Re: '67 stainless license plate frame - how to tell if real

That would be interesting Ara, and in reviewing all of the most recent C2 TIM&JGs, only the '65 specifically states they were magnetic. All the others just say "stainless'.

[Mike E.]

[Gary B.]

Re: '67 stainless license plate frame - how to tell if real

True. But that is exactly why the use of magnets should be forbidden. If any part is impossible to know for certain if it is correct without using a magnet, then it must look correct and that is the standard that should be applied. I have plastic coated magnets (for bio/chemistry stirrers) in my judging kit, that I will never use again.

Gary

[Gary B.]

Re: '67 stainless license plate frame - how to tell if real

That would be interesting Ara, and in reviewing all most the most recent C2 TIM&JGs, only the '65 specifically states they were magnetic. All the others just say "stainless'.

If the prohibition of the use of magnets is enforced, then there is no reason to mention the words magnetic or non-magnetic in any JG.

Gary

[Michael J.]

Re: '67 stainless license plate frame - how to tell if real

That would make sense, that is usually what happens when I put one on too.

[Mark F.]

Re: '67 stainless license plate frame - how to tell if real

If the prohibition of the use of magnets is enforced, then there is no reason to mention the words magnetic or non-magnetic in any JG. Gary

Hi Gary,

I respectfully disagree with stripping magnetic descriptions from TIMJGs.

As this thread proves, several folks are interested whether or not they have FOEM, TFP license plate holders or NTFP repros.

The TIMJGs we produce are Technical Information Manuals AND Judging Guides (2 distinct elements - equal in importance and execution in my mind).

Magnetic descriptions (and other non-judged described items such as differential stamped codes; transmission codes; VIN derivatives [other than on the pad], etc.) wherever they are mentioned are information