C-1 license plate assembly-1962

[John F.]

I am trying to remove the assembly to clean it up and can't get to the nuts on the two bottom bolts. How can I get to them? Any special tools? Also, is the area behind the license plate supposed to be painted body color or black, as I have seen on a few other 62's?

[Dennis A.]

Re: C-1 license plate assembly-1962

John...
The nuts for the bottom two carriage bolts are under the rear body of the car. The hole they go thru is located in the rear inner bumper bracket.
The rear license plate was dip painted dull black and installed after the body was painted.

[John F.]

Re: C-1 license plate assembly-1962

What type of wrench or socket did you get to those nuts with? Once out does the whole assembly come out?

[Dennis A.]

Re: C-1 license plate assembly-1962

John...
a 11/16 socket, using a 3/8 ratchet with extensions will work. the passenger side is harder to reach and requires a longer extension. If the bolts have not been out before, soak in liquid wrench. The assembly will drop out, providing you have removed the other four bolts from the welded-on nuts.
as a side note; when you reassemble, a long punch may be used to align the side bolt holes with the inner frame, taking care not to damage the threads. another point, If any work is required on the license plate light , do it now before reassembling the plate.

[Larry C.]

Re: C-1 license plate assembly-1962

Regarding the paint process indicated by Dennis, I have owned 62 #13078 since April 1965, and a few years back removed the original carpet for the first time ever. On the passenger side floor pan where ones feet would rest was the black painted outline of the rear license holder. It was obvious that the factory spray painted one side and after drying, flipped it over and spray painted the other side. The outline of both sides of the license holder are clearly visible. I suppose the license holder may have been originally dipped, and for some reason had to be repainted. When I first saw this, I simply deducted that the factory process was to paint the license holder on the floor of the body and waited for it to dry while the car was moving down the assembly line. The paint was somewhere between flat and semi-gloss black.

Has anyone else seen an original, unmolested car with what I have described?

[John M.]

Re: C-1 license plate assembly-1962

Regarding the paint process indicated by Dennis, I have owned 62 #13078 since April 1965, and a few years back removed the original carpet for the first time ever. On the passenger side floor pan where ones feet would rest was the black painted outline of the rear license holder. It was obvious that the factory spray painted one side and after drying, flipped it over and spray painted the other side. The outline of both sides of the license holder are clearly visible. I suppose the license holder may have been originally dipped, and for some reason had to be repainted. When I first saw this, I simply deducted that the factory process was to paint the license holder on the floor of the body and waited for it to dry while the car was moving down the assembly line. The paint was somewhere between flat and semi-gloss black.

Has anyone else seen an original, unmolested car with what I have described?

Larry .......... I just love these little assembly line revelations that go against the grain of accepted understanding!

Save the Wave ........ JGM

[Dennis A.]

Re: C-1 license plate assembly-1962

Larry...
Yours is a new one for me, I heard of the Cowl Vent riding on the floor thru the paint process....