New Corvette Front License Plate Attachment???

[James W.]

Since the new C6 Corvette does not come with a way to attach a front license plate, what do people that live in states that require a front license plate be displayed do?

Do GM dealers offer a mounting frame of some type?


Thanks,

James West

[Harmon C.]

Re: New Corvette Front License Plate Attachment???

Their are alot of threads on this topic on Corvette Forum. None of them make the front look better and half the posters say they will pay one fine before they install a front plate.

[Rich G.]

Re: New Corvette Front License Plate Attachment???

My 2007 Z06 came with a front license plate bracket and NY requires a front plate. My front plate is in the storage compartment along with the bracket, which IMHO couldn't be more ugly. Some after market guys sell nicer ones, but they all look worse than none. So far, no problem with the law, but I'm sure it's only a matter of time. I drove my C5 Z06 for 3 years with no front plate.

Maybe GM only supplies them in states that require a front plate?

As stated, plenty of info on CF on this topic.

Rich

[Terry M.]

Re: New Corvette Front License Plate Attachment???

Chevrolet will supply a front plate holder with the car (can't recall if I had to pay for it or not -- if that is important I will look it up) when you order the car. I can look at mine and give you a part number so you can order it if you wish -- I think it is available through the parts department. It is butt ugly.

If you decide to have a front plate -- I did -- there is a company called Top Flight Reproductions that makes what is probably the best looking front plate mount. It sticks in the grille opening with double stick tape, and the plate and frame can be removed easily when you wish -- say for shows. It is not inexpensive, but nothing for a Corvette is.

There is also a company that sells a retractable front plate mount, but it requires drilling two small holes under the front of the car.

As Lyle mentions many chose to risk running with no plate because they are all bad -- the design of the C6 just doesn't lend itself to a front plate. I'll post a picture when I get home showing the difference.

[Roger S.]

Re: New Corvette Front License Plate Attachment???

Read your states DMV regulations. In VA it states that you must run the front license if the car came from the manufacturer with a mounting method. If it did not then you don't have to run the front plate. For my 73 Corvette I don't run the front plate but use the center grille since my car was originally purchased in Tennessee which did/does not require a front plate.

Roger

[Houston U.]

Re: New Corvette Front License Plate Attachment???

Just for kicks. I had driven my 06 in Washington state since new. Last week, a Port Orchard, WA city officer pulled me over (I've seen him almost on a daily bases to and from work). He insisted I have a front plate. Cited me for "proof of compliance" and gave me a week to comply. I'm a retired state police officer from Calif. Go Figure!

[Terry M.]

Re: New Corvette Front License Plate Attachment???

Yes Houston, that is why I chose to display a front plate -- even though I detest it. Every time the one plate movement comes up in Illinois the state police oppose it. They won't admit it, but I am sure it is for ease of targeting the car with radar and laser.

I bought a 2001 Camaro from the North Carolina Highway Patrol -- no front plate required in NC. I delayed installing the front plate because it requires drilling holes on that car. After half-dozen citations from my local protectors while the car was parked at the curb (some of which were never placed on the car, but that is another story), I gave up. It took me over a year to get all the citations dismissed because of those that had been issued but not hung on the car.

In the attached photo the silver car has the Chevrolet Papa Oscar Sierra front tag mount -- the blue car has the one sold by Top Flight Reproductions.

Edit add: I should add the blue car also has the available optional body color license plate frame. Hold on to your shorts when you ask the price of that piece of plastic.

[Harmon C.]

Re: New Corvette Front License Plate Attachment???

Read your states DMV regulations. In VA it states that you must run the front license if the car came from the manufacturer with a mounting method. If it did not then you don't have to run the front plate. For my 73 Corvette I don't run the front plate but use the center grille since my car was originally purchased in Tennessee which did/does not require a front plate.

Roger

This would not help the C-6 owners because GM has a front plate bracket but it looks like an after thought. Terry said one came with his car.

On your 73 it is a play on words to say it came without a mounting method. Your car came from a state that had the grill but if it was shipped to VA it would have had a bracket from the manufacturer to mount a plate. I would use the grill too because they look better.

[Houston U.]

Re: New Corvette Front License Plate Attachment???

My main point was, as a state police officer, I would NEVER cite a fellow corvette owner with such an ugly requirement. The "letter of the law" or the "spirit of the law". Save the wave.

[John D.]

Re: New Corvette Front License Plate Attachment???

Just for kicks. I had driven my 06 in Washington state since new. Last week, a Port Orchard, WA city officer pulled me over (I've seen him almost on a daily bases to and from work). He insisted I have a front plate. Cited me for "proof of compliance" and gave me a week to comply. I'm a retired state police officer from Calif. Go Figure!

Houston,
Isn't that unusual that an officer would not extend professional courtesy to another ? The police officers I know would never give a ticket to another cop.....not in a million years.

john

[Edward S.]

Re: New Corvette Front License Plate Attachment???

New Jersey is a two plate state, however one vette club I belonged to had copies of a little known law that was passed. This law states that your front plate does not have to match your rear plate if you belong to something like the NCRS. I still drive with a copy of that law in my glovebox in case I get pulled over.

[Hugh A.]

Re: New Corvette Front License Plate Attachment???

I struggled with the same issue with my '07. In Ontario, Canada GM supplied a front mounting plate that was designed to simply be stuck to the front of the vehicle with adhesive gum.

It fell off within a week and the car looked so much better.

I went the "I'll leave it off and see if I ever get grabbed" route. I was clean for 3 months, then came the $110 fine for no front licence plate.

I found numerous after-market options in all the usual on-line shops (eg mid-america, corvette america) and chose one that has 'arms' which extend back through the grill and screw in behind the grill. It's bent to extend down low, somewhat - which I felt was a little less intrusive on the C6 design.

I wasn't thrilled with the result - but have grown used to it.

[Chuck L.]

Re: New Corvette Front License Plate Attachment???

As I am in a 2 plate state also, I have been noticing an ad in the Corvette Museum magazine "america's sports car" for a front bracket that claims no holes to drill,and nothing touches the front bumper. Their number is 720-979-5265 and www.iaproducts.com website. They do not quote a price. Just FYI.

[Peter G.]

Re: New Corvette Front License Plate Attachment???

I just removed my front plate and bracket for the center grill which I like much better and should also help in supplying more air to the radiator for engine cooling.

My State requires two plates.

My question: If you are only going to use one plate in the rear...would you display your "Personalized Collector Plate" or your "Year of Manufacture Plate"? Both plates are registered to the car.

Which plate would be the most helpful if stopped without a front plate?

Thanks.

[Tom H.]

Re: New Corvette Front License Plate Attachment???

We always use the front mount from Top Flight Reproductions. I
It is removable and undetectable. Check them out. Good quality product. I keep them in stock and use a lot of them !

http://www.topflightrepro.com/corvette-plate-brackets.shtml