License Plate Frame & Envelope, 1963

[Jim B.]

One license plate frame was never installed on my 63 coupe. I believe the dealer was in a rear license plate only state. Below is the original envelope and uninstalled frame which were provided with the car when delivered new.

PART NO. 3797485
REAR LICENSE PLATE FRAME ASSEMBLY

[Loren L.]

Re: License Plate Frame & Envelope, 1963

A curiosity question.....was there a difference between "front" and "rear" frames.....and what was it? Can someone confirm that the retainer
on these "correct" frames then was natural/zinc/cadmium gray and not black? I think the black natural retainer bowed in sometime in the '80s.

[Kenneth S.]

Re: License Plate Frame & Envelope, 1963

The AIM Misc. Shipping List (Sec 14 Sheet A8.00) shows 3797485 Frame Asm - License Plate, quantity 2.

[John D.]

Re: License Plate Frame & Envelope, 1963

As Kenneth mentioned there should be two license plate frames. Front and rear frames were same part number. Typically these frames were in a bag behind the seat although Sheet A8 titles: Misc shipping list-shows the 2 frames in instrument panel compartment. I dont' know if the frames wold even fit in the glove box
The hardware was in the glove box in a manilla envelope.
License plate hardware was in a bag stamped: 3690446. Hard to believe the repro catalogs never made up a nice fake bag.
Wonder what is up thought with the nice photo James Board included??? Another mystery surfaces. Thanx, JD

[John H.]

Re: License Plate Frame & Envelope, 1963

The hardware was in the glove box in a manilla envelope.
License plate hardware was in a bag stamped: 3690446. Hard to believe the repro catalogs never made up a nice fake bag.

That bag and hardware would have disappeared during dealer prep, so it shouldn't be a judged item anyway.

[D S.]

Re: License Plate Frame & Envelope, 1963

I have four sets of stainless license plate frames, three correct originals and one reproduction all with the spring steel retainers (two on each side). The reproduction set has black retainers and no patent numbers, cheesy rivets, thinner metal, etc. One set of the orignals has rounded ends on the retainers and two sets have squared ends. All the orignals have patent numbers stamped on one retainer on each side. The retainers on the original sets appear natural in color on mine.

[D S.]

Re: License Plate Frame & Envelope, 1963

Were the license plate frames put in the car at the factory or at the dealership?

[John H.]

Re: License Plate Frame & Envelope, 1963

Were the license plate frames put in the car at the factory or at the dealership?

They were installed at the dealership by the prep guy when he installed the plates. They were shipped loose in the car from the factory, along with all the other applicable items listed in the Miscellaneous Shipping List (1963 A.I.M., UPC 14, sheet A8).

[Dave S.]

Re: License Plate Frame & Envelope, 1963

They were installed at the dealership by the prep guy when he installed the plates. They were shipped loose in the car from the factory, along with all the other applicable items listed in the Miscellaneous Shipping List (1963 A.I.M., UPC 14, sheet A8).

Jim,
That is one sweet item. I have seen frames and screws from later mid year and shark cars but never a frame in original packaging from a car that early. Thanks for sharing.

[Russ S.]

Re: License Plate Frame & Envelope, 1963

They were installed at the dealership by the prep guy when he installed the plates. They were shipped loose in the car from the factory, along with all the other applicable items listed in the Miscellaneous Shipping List (1963 A.I.M., UPC 14, sheet A8).

Not all dealers(states) installed plates.Some states the plates came or were picked up at a later date in which case the brown bags should have been in the car when delivered to the new owner.

[John D.]

Re: License Plate Frame & Envelope, 1963

Several new midyear Corvettes that I bought from Grabiak Chevrolet in New Alexandria, PA (still in business) never had the SS license plate frame installed as Grabiaks had their own frame with a 63-64 Coupe and Convertible silhouette on top of the frame. Clem Zahrobsky may remember this. When I got my 65 and 66's the two frames were behind the seat in the envelope. But I didn't save the envelopes. JD