Original license plate frames

[Kurt G.]

Can anyone tell me what the difference is between the original 1970-72 stainless steel license plate frames and either the GM NOS frames and the reproductions out there from all the parts houses. If you have pictures that would help also. I've purchased a supposed NOS frame from a dealer, the packaging is very old, with yellowed paper and plastic wrap and I can't tell the difference between that one and the ones I've purchased from Paragon.

[Peter G.]

Re: Original license plate frames

Kurt..

The most noticable difference between the two are the rivets on the sides. Original ones are "flat" and the reproduction ones are pointed.

Because we don't remove the license plate and frame during Flight Judging you are not able to see the GM part # on the back. The part # is on one of the metal fingers holding the plate to the frame or near it.

Sorry I do not have a pic that I can "zoom" in on that would help.

[Terry M.]

Re: Original license plate frames

Kurt..

The most noticable difference between the two are the rivets on the sides. Original ones are "flat" and the reproduction ones are pointed.

Because we don't remove the license plate and frame during Flight Judging you are not able to see the GM part # on the back. The part # is on one of the metal fingers holding the plate to the frame or near it.

Sorry I do not have a pic that I can "zoom" in on that would help.

I know someone who does (have a picture) and he may chose to post it -- again -- here. Or one may chose to use use the "SEARCH" function to find it.

[Jeff S.]

Re: Original license plate frames

The link below may be of some help. Select the red font "page images". Note that page 1 is an undimensioned assembly dwg of sorts with an isometric view. Page 2 is the narrative description.

On page 2, column 2, line 61 ... the border material is identified as SAE 430 stainless. This is a strongly magnetic grade. Perhaps the reproductions are made from the more common type 304 (non-magnetic) stainless ... worth a try. There's also lots of good material & plating info in this same subpargraph, although production release dwg may not be identical to patent.

http://ip.com/patent/US3314181

[Ron G.]

Re: Original license plate frames

Also note that the replacement frame rivets are also larger than the smaller originals. The originals are visibly smaller.

[Alan S.]

Re: Original license plate frames

Hi Kurt,
Here are 2 pictures of 1 of the rivets from my 71's original frames.
I hope they're a help to you!
Regards.
Alan

PS: I see now I should have slid that tape over to the left just a 'hair' !.

[Dick W.]

Re: Original license plate frames

I stand to be corrected, but I believe the original rivets were stainless steel, the later GM service replacements had a zinc or cad plated steel rivet.

[Ron G.]

Re: Original license plate frames

I am by no means a 1973 afficianado, and maybe I stand to be corrected, but I thought the 73's rivets changed in configuration than what the 68 - 72 cars are.

[Paul O.]

Re: Original license plate frames

Also the originals had a patent number stamped into 1 of the spring retainers holding the license in place. Later service and reproductions do not.


Paul 18046

[Russ S.]

Re: Original license plate frames

I am by no means a 1973 afficianado, and maybe I stand to be corrected, but I thought the 73's rivets changed in configuration than what the 68 - 72 cars are.

73's are the same as 72 at least they are on my sept 72 1973 which would be an early 73.
Original frames are stainless-magnetic with a .225 rivet dia on the outside and a .160-.175 squashed end of the rivet on the inside. This rivet is inserted from the outside and squashed on the inside.
Later service replacements from GM are also stainless magnetic and had a machined head square cornered rivet measuring .250 which was inserted from the inside out and squashed into a smaller .175 round head on the outside of the frame.
On my originals the spring tab with the patent numbers has a shiny zinc finish while the service replacements that I have which also have the pat numbers on the spring tab are a darker natural steel finish with a blueish tint. I don't have any repos so can't comment on them. I have been told they have a rivet that sticks out on the outside much farther than the originals and than the service replacements. If anyone has additional info please do inform us.

I should clarify. I said machined head rivet when I should say appears as a machined head. It may not have actually been machined but does look like one would look if it had been machined.

[David L.]

Re: Original license plate frames

Kurt..

The most noticable difference between the two are the rivets on the sides. Original ones are "flat" and the reproduction ones are pointed.

Because we don't remove the license plate and frame during Flight Judging you are not able to see the GM part # on the back. The part # is on one of the metal fingers holding the plate to the frame or near it.

Sorry I do not have a pic that I can "zoom" in on that would help.

I do not believe that the part number was stamped on any of the 3797485 license plate frames. I bought a pair of license plate frames (GM # 3797485 in Gr. 7.800) from my local Chevrolet dealer back in the early 1980's. The outside wrapper was the typical GM blue & white paper with the inside wrapper clear plastic. Each end clip is stamped "U.S. PAT. NO. 3,314181". The rivet heads are basically "flat" and measure about 0.22" in dia. The frames are very magnetic. GM # 3797485 made its debut in the 1963 Chevrolet Parts Catalog (Oct. 1962) and was used on 1963-1975 Corvettes as per my other vintage Chevrolet & Corvette parts catalogs. See link below for additional posts about the frames.

Dave

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthread.php?89439-63-License-plate-frames&p=577751#post577751

[Peter G.]

Re: Original license plate frames

Yes, Sorry I stand corrected. The number on the back metal fork is a Patent number and not a GM part number.

My bad.

[Sal C.]

Re: Original license plate frames

magnet won't stick to an original

[Sal C.]

Re: Original license plate frames

magnet won't stick to an original

Boy, getting old sucks! I should have said a magnet will only stck to an original.

[Ron G.]

Re: Original license plate frames

Thal,

I looked at my license frames tonight and what I seen was that the frames were magnetic, patent number faint, but on the support, and the rivets possess a slight crown and measure 3/16" in width. What do you guys think?