Hot Rods 32 RPU...Opinions on Front Plate???

OK...I'm up in the air on this one. Let me hear what you all think.

Option #1...No Front Plate.





Option #2...Front Plate on Stock Bracket.





Option #3...Front Plate Lowered and Leaned Back.





I kinda like parts of all 3...so I'm interested to hear some feedback.

Neal

 

NealinCA - I prefer it without a front plate (i.e., Option #1) ... but if you're gonna run a front plate, Option #3 would be my choice.

 

If you can drive legally without the front plate then lose it. If not option #3 is somewhat pallatable.

 

3 looks best to me, Neal.

 

In Pennsylvania we have no front plate, so I go with #1

 

i would go with no front plate if you can but if not option #3

 

Maybe behind the grille, below the radiator. Would be less noticable if licence plate was black.

 

I'll throw something else in...

I am going for a late 40's vibe...and a front plate seemed pretty common. And along those lines...I am also thinking about going up a tire size in the front.

Keep the input coming.

Neal

 

heres one of mine.
Al.

 

I like # 2 for what you're after. God, I love that truck.

 

put the plate on the garage wall.

 

Tis a big fine now if busted with no front plate Arny needs the cash ,
leaned back looks cool .I have it that way on my Roadster & Carol's Deuce Fordoor.I use the stock bracket but angle drill the spreader bar for the speed lean

 

No plate! It covers up Kilroy. Man that Kilroy thing is cool.

 

If Ahnold needs the revenue for more anabolic steroids why not do the lean but lean it WAY back. Put a stop on it so it only goes back so far but make it so it can rotate up? "Um sorry ociffer, it must be a loose clamp?"

 

Leave the plate on the wall,,it's a hot rod with no fenders,,less is more! HRP

 

I like the original mount.

 

what is the tire size on it, and what are you going up to?

 

5.00/5.25 Firestones and thinking about going to 5.50's. I have 3.5" front wheels, so I can't go to much bigger without going to wider wheels...but I think since this truck has such a big butt...it needs more rubber up front.

Neal

 

option #3

 

have it louvered

 

Fab a bracket that mounts in the crank hole...let the plate "float" between the frame rails.

 

If you have to run a front plate do it like mine !! Laid back on the spreader bar even with the frame horns. Acts like a Air Dam to shovel air into the radiator.

 

I feel for you on this one. you have such a NICE clean front end that the plate kills it for me. especially with the little killroy detail hanging behind the insert, nice touch. what I did on my 28 roadster when I was getting my car inspected in mass by a really tough station (they are all getting worse every year here, even on antique plates) I zip tied my plate to my front axle (you would need a more permanent bracket but it worked for the one day I needed it). it hid it pretty well and was still legal. IMO putting the plate behind the grill is still going to earn you a ticket/rejection sticker no different than if you didn't have one. That same cop that wants to bust you about a front plate will want to bust you about having it behind the grille.

 

I like the way that the stock bracket centers the tag in the space between the H/L bar and the front spreader bar. The lowered mount looks too street roddy for my tastes. (It makes me want to look for turn signals in the bar.)(Damn I hate those things!)



Not an original front mount but the spreader bar is.

I don't know about Calif. but out here in the 40s-50s we never would have gotten away with only a rear tag like we enjoy today. I keep mine under the seat just in case an officer gets a wild hair.

 

What he said! or if going ol skool try the Robert Williams look (from his painting) behind the grille and slightly crooked!Just kidding, your car is too nice for that.

 

couple other options.... I've seen in the past....

...bend the plate a bit and wire it right to the front of the grill bars, down low...

I had mine hanging off the headlight bar...

but have since moved it inside the grill

 

I recently asked a CHP officer about front plate enforcement, and penalties- he said they don't actively enforce it, and, if caught, its considered a "fix-it" ticket (minor fee). Second time, if not corrected, then a big fine. That said, I vote for #3. However, Neal has better taste than me, so whatever you pick will be bitchin'. (P.S. I like existing tire size, and everything else about that truck!)

 

I prefer option #1. If you're going for a certain look, however, do what they were doing in that era.

 

...seems to me if everyone runs a 7.50x16 on 4 inch wide wheels, you should be able to run up to a 6.00x16 tire on those 3.5 inch wheels with no problem.

 

I like the symmetry of option2. I also like it for the fact that it seems everyone tries to not run a front plate. Dare to be different, lol.

Also I would not mount it behind the grill.

Just my thoughts.