Customs Frenched License Plates... Yay or nay?

Anybody have pics of theirs ? Not sure if I love em or not....

 

Absolutely YES!....on the right car. Here is a crappy picture of mine on the '35.

 

for your '51 Chevy or ?

 

It all depends on the car's custom features that "go with the frenching."
http://www.customcarchronicle.com/custom-history/inset-license-plates/

 

I totally agree,it depends on the car.

Personally,I tend to think of the french-ed tag as more of a modification for customs but I have seen it on hot rods with mixed results. HRP

 

an almost useless mod in my opinion
reminds me of mini trucks
but that and $5 will get you a coffee at starbucks

 

There are mini trucks around here with 'em...but they all look like the last thing done.
(they're all diagonal, in one corner...look like the final operation on a bondo binge!)
Creativity breeds faddism.

 

I agree. Using a square corner rectangle on a car that is entirely rounded is not right. I may not be clear. Dont mix square with round. Remember when square headlights came out and people tried to customize round cars from the 30s and 40s and 50s with them? It doesnt work.

 

Recessed plates? But of course................. then again, I build my cars to please myself.--- Selfish ,I know.

 

nothing wrong with pleasing yourself I guess you guys have any tag/tail light height requirements?

 

License plate ...??? You don't need no stickin' license plate !!!

 

This is my sedan and the builder thought a frenched tag would look good,I'm not sold on the look but I'll let the next owner make up his mind whether it stays or goes. HRP

 

At the risk of seeming to be outspoken, I think they scream "Street Rod". Just my personal opinion.

 

Would you hang a tag on your rod at all if the government didn't make you? If you build a hot rod to be nonconformist, it would not follow to create such a special place for the tag, unless you're just trying to minimize its presence.

The legal ability to run year-of-manufacture tags is great because it allows us to be nostalgic while being legal.

 

Asking permission? No.

 

Depends on the application and how the rest of the car is finished, IMO.
That sedan of mine was no streetrod, that's for sure! Low buck build, BUT it did have a 4 spd., went down the highway at 70 straight as an arrow, and was a ton of fun. I put a tag off a Buick Roadmaster on the back that said "Estate Wagon"- it's all about not taking shit to serious to me- I gotta do that at work all week!

^^^^^^^And Fred's right, it's better to ask forgiveness, than permission!

 

I'm in two minds as well, my 46 coupe has a frenched in rear plate, it was already done when I got it. I have a spare boot lid that I have been thinking of painting replacing it with one day??

 

LOL..and it helps relieve built up tensions,,LOL

 

Like some have said- I think it depends on the car- typically a mod for 'customs' but can't say it doesn't look ok on a hotrod when done in the overall context of the car.

 

I personally do not like them unless they are radius cornered. I am not crazy about a trunk mounted plate. I like the bumper location with a guard if it has a bumper . But I guess in a few cases I do like them just not with square corners.

 

That article by Rik nails it. Look at the inset plates done by Westergard.
It's all in the execution.
There's a world of styling difference in the vintage custom rounded corner version vs. the more contemporary sheet metal box.

IMHO, they look best on late 30's-late 40's cars. Round cars with rounded corners. They look even better (bonus points) on the vintage large size late 30's- early 50's license plates.

 

It works well on this car. Light wires run inside hinge tubing.

 

I like them.....but agree, some just don't look right..
Usually location I think..

 

I give a big thumbs up, YES.

 

I don't know it probably depends on if you get caught pleasing yourself or not. I understand that franklin wrote a book on the subject though.


Frenched plates can be done quite tastefully or not this one is a little tacky. I don't care much for this one.




But I like this one real well although I think I would like it better of the car were maroon.

 

Don't be this guy:

 

Hmmmm.....^^^^^ "Tha'ss what I'm talkin' 'bout..."

 

I agree with the square corner thing, just doesn't look as nice as rounded corners. When I did mine, all the ones I saw were just square boxes, and I figured I could make that. Found one from Watson's Street Works that was pre-made, with radiused corners, and was about as cheap as I could buy the sheet metal. Done deal.

 

I think it works with a year of manufacture plate best because of the size and rounded corners. Some of the period custom cars had a glass or plastic lens over it to keep the smooth profile of the car and that really looks nice. But a sharp cornered box sunk in with a new modern license plate is not the way to go IMO.

 

from the factory. not mine, but depends on how tasteful the application is done.