Sooner than later I'm going to have to mount the dreaded front Ontario LP. As my TTA has never has a front plate on it, the cover is not drilled. I also did not get a factory bracket with the car. I'm thinking a bracket bolted on to the bolts below the front cover might work. Anyone else installed a plate mount front under the front bumper cover ? Just can't bring myself to put holes in a mint cover, but don't want to install something that I'm going to end up scrubbing.
TurboTransAm.com
Register today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.
TTA Front License Plate Mount
- Thread starter Snowman
- Start date
kymmee
Silver Member
I do have the Altec "Show N Go" plate bracket on all my cars. You do have to drill 3 small holes underneath, but it is hidden very well. If you have a virgin car-you might want to think a different route. I really like mine and have the manual version. They also have a remote control one, but you have to wire it into the electrical system. Heres a couple pictures.
http://s978.photobucket.com/albums/ae265/fancyone/1982 MSE/?action=view¤t=IMG_1647.jpg
http://s978.photobucket.com/albums/.../1982%20MSE/?action=view¤t=IMG_1648.jpg
http://s978.photobucket.com/albums/ae265/fancyone/1982 MSE/?action=view¤t=IMG_1647.jpg
http://s978.photobucket.com/albums/.../1982%20MSE/?action=view¤t=IMG_1648.jpg
I put 2 aluminum L brackets I fabbed up so I could use the existing bolts under the car. I didn't want to drill any holes. I am sure the flip up plate holder can be mounted to something to use existing hardware.
That looks like what I had in mind. Were you able to use the existing bolts or did you have to put a plate inside the cover bottom to fasten too ? I had to drill my 25th TA as there was just no way around it, but the 20th has bolts along the bottom of the cover, they don't seem to be fastened to much else than the rubber & cover material. That is why I was thinking of trying to put a threaded plate inside, then bolt the aluminum angle brackets to the plate.
I think one of the flip plate mechanisms would just get hit as the TA is low enough for that to be a concern without anything else hanging below the cover.
2QUIK6
Well-Known Member
Might check your local laws on plates for vehicles that are 25 yrs old. Here in TX, 2 plates are supposedly required, but if the vehicle is registered as an antique vehicle, only 1 plate is given...just a thought since they will be 25 yrs old in 2 years....and FYI, I've never had a front plate on any car I own and have only been stopped twice for it in 27 years and was only given a warning each time. Told one officer that the front of the car was swiped in a wreck and the plate and frame were mangled, said I was planning to mount it when I was issued new plates again 
It's manditory in Ontario, $110.0 fine for fail to display two plates. Have heard of a few guys getting warnings, but I think that is pressing my luck to keep driving it without a front tag, sooner or later I'll draw attention from the wrong Cop & be out $110.0, so time to put it on.
8289ta
Silver Member
I used the two front bolts on the bottom cover. IIRC - I think I used a small nut and bolt. I did not want to get the incorrect threads and mess up the holes in case I ever put the original bolts back. I used a piece of aluminum that was wide enough to catch the holes in the license plate as well as the bolts under the car. I bent it up, mounted it to the plate, and then lined up the holes on the bottom and drilled those. After I had the brackets mounted to the plate, I put weatherstrip along the back of it so it would not contact the paint on the car.
My original intentions were to get a show and go plate and make a mounting plate for it, but I needed something right away so I could drive the car, and I just haven't gotten around to my original idea.
SouthBaySurfer
Well-Known Member
I had an aluminum bracket made and use the 2 existing bolts; 5 years and no problems. Easy to remove and re-install for shows and such.
kymmee
Silver Member
I think not having a front plate and a good looking car makes it more likely to get cited in my area. I know of 3 people who have gotten tickets. Its $120 fine. Part of it is probably to create more revenue, since times are tough for local departments. I drove the car for awhile without one but just ended up conforming for the sake of the law. I guess you do what you gotta go.
I ended up using the OEM factory setup ... I know I know I had to drill those 4 holes ... but prefered a factory style setup when I did mine.
robert lee
Gold Member
Funny story, when i was having all them problem's getting #308 to pass emission's one day i was driving around getting the car hot for another test when i seen a cop in the rearview moving at a high rate of fuel consumption and i thought hell here we go, i was on a 4-lane road right lane when he comes up behind me and jumps in the left lane and slow's down hanging at my rear bumper, stay's like that for a mile or so then slowly passes me and the cop in the pass. seat throw's his hand up as they pass by, whats so funny? the tag was expired 3 months prior because i couldn't pass emissions so i guess they was so busy looking at the car they didn't notice!:dance:
It's easy money for LE to tag you for not have two plates displayed & they usually do around these parts. One can always hope they ditch the front plate requirement, but not likely in Nanny State Ontario. I'll be back in Carlisle PA in a few weeks & see if there are any types of under mounted plate holders available before I make up something.
