| Author | Message | ||
| Frank Wiedmann (Frankieferrari)
Member Username: Frankieferrari Post Number: 643 Registered: 8-2003 |
I haven't ever even given it a second thought,to be honest with you! If I got pulled over,and the Police Officer told me that it was because of no front plate. I would be surprised,as,I never even think about it! And,especially in Chicago (city) They NEVER pull anyone over for little things like that. They usually are more concerned with dopeheads,guns,and gangs. | ||
| Tod Whitmore (Tod)
Junior Member Username: Tod Post Number: 95 Registered: 7-2003 |
Michael, Excelent story, i'll have to remember that one.... Whenever a cop is near me, i get real nervious myself about not having that front plate on the car. The other day, i was freaking, i was at an intersection in Hanover Park and there were about 5-6 police cars around me and i was sweating. I know they saw me as i sat there waiting for the light to change. But, got through there fine, i was able to breath again... HAH!! Then, last weekend after our Chicago cruise, my girlfiend and i were sitting at a light on Michigan Avenue, and here rides by a cop on horse back in front of us and he was looking down at the front of the car. Well, GULP, we thought he was going to say something, but i think he was just checking the car out.... My stories, but haven't been stopped yet, i;ll have to remember Michael's story and use that just in case.... | ||
| Michael Wogronic (Michael_fvm)
Junior Member Username: Michael_fvm Post Number: 93 Registered: 4-2002 |
Dan, congrats on the 550! I've been pulled over a few times in Lambos and Ferraris for things other than missing a front plate, but once they have you pulled over, they start to look for anything else they can issue a ticket for. I simply tell them that the car will overheat if a plate was mounted in front of the vent, and I then tell them that because of this, Lambos, Lotus and Ferraris have a "federal exemption" from needing a front plate because Lambos and Ferraris are built in so few numbers. Most local authorities don't know the technical design of the cars anyway, and assume you know what your talking about. It's worked every time.  | ||
| Frank Wiedmann (Frankieferrari)
Member Username: Frankieferrari Post Number: 640 Registered: 8-2003 |
I do,also,keep the other plate in my car,JUST IN CASE. Can always say that It fell off after hitting a parking curb/stop. But,the occassion has never arisen. | ||
| Dan VanVoorhis (Fivefiveo)
New member Username: Fivefiveo Post Number: 3 Registered: 10-2003 |
Thanks to all. My concern is that I had been stopped a few times in the past when I had a 993TT w/out a front license plate and my license was also taken - a real hassle. I will probably store one in the car somewhere, claiming that I have not yet received the bracket. | ||
| Andreas Forrer (Tifosi12)
Advanced Member Username: Tifosi12 Post Number: 2718 Registered: 10-2002 |
Frank, the mounting issue doesn't count: The Germans and Swiss are very STRICT about having that front plate. They don't give a dam about what your car looks. Hence on 308s they often bolt them onto the front wing (ugly) and on the F40 (in Germany only, outlawed in Switzerland) they use a full size 'decal' for a license plate to stick onto the front bonnet. Extremely ugly. I love this country! | ||
| Gisela Schulz (Rennmaus)
New member Username: Rennmaus Post Number: 2 Registered: 10-2003 |
We were pulled over by a Lake Bluff Police last year for not having a front number plate and fined $55.00, he retained H.'s driver licence and told us that we would get it back from the Police station on presenting the car with the attached number plate in front. Obayed this ( but fumed ). Took it off after getting the licence back. Since then, we keep the plate behind the seat. If we get pulled over, we can show it and tell them we have a special frame odered, as Ferraris dont come with a mounting bracket from the manufacturer. Unfortunately, there are still some overjealous cops out there!! | ||
| Frank Wiedmann (Frankieferrari)
Member Username: Frankieferrari Post Number: 639 Registered: 8-2003 |
Also,Dan. There really doesn't appear to be a place to even put a front plate on my 308...although,I have seen very,very few that actually do have them on. Also,on my vette,there's a front plate cover,that matches the rest of the front bumper,also giving the appearance that there isn't anywhere to affix a front plate. That is,of course,unless you run into a cop that owns one of these cars,and knows better! But,No,I have never had a problem in 18 years. And,unless there's one of those big,license plate size mounting plates on the front of the car,where it is very obvious that a license plate is supposed to be there. Then,it's not so obvious that there isn't a plate there. | ||
| Frank Wiedmann (Frankieferrari)
Member Username: Frankieferrari Post Number: 638 Registered: 8-2003 |
You know what,Dan. I have owned Corvettes since 1985,and still own one. And,a Ferrari 308 since Jan.2001. I never had a front license plate on any of the 7 'vettes,or the 308. And,I have never been pulled over for it...ever. I think that If you got pulled over for some other Traffic infraction,then,they'd add "No Front Plate" to the collection of tickets. But,I know quite a few Police Officers,and they all told me that it's just not that big of a deal. And,that they would never pull a car over for just that reason. But,a real "Pr*ck" would,or,an "overzealous rookie" might. | ||
| Andreas Forrer (Tifosi12)
Advanced Member Username: Tifosi12 Post Number: 2716 Registered: 10-2002 |
Never had that discussion while driving the Ferrari. Had it once on a previous car and had to pay $ 10. Not a big deal really. | ||
| Dan VanVoorhis (Fivefiveo)
New member Username: Fivefiveo Post Number: 2 Registered: 10-2003 |
I am a new F owner and would appreciate any "stories" that have been successfully used when discussing with the Boys in Blue the reason for not having a front license plate. Looking for good BS, I guess. |