Front license plate bracket for 328?

It's a nationwide issue among the states that require them.

We're catching big heat in Texas, too. That's why all the recent threads.

My recent purchase has fairly simple, two angle clips drilled thru the top bar of the grill. If you don't want holes I guess you could clamp it to the bar with straps.

Good luck.

If it's any consloation I went thru a recent roadblock here.

They stopped me because of the missing plate, which I had handy to show, and got a warning on that. My insurance card was not current though the policy is, and I was cited for that, to appear in court today for dismissal.

As I drove away, I realized the plates themselves (windshield sticker update) were expired as of five days ago! Went downtown immediately, to renew.

So the ticket they wrote was for the only charge I can get readily dismissed.

 

Here is the position of the front plate on my 328.

Ciao

Eugenio

 

A front plate is required here in Washington state as well, but I've not heard of too many people pulled over only for not having the plate. My car doesn't have the same radiator problem since it's not in the front, but I wouldn't be able to bear putting one on just the same. My car is black, so I don't stick out quite so much which probably helps.

My philosphy is that, if they gave me the option of paying $80/year to not have a front license plate, I'd probably pay it. But I've not been pulled over (yet) for it so I might not be so defiant if it had happend to me. I guess it all depends on whether you think they'll get you again as to whether you just pay it and hope for the best in the future, or you put a bracket on. How many years have you driven around without one before being stopped? If it has been several, maybe it will be several more before it happens again. If that's the case, I'd say it might be worth the price.

Just my 2 cents.

 

I read a post either here or on another forum about this subject. The owner took his plate to Kinkos, made a reduced sized color copy, laminated it, and mounted it with velcro to minimize the damage to the car. The plate was only slightly smaller and he had not had any trouble with the law. You might search the archives and find the picture of the plate. It looked pretty good as compared to the full sized plate.

I thought this was a pretty ingenious idea.

 

That's Dr. Tax.

I have done the same for intercity travel, but I don't know of anyone that has passed the "DPS Guy Test", yet.

It may be considered fradulent to Xerox state issued items. Who knows??

I'm giving up and bolting the things on. I don't need the scrutiny from "Officer Friendly."

 

We have the same issue here in Illinois, need a front plate. I haven't been stopped yet, but i keep my front plate under my seat, if i see a cop and suspect he is looking for my front plate, i reach under my seat and throw it on the dash board....

Another thing i was told that may get you out of a ticket, just tell the cop this is an exotic automobile and they are exempt from a front plate, he will have to think about that and maybe he will let you go. There is also the approach telling him the front bracket is on order from Italy, it takes some time to get it....

I would just tape your plate to your front bumper, take a picture of it, go to court and show the picture to the judge, that should get you off for that, hopefully...

What i hate is seeing other cars that have a bracket on their car and no plate and they are getting away with it....

 

I have a similar problem with two of my cars. Over the past 15 years, I've received 1 ticket and two warnings. When I am pulled over, I tell the officer that a front plate mount is not readily available for the car and show him the plate sitting in the trunk. Usually the officer is understanding.

Regards,

Art S. 7919

 

All you need to do is make a bracket. Now that you are tagged you will get hit fo $80 everytime you are caught after you pay the ticket. It cost $100 a shot up here.

 

Check your vehicle code for the infraction, it should be available online. In california, the code only says the front plate must be "firmly attached to the vehicle". Doesn't say how it needs to be attached. So... if your code is as vague, print a copy of it, use ZIP TIES to attach it to your grill, and get the ticket signed off. If necessary, present the printout of the code to the officer signing it off to show that it does not designate screws or brackets, only that it is firmly attached.

Then once said officer is out of sight, use scissors to cut the zip ties off and be on your merry way. Carry spare zip ties and the printout of that vehicle code in your glove box in case you get pulled over for it again.

I usually just argue my way out of it now... honesty will actually get you somewhere sometimes! I ask the officer if it's really worth his time to write the ticket since I'm just going to ziptie the plate on, get the ticket signed off, and take my plate right back off again. When asked why, I simply respond because it's ugly. 9 times out of 10 the officer just lets me go, since I've announced my intentions, and indicated that the ticket was no big deal and hence useless of his time.

 

I got off a ticket for driving the wrong way down a badly sign posted road by photographing loads of other drivers doing exactly the same thing. I argued I was being made a scape goat. You could try protesting yours in court and showing pictures of others cars that weren't ticketed. (It might have helped that the judge was pretty cute (female I hasten to add). A smile goes a long way)

 

Check this out...http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=20769

I also found out (through the help of some of the Rossa members) that there are twenty states the currently don't require a front plate.

 

Altering, defacing, covering, duplicating an official state lic.plate is in fact illegal. Copying the tag and shrinking it falls within the statute. If caught, you are facing a much bigger fine than not displaying a front tag. Also, protesting and arguing with law enforcement is not recommended...while some may say they have had success, more often than not, arguing will get you a ticket and make you and your car marked. I'm originally from NJ where the State Police is very strict. I always kept the front plate within arms reach. When stopped I produced the plate and stated there is no front bracket made for my car (308). Never had a problem since I was able to hand the front tag to the trooper without having to get out of the car.

You can tell your local police the same thing or tell them you have ordered a bracket from the factory in Italy, and since your car is not current production, the factory informed you that they will have to make a bracket for you...but since it is an older car, it is not a high priority for them...but you are awaiting it's arrival.

Again, keep the tag with you (behind the passenger seat for example).

Since you live in a small town, make an appointment to see the Chief of Police. Appeal to his/her sence of fairness and hope he/she likes exotics. This could help.

Let me know how you make out.

 

If you get zip ties (as previously suggested) that are long enough to get around the front grill...you should be fine. Put it in the corner or bottom and you will not have any issues with air flow or overheating. The 328s corrected the problems of 308s running hot...(stronger fans, better radiator...compare the radiator to that of a 308...328s are angled for better air flow).

If you take your Ferrari to a show, just cut the ties when you get there and put new ties on when you leave.

 

PROBLEM SOLVED

OK, to start off, nobody hates a front plate more than me. I've been lucky I guess. In my town I have never been pulled over for it, only been ticketed when it's sitting which is only like $15, so no big deal. But for you guys not so furtunate I did some work on the problem this weekend and this is what I came up with.

The principal I came up with is "Reduce" "Tone Down" and "Hide".

Do this:
1-Get a custom plate. It will annoy you less if it's a custom plate up front to begin with.
2-On the 328 example shown below, begin by bending the plate as shown on the cardboard mockup, if you intend to mount it on the spoiler.
3-Then put electrical tape accross the top and bottom covering as much plate as you think you can get away with. This is of course subjective, and you can begin by taping a lot, then if there's still trouble reduce the coverage incrementally.
4-Finish by wraping the whole perimeter with electrical tape. This will reduce the overall size including width by 1/4".
5-Using long fine bolts, fasten the plate through the spoiler as shown below.
6-Finally, get some tinted plexiglass like they sell with those plate frame packages, and bend it the same way and stick it on with Goop. This will tone the whiteness down.

I think if you do this you will be ignored.

I have also posted another picture if you were to cover or trim the plate and mount it over the grill. It's more integrated in the design, and I imagine enough air will get in under the bumper anyway. I think it doesn't look that bad.

Hope this helps.

Wes
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Cincy,

Do you have Ohio collector plates? The Ohio BMV goes by three publications to determine whether or not a car is a Collector car, and a Ferrari is a "Collector Car" by definition in Ohio.

I've never been stopped, and it might help that the plates are Collector plates. I doubt that all law enforcement people know what the law is concerning collector plates.

You get two in Ohio... but I only put one on.

Bob
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In florida they dont require a front plate. Was thinking of getting a custom plate and mounting it in one of those plate brackets that house the radar detector antenna. That way would'nt need anything sitting on the dash.
Just thinking tho.

 

I recently took two stainless steel straps and clamped them on the lowest grill bar, padded with 3M non corrosion tape....bent one (longer) down 90 degrees to form mounting holes.

Works for public roads, doesn''t block airflow too badly...It did block the Goodyear logo on the front lip spoiler......

Hung the plate and frame...viola!

 

CincyKen: did you attach the plate yet? How did you decide to do it? I too live in Cincinnati and likely in the same small village where you got your ticket. My "new" 1988 328 will arrive from California in about two weeks so read with interest about your hassle. I regularly drive both a 996TT and 745 in the area without front plates and have never been hassled. Maybe the Ferrari is just too attractive to blend in.

Anyone know what happens if you get caught repeatedly for the same infraction? In Ohio, this offense is a minor misdemeanor with max fine of $100. I just look at this as a luxury tax. Can you just pay the fine each time or does some other legal entanglement result from multiple offenses?

 

I guess the Judge was correct!! You can now go back to using his excuse about the front plate falling off next time you get pulled over.