http://www.disastercenter.com/crime/US_States_Rate_Ranking.html This is a pretty good link. Although some crimes are higher in Tennessee, it is worth noting under Motor vehicle theft Tennessee is ranked 14th-15th and the state of Washington is 4th-5th. So much for front tags. Good Luck Gentlemen!!!
It might be easier to have a friend in the legislature propose a "no front plate" fee to be added on to the annual registration fee. That would show on the registration slip as paid and would be the exemption. A fee similar to a personalized plate fee and possibly a small but distinctive sticker to go in the corner of the windshield to signify that the fee had been paid. I know that a lot of street rodders would be willing to support such a thing a thing and it might keep all parties somewhat placated.
WHile I disagree with the fact that I should have to pay extra NOT to add something that my cars were not designed to have... this is actually a great idea! I'd pay the blackmail...errr...I eman fee to lkeep my car as it was intended.
That might have a better chance of passing in Oregon, actually, given the recent trend in raising license fees here. I wonder what the OSP's position would be? I somehow doubt my Portland rep or senator would care about this-- they'd be much more interested if I suggested that they propose outlawing all gasoline powered vehicles instead!
hey DAVE46 I like your idea. More money for Oregon. Exotic car owners/classic car owners happy. I will vote for you. michael brown
Well, I'm not running for office in either Wa or Or but just looking for a simple way to solve a problem for certain folks. If a bill were written up it should read that the intent was for exotics that did not come from the factory with provisions for a US spec front plate and or custom built street rods that were built with no provisions for front plates. It would not be for cars that do have provisions for front plates from the factory or were custom built with provisions for front plates. It could involve a special series of plates that signify that the car is an nfp registered car. A database of exotics that don't have provisions for front plates wouldn't be that hard to put together. The street rods would be on an individual basis and have to show that the car is primarily a show car and does not have the normal license plate mounting location (think Some of the Boyd Coddington style cars here). The guy who doesn't like a front plate on his Audi sedan is out of luck. In fact I would be out of luck with my customized 1948 Chevrolet pickup and I have been pulled over my fair share of times for no front plate.
Here is the reply I received today in response to my request for front plate exemption...... "This message is in response to your e-mail. Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 46.16.240 states in part, The vehicle license number plates shall be attached conspicuously at the front and rear of each vehicle . . . PROVIDED HOWEVER, that in cases where the body construction of the vehicle is such that compliance with this section is impossible, permission to deviate there from may be granted by the state patrol. . . . A waiver is only issued if it is not possible to affix a front license plate due to the body construction of the vehicle. If there is a license plate bracket which may be affixed to the vehicle allowing for the font license plate to be displayed, you will be required to install it on your vehicle whether or not it requires you to drill holes. If after researching you cannot find a license plate bracket that will work for your vehicle, you can apply for a front license plate waiver for your vehicle. These waivers are looked at on a case by case basis based on the original manufactured version of the vehicle and its ability to affix a front license plate. To request a front license plate waiver please write a letter articulating why you feel you should be exempt from the law, include a picture of the front of the vehicle and any additional information you feel would outline your case and send to: Washington State Patrol Equipment & Standards PO Box 42600 Olympia WA 98504-2600 Once the letter is received our office will research the availability of license plate brackets for your vehicle, review your case, and send you a letter with the decision. Thank you for your inquiry. Sincerely, Equipment" Doesn't seem like it's worth the time and effort in my case but I may pursue it regardless. I'm also looking for original '78 plates so I can register it as a "collector car" and not have to worry about it ever again. Given that the following statement is taken directly out of the '78 owner's manual I don't see how they could logically deny my request..."IT IS NOT ADVISEABLE the application to the front of the car any accessory which may restrict in any way the air intake to the radiator (bold highlight as printed in the manual)". That is assuming that anyone will apply logic to the question at all, or just blind obedience??
Jdubbya , Did you see this thread from earlier this year? http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showpost.php?p=137802822&postcount=34 I haven't been keeping up with "To Protect and Serve?" thread.
I must not have seen the thread you linked, but that was basically the same info Christie posted earlier in this thread. I did contact the lady who was listed, and the reply above was what I received yesterday. I'm going to write a letter and take a few pictures. If the Pantera and 512 are exempt I don't see why a 308 shouldn't be??
The way Mark explained it to me was that she will try to find out if the dealer stocks one, or if there are any after market vender's that produce a bracket. She will basically try to see if they are easily available, but she will not spend a whole lot of time looking for something that does not exist. If she can't find anything, she will issue a letter.
We shouldn't blame or focus on them as it will never be in their best interest to lobby for this type of change. As others have stated before, I believe LE want the front plate for revenue generation ( improved lasar targeting ). Yes, they should be hunting down the real crooks but that is a much bigger issue. I wish we had a better auto lobby,triple A seems to represent only senior and tax related issues. Most of us are auto club members and AAA is very influencial in the legislative process, they just don't seem to represent us! I see every session AAA single handedly kill the self-serve bills based on their elderly members opposition to pumping their own gas. We need to take a more active role as a club ourselves to influence the legislature directly and the existing auto lobby entities. I suggest we have a legislative field day as a club in both OR and WA once each Legislative Session to get our feet wet in the process and to eventually effect change. We would meet with our individual representatives of course and more importantly as a group with the AAA lobbyist and certain legislative leaders to show our unity and strength. Donations to key candidates/legislators can ensure access to those key players. Just a thought! P.S. I think it was Mark Rask (Author of American Autobahn) that compared the German Auto Lobby with our NRA. His book is a must read! Can we get him to one of our events?
Digging up a somewhat old thread..... I decided to send a letter to the State Patrol after the email reply I received above. The letter outlined my logic and included the warning from the owner's manual to not block off any portion of the radiator. I received the written reply today and it reads..... "..........Approval or denial of a waiver is based on whether or not it is possible to affix a front license plate due to the body construction of the vehicle. Ferrari has stated that there is a license plate bracket available for the 1978 Ferrari 308. Therefore, since it is not impossible to install a front license plate on your vehicle, your request for a front license plate waiver is denied."..... I guess that ends that discussion. I just wonder what their definition of impossible is and how the other cars made it on the list that was posted earlier? Can't blame a guy for trying but I'm still not putting the front plate on!! I'm still looking for a 1978 plate that will work and then I'll just register it as a classic and not worry about it any more! .
Yah, yet what if that bracket only works for Euro plates? Besides, I'd like to see the letter from Marranello to the WADOL that says that.
I was at the DMV registering another Shelby yesterday and the guy helping me was literally being extremely helpful. (amazing, I know) He gave me a business card for Paul Petrinovich, License Plate Collector / Historian, in Bremerton. Phone 360-432-3438. Email: [email protected] . Aparently he's a retired WSP officer who knows the law inside and out regarding collector vehicles / plates, etc and now has a business dealing in period plates for collector vehicles. I was told that he maintains a decent stock of period plates and guarantees that they are correct and will work with the car you're wanting to use them on. I haven't contacted him yet, but he might be able to help you find a plate for your car.
There are a whole bunch of these license plate collectors. Here is a good summary link: http://www.licenseplates.cc/links.php After I paid their prices I was over at Kerry C's and he mentioned that he had bought avintage plate for his 308 on eBay and when he said the price I knew I had overpaid.
Thanks for the info guys, I also have a number of a guy who is supposed to have a large collection of WA plates. I was hoping the exemption would go through and I wouldn't have to worry about it. I guess I'll start looking for that plate now!
I'm guessing that even though you have a permit, it will not stop the hungry trooper from pulling you over. You can show them your special permit, but it will be a constant hassle (just guessing). Some states only require a rear plate, which makes sense to me. I'm moving to New Mexico and they only require the rear plate as do most of the states around it. The cops are always behind you anyway Here's how I handled the front plate problem on my "2" http://www.muellersatomics.com/MR2/bumperbracket.html
I could of sworn they only needed the rear, but you are right. Here's a nice map showing what states are one and what states are two plate states http://www.worldlicenceplates.com/usa/US_XLPR.html
Interesting that Mass. is the only state that allows one or two. Does anyone allow it to be behind the windshield?
In Oregon you don't need to find a period plate in order to register it as a collector vehicle. I registered my '78 308 as a collector car - and when you do so, they only give you one plate, that goes on the back. Why don't you guys just do that? Wouldn't that solve everything? I'd say that would also shoot down the suggestion of an extra fee for "no front plate" permission...because they already have exactly that in place. It's called the collector car plate!
