Relocating front number plate...

Anonymous · May 11, 2004, 23:45

ive been thinking for a while now about removing the front number plate, and having a sticker to put on the bottom of the boot lid like on some of the MX5's. i think it would look really good as i love the front bumper grille on the pre-03 2's!

would this be illegal as the angle is quite sloped and it would be quite difficult to read from a distance i suspect. or, id its not has anyone done this?

Anonymous · May 12, 2004, 07:35

Woodendummy had this on his yellow MR2. But as I recall, even then, the legaities were a little problematicaly. I think the main problem was that the law specifies a thickness for the registration place, and obviously a sitcker isn't going to be that thick.

zud · May 12, 2004, 08:36

I'm pretty certain it's only legal on cars of a certain age, or if they were originally designed/built that way. A mate of mine has had 4 MX-5s and only the first had the sticker. He hated the "real" number plate on the second (newer) car but couldn't legally replace it with a sticker.

Sam · May 12, 2004, 13:44

I did this a long time ago (over 18months). I haven't had any trouble from police etc. Only problem was when it came to MOT they failed it due to that - so I just added the front plate back on and it passed. s:D

s:D

PS. I then replaced front grille with a SS Mesh pelican racing one and must say it looks a whole lot better.

Anonymous · May 12, 2004, 13:54

Sam have you got any pics of this?

Anonymous · May 12, 2004, 13:58

i would love to see a pic!! s:P

s:P s:P

s:P

Comer · May 12, 2004, 14:07

Try here http://www.mr2roc.org/forum/viewtopic.php?p=2223&highlight=#2223

Anonymous · May 12, 2004, 14:29

thanks comer, not sure whether to go for it?

by the way, the centre piece mesh part of my grille is missing! it's j-spec, so could it be something to do with the way they mount the front plates over in japan? anyone else got a jspec and they're centre piece is missing?

Sam · May 12, 2004, 15:28

Comer beat me to it - that is really not a good pic (looks like its been put on by computer!) - I will see if I have a better one if you like.

THEMOSS · May 12, 2004, 18:50

I replaced my original grill with mesh a couple of weeks back. Instead of replacing the number plate back onto the plastic, i got a new one made up, normal size, and stuck it onto the bodywork just above the plastic grill using strong sticky pads so no future paint damage.
This means its been raised about 3 inches, but still faces forward. The top of it is flush with the bonnet lip below the Toyota badge (hope this makes sense!). It looks much much better because it draws attention to the grill making the car look 'meaner.' Also, because my car's lowered it seems to make it look even lower still. Would definately recommend this. Sorry no pics!

Anonymous · May 12, 2004, 18:53

do you not have a digi camera moss? s:(

s:( s:(

s:(

would love to see a pic

Bongo · May 12, 2004, 18:53

I was just looking at the front of my car today and thinking the same Moss. Does anyone know of other cars that have had this done?

THEMOSS · May 12, 2004, 19:26

Tom + Co,
Don't even go there about the digital camera! I can just about log onto a computer! s:oops: :oops: s:oops: Just lookin thru some past posts about how to post a pic so watch this space.
As i say, standard sized plate (tho in this case a rather snazzy '3D Domed' one from GT Graffix), stuck onto lip of bodywork. Looks cool. Shame about the mesh grill which i screwed up completely. Still, from a distance you don't see the bent metal and zip ties, urrrgh! Will have another attempt soon........

Anonymous · May 12, 2004, 19:59

what about these ones??
http://www.gtgrafix.com/index%20pages/low_profile.html
nice idea but they are a little pricey.

Anonymous · May 12, 2004, 22:24

saw them a couple of weeks ago, not too keen on them. are they even legal?

THEMOSS · May 12, 2004, 23:01

Theres no way those are legal. The lettering on them is the same as mine, but mine are on a proper sized plate. The jury was out until they arrived, but they do look very nice, as long as theres no slogans or flags on them. Don't like the ones on the link tho, far too Novaman. Funnily enough i saw some the other day, on a white bodykitted Corsa with neons. Need i say more........

Sam · May 13, 2004, 12:46

Heres a better picture..

Jap GT300 · May 13, 2004, 13:26

Heres a pic of my Old 2' with one but I prefer'd the cut down version below it!

Jap GT300 · May 13, 2004, 13:32

Quote from: "THEMOSS"Theres no way those are legal.

Of course they are legal. Currently the law only states that you need at least 15mm of reflective white backing aroung the digits of the registration mark.

MRMike · May 13, 2004, 13:36

Lovely TTE alloys Sam, car looks excellent.

Anonymous · May 13, 2004, 13:41

sam, that is the sexiest 2 i have seen in a long time!

im now thinking of swapping my silver 2 for a black one!!! i think you've just persuaded me to have a sticker as opposed to a proper plate in the grille, it makes the car look wider

Sam · May 13, 2004, 14:00

s:D

s:D Cheers Guys!

I must say the grille from Pelican Racing finishes it off - doesnt look anywhere as good with the standard plastic in there.

Jap GT300 · May 13, 2004, 14:07

Mine also had the PR grills but you can't see it as well as Sams.

MRMike · May 13, 2004, 14:07

Agree with Tom that the numberplate idea does give an impression of a wider front.

Off topic, are the alloys 17" all round? I presume they're quite heavy being chromed..?

Sam · May 13, 2004, 14:22

Yep they are 17"s all round, the weights of the standard and TTE are listed below:

Front 6.62Kg
185x55x15''
TTE 9 Spoke 10.5Kg
205x40x17''

Rear 6.89Kg
205x50x15''
TTE 9 Spoke 10.5Kg
225x35x17''

To be honest I was geared up for a major hit on acceleration when I put them on and I didnt really notice in the end, although I have got Unichip/lightweight flywheel etc so it kind of cancels out.

One thing to note is that I am getting some rubbing on the wheels under extreme conditions (due to the width rather than the diameter I think mph preiously pointed out a while back)(The wheels are 7.5" wide). I hope to improve on this by the sway-bars or failing that looking at changing the suspension altoghether. (Its pretty bumpy with the TTE springs and 17"s).