Front License Plate Mounts

quote:

Was there ever a stock mount for early cars?

Yes. The license plate bracket attaches to the bottom of the right front bumper and hangs down. The bumper has two holes in the bottom for attachment.

Here's a link to a replacement bracket:

http://www.panterapartsusa.com...l.cgi?prod_id=22002B

Not sure if it will help because it's a '71 not a '74, but this is the only front plate I recall seeing on a Pantera.

I'm sure you could simply mount using minimal 90 degree brackets from the underside of the '74 bumper.

Mark

I'm really into all things "original" for the Pantera, but a front plate on a Pantera looks like a "Buck-Tooth"! Laws vary from state to state, but maybe there is a "Collector", "Historic", or some vintage plate that isn't required for both ends of the car. I've used a Collector plate on the rear only for 30 years with out being stopped.
If the cops do stop you, just tell them the darn plate keeps blowing off at 150MPH

quote:

Originally posted by racerdave:
I'm really into all things "original" for the Pantera, but a front plate on a Pantera looks like a "Buck-Tooth"! Laws vary from state to state, but maybe there is a "Collector", "Historic", or some vintage plate that isn't required for both ends of the car. I've used a Collector plate on the rear only for 30 years with out being stopped.
If the cops do stop you, just tell them the darn plate keeps blowing off at 150MPH

I agree, just wait and see if you get a fix it ticket. Here in CA I see ricers all the time with plates placed on the dash...legit or not, I don't know.

...I was told by the 'local athorities'; if You receives 2 plates from the DMV, then You must mount both of them! I received 2 and have never mounted the front one. I have yet to be pulled over! (knock on wood) I too, think it looks ugly!...

...Plus it would 'scrape bottom' everytime I drive in and out of My driveway, and hit speed bunps etc...

Some States have taken an enlightened view on old collector cars. 10 yrs ago, the Nevada DMV passed a rule that said no front license plate was needed on 'historic' cars, especially if no mount was ever provided by the mfgr. Those hokey mounts shown were dealer-provided. I carry a copy with me in our Pantera, in case I run into a write-the-ticket-and-let-the-judge-sort-it-out cop. Copies of the thousands of DMV rules for each state are still free in each DMV office. Be careful in finding out the hard way: in cash-broke CA, I'm hearing that a "fix-it" ticket now costs up to $200!

Thats my concern there, Bosswrench! With the economy the way it is, I hope I can put gas in this thing!
I think I'm gonna do what I did with the Europa (until I got the ticket) Just keep it with me and see what happens. Wish me luck!

quote:

Originally posted by firstpantera:
After a 2 3/4 year total rotisserie resto I'm ready to register and insure my car, a 74 done basically very stock. My concern is the podunk little town I live in and the local police with nothing to do pulling me over for no front plate.(it happened to me once in my Lotus Europa)Was there ever a stock mount? I've removed the stock bumper and have fiberglass replicas of the early ones on it. Was there ever a stock mount for early cars?

Here is a picture and one to follow of a Pantera L front license plate bracket. I bought #5606 last year from the 2nd owner who had the car for 29 years. He gave me some spare items, and the bracket was one of them.

One set of holes lines up with those on the backside of the front bumper and the other holes line up with the license plate.

and picture #2

Kerry, your plate bracket isn't all there. Someone removed the L-brackets. You can see where they were spot welded. It looks like the bracket got a bit of a "haircut" too.

This bracket is for my 72 Pre-L. The bracket for a 74 is slightly different in that "L" portion that mounts to the underside of the bumper is the same length. Earlier cars with "bumperettes" used the staggered design.

Running lawless in Minnesota with just one plate

quote:

Originally posted by racerdave:
Kerry, your plate bracket isn't all there. Someone removed the L-brackets. You can see where they were spot welded. It looks like the bracket got a bit of a "haircut" too.

Racerdave,

Your bracket would not work on my car for a couple of reasons.

For one, yours is too wide. Mine obviously looks like it has gotten a trim but it needs it to fit just inside the rubber bumper support that runs lengthwise towards the body and just inside the turn signal lens.

Secondly, the outermost holes drilled in the top of the bracket (positioned horizontally) line up perfectly with the pre-drilled and recessed holes in the backside of the bumper. The outermost holes on the lower portion of the bracket line up perfectly for the license plate.

My guess is that deTomaso may have taken a pre L front bumper bracket and butchered it up to make it fit on a L type bumper. I am only speculating because I am anything but a Pantera know-it-all.

I never really looked at Pantera L front plate, but this is what Wilkinson shows.

I guess it won't matter to firstpantera. I re-read his post. He has a 74 car, but early style bumpers.

That is the dilemma I am in,RacerDave. Do I hang it below the turn signal? I dont want to drill holes in the signal housing. Unless I create a bracket that goes behind the signal housing and hangs it right below the signal. i really dont want it in front of the rad opening either.

Do have 2 pre drilled recessed holes behind the bumper on the RH side of the car and just inside the turn signal lens housing?

You could consider getting a 'Historic' plate.....

NEW JERSEY STATUTE 39:3-27.4. Historic motor vehicles; registration, license plates, display. "Historic motor vehicle" shall mean any motor vehicle which is at least 25 years old and which is owned as a collector's item and used solely for exhibition and educational purposes by the owner. Any owner of an historic motor vehicle who is a resident of this State may register such motor vehicle under the provisions of this act. Application for registering an historic vehicle shall be on forms prescribed by the director. Upon proper application and payment of the prescribed fee, the director shall issue a special nonconventional registration and special license plate for each historic motor vehicle registered in this State. Such registration and license plate shall be valid during the period of time that the vehicle is owned by the registrant. The fee for such registration and license plate shall be $25.00. The license plate shall bear the word "historic" and shall be of such design and colors as the director may determine. Notwithstanding the provisions of R.S.39:3-33 or any other law to the contrary, an owner of a vehicle registered as an historic vehicle, or any vehicle manufactured before 1945, shall not be required to display more than one special license plate issued for that vehicle, which plate shall be displayed on the rear of the vehicle.

If you go this route, print a copy of the statute and carry in your glove box for any over zealous Cop that might stop you.

Julian

Julian, where did you find that tender little tidbit of information? I looked but could not find it! When I pick up my plates this week I will speak to the DMV staff and make sure this is still applicable, and as you ssaid, bring along a copy of the statute. Thanks.

I found it with a search at the N.J. Permanent Statutes database here;

http://lis.njleg.state.nj.us/c...hits=2&x=41&y=14&zz=

Julian

I put mine on the rad grill with zip ties, work no probs. Down under you have to run both plates as well. We do have a slimline option, so I went that for the front.
I know the front one is so far recessed it is hard to see, but at least the authorities can see I have put in an effort.There was no way I was going to mount it hanging from the front.

I've seen these on other cars. Pretty cool....
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...7C39%3A1%7C72%3A1171
Will

Need to move to one of the southern states where the convicts are so tired from working the chain gang in the 100 degree heat and sun they are too tired to make front plates.

Mike