TheSamba.com :: View topic - Advice for front license plate mount for my 50 standard

Mon Nov 20, 2023 6:20 pm

I don't want to drill holes in my bumper, and before I make some custom mount, I'm looking for advice for mounting a US spec front license plate on my 50 standard split. Thanks

Mon Nov 20, 2023 6:22 pm

Zip ties?

Mon Nov 20, 2023 6:33 pm

I don't have the heart to post link to the most hated aftermarket company..
But if you go to CIP1
https://www2.cip1.com/?utm_source=geotarget_from_ca&utm_medium=referral
and search front plate mount, you will find part C16-113-904 which mounts to the front bumper bolts. It's fine, I have used them on euro bumper cars.

Mon Nov 20, 2023 9:42 pm

https://limebug.com/product/beetle-front-bumper-licence-plate-brackets-for-blade-and-towel-rail/

While this one does have a custom appearance, would be hidden behind the plate and allows you to use existing bumper bolts. If you could fill the side holes in and paint it, it would probably look better on a stock car.

Tue Nov 21, 2023 3:44 am

another option is to make simple brackets that clamp the number plate to the bumper or these heritagepartscentre brackets that clamp to the edge of the bumper - the latter might damage the edge of the bumper though...

Tue Nov 21, 2023 9:25 am

Sorry I'm no help I'm a front license plate virgin.

Tue Nov 21, 2023 4:36 pm

I spent a long time working on a solution to the same problem.

I severely dislike drilling holes in my cars unless all avenues have been explored and I absolutely have to. Also plates attached with no support often become bent and ratty.

I didn't care for the manufactured brackets that were available.

I accidentally found myself in possession of a black front number plate mounting piece of plastic from a Toyota front bumper. Using pinch welt on the rear of the front bumper for protection I used two pieces of flat steel to clamp the assembly to the front bar.

Hope this may give you an idea to work with.

Pretty happy with it.

Tue Nov 21, 2023 6:23 pm

That is super interesting to use a plastic front mount...will think about how to make that work. I definitely don't want to drill oles or put something metal against my NOS-quality chrome bumpers on my 50, so something like you built seems like it would work well. Thanks

Tue Nov 21, 2023 7:21 pm

50Splitman wrote: That is super interesting to use a plastic front mount...will think about how to make that work. I definitely don't want to drill holes or put something metal against my NOS-quality chrome bumpers on my 50, so something like you built seems like it would work well. Thanks

You're welcome, looking forward to seeing what you end up doing.

Regards,

Mark.

PS. I hope Glenn was joking about zip ties. :D

Wed Nov 22, 2023 8:09 am

wouldn't a standard have had painted bumpers?

Wed Nov 22, 2023 12:17 pm

This is a Hoffman split that has the M codes for chrome bumpers, headlight rings, door handles.

Wed Nov 22, 2023 12:30 pm

Found a old front plate mount that I never used for a newer car. Used high-strength zip ties as the anchor which hid nicely in the spaces within the mount.

Yeah, it looks a bit too modern for a split, but it will work for now until I find something more period correct. At least it stops me from being pulled over in VA without a front plate.

For the previous comment - this is a Hoffman standard, although I have a deluxe hood mounted. It is NOS and has some surface rust and I plan to weld up the trim holes.

Wed Nov 22, 2023 1:04 pm

8) nice!

Wed Nov 22, 2023 2:56 pm

.

My ‘50 has the original plate, yes that is singular, front plate disappeared some time ago in the distant past before it got to me. Was pulled over once for failure to signal - he didn’t quite understand the semaphore thing, but I think it was more out of curiosity. He walked around the car, asked a bunch of questions, said thank you, be safe, and that was it. Excluding my ‘64 that has the front plate, I have never been pulled over for the lack of a front plate on my VW’s… because nobody cares. Hell, Volkswagen didn’t care enough to accommodate a front plate in the first place.

I’m going to assume you’re doing this to pass some sort of inspection, or roadworthy… good fix, when over snip the ties.

.

Wed Nov 22, 2023 8:20 pm

50Splitman wrote: Found a old front plate mount that I never used for a newer car. Used high-strength zip ties as the anchor which hid nicely in the spaces within the mount.

Wow! You knocked it out of the park :thumbsup:

Thu Nov 23, 2023 8:57 am

you could paint it to resemble bakelite and claim it's a period accessory... :lol:

Thu Nov 23, 2023 4:03 pm

markendee wrote: 50Splitman wrote: Found a old front plate mount that I never used for a newer car. Used high-strength zip ties as the anchor which hid nicely in the spaces within the mount.

Wow! You knocked it out of the park :thumbsup:

Thank you!