U.S. license plate on a doka from Germany

[jAndrew]

I searched for this and nothing, at least I could not locate anything on the topic.

Got my new to me Doka and trying to find a good way to mount the US plate on the Back. In Georgia and no front plate needed. Right now I bolted a piece of aluminum flat bar to the euro spaced holes and drilled holes in that plate for my GA plate.

Does not look good. Is there no commercially available plate holder that will do the job and look good? I have looked and found nothing so far. Aside from the holes being further apart there is just barely enough vertical space to fit under the lights and above the latch.

What do you doka owners do?

[Christopholi]

While I don't have a Doka, the ones I have seen seem to have it the same place as a regular van - Centred between the tail lights, and right under the 2 little license plate lights.
_________________
1988 Tintop Wolfsburg Special Edition - "Meatloaf"
RMW 2.5 Subaru, SubaruGears 5MT 4.44 w/LSD, Coast Mountain Hightop

[jAndrew]

Yes, that is correct. The European plate holes are around 16 inches apart where the US plates are much closer together. I know I could drill some more holes in the truck but would prefer not to. Even if I did I would need to repair the 2 holes for the Euro plates. As many cars are imported there must be a cleaner way than just drilling more holes?

[crukab]

I'd just make up a bracket out of some flat steel & call it good.
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Tom

My Pops:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=604100&highlight=
I know you will always be with me, rest in peace with no more pain. 8/13/14.....

In the yard right now:
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'11 Jetta Wagon

[0to60in6min]

for some reason the place holder already has 2 holes for the US license plate. The Doka is from Germany.
btw what's wrong to drill 2 holes on the plate holder?

[jAndrew]

Yeah, I did that. It looks just like I made a bracket out of flat aluminum and called it good- but it's not good enough.

Would like to hear from some doka owners with a different fix, although I am not hopeful there is one that will look good enough.

[0to60in6min]

how about getting one of this, mount it on the licence plate flap door and put your licence plate on it?

https://www.amazon.com/Original-Universal-License-...C1R713CCG3

[bajabones]

Mine came with holes from PO

[jAndrew]

[jAndrew]

[jAndrew]

[0to60in6min]

I think that plate holder has enough holes to fit whatever you need. Mine is similar to it but it's metal not plastic, 30 year old and some rust.

[jimf909]

This is the kind of thing that calls for a 3-D printed solution to change the design of the hatch from Euro plate dimensions to us dimensions. No matter how you slice it, us plates don't fit the Vanagon design and it shows.

Or you could do like DuncanS and rebuild the van to fit the plate...I recommend reading the thread to see what happened here...

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=8614293

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- Jim

[IdahoDoug]

For the Doka rear plate, seems like an opportunity to make a plate bracket that uses the Euro spacing, holds the US plate, and adds mounts for a rear fog lamp (red) plus a bright back up light as well. Make it complicated, make the vehicle better, and have fun!
_________________
1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader

[covelo]

I would remount the old European plate and attach the American plate to it. That way it's easy to get back to Europe if you decide to move there sometime.

_________________
'80 Vanagon Westfalia

'72 Bay Window Westfalia (with 2L AVP engine and dual solex carbs) -- sold in 2009

[4Gears4Tires]

This is a hilarious thread. So many solutions. There are about a billion possibilities here. So I am going to throw in my 2 garbage cents.

Drill 2 holes through the license plate to match the euro bolt spacing.
_________________
'87 Syncro
Ferric Oxyhydroxide Superleggera Edition

[bajabones]

Another NW Doka

[16CVs]

Definitely Not a Doka ! If keeping with common slang it is a "Sinka" or Single cab.

Stacy
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1987 Syncro Westfalia Triple knob (bastard)
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Call anytime number 650 722 4914 .
Keep Your van running and upkept tastefully for the love of the hobby.
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[bajabones]

I stand corrected
Let’s call it a NW water cooled truck

[jAndrew]