Mounting USA rear license plate on Euro model
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Mounting USA rear license plate on Euro model
I've seen a few references to this on here while searching for a solution, so I thought I'd post mine.
I tagged my Euro 635 today and it seemed I got "lucky" with the particular letter/number combo as the blank spots in the characters were in exactly the right spots. I could only fold the bottom side of my plate as the top side shows the state, but that left me free to fold up the bottom 1" or so of it. Using a piece of cardboard to make a template for the car's original license mounting holes, I transferred them to the plate and drilled them.
(Tag pic somewhat altered to foil cyberstalkers; yeah I'm paranoid :))
I'm thinking I'll probably paint the screws white to blend them in a little better. I'm not entirely happy with the result but it beats hanging the tag in the back window, and it's securely fastened, too.
Richard
I tagged my Euro 635 today and it seemed I got "lucky" with the particular letter/number combo as the blank spots in the characters were in exactly the right spots. I could only fold the bottom side of my plate as the top side shows the state, but that left me free to fold up the bottom 1" or so of it. Using a piece of cardboard to make a template for the car's original license mounting holes, I transferred them to the plate and drilled them.
(Tag pic somewhat altered to foil cyberstalkers; yeah I'm paranoid :))
I'm thinking I'll probably paint the screws white to blend them in a little better. I'm not entirely happy with the result but it beats hanging the tag in the back window, and it's securely fastened, too.
Richard
Some people think that a euro sixer should have the license plate full size but tilted to fit in the space provided. That seems so, so...lame to me. FOLDING the top portion and bottom portion of the USA plate is the only way to go in my quiet little opinion. At least you didn't make the mistake of actually CUTTING the USA plate at the top and bottom to fit the space provided like I did for the mounting of the front plate. It looked sort of like a "euro" plate. Now that is (was) a way to attract the police!
Here is what I did. This is a BMW part and allows the full plate to be used.
My wife was stopped in my last euro with the bent plate and was lectured about the plate. (so she says) She did not get a ticket so I am not sure what exactly transpired. She has a notorious driving style and the cops in some of our areas are known ball-busters.
An option for the plate screws is to use the little caps that cover the screws. The screws go thru a white washer and then the white cap covers the screw head. Available from most marine shops as they are used a lot with upholstery and trim and they are also available at Home Depot and Lowes.
My wife was stopped in my last euro with the bent plate and was lectured about the plate. (so she says) She did not get a ticket so I am not sure what exactly transpired. She has a notorious driving style and the cops in some of our areas are known ball-busters.
An option for the plate screws is to use the little caps that cover the screws. The screws go thru a white washer and then the white cap covers the screw head. Available from most marine shops as they are used a lot with upholstery and trim and they are also available at Home Depot and Lowes.
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Here is a pic of one of the caps on the spoiler. One screw is missing the cap so you can see the difference.
You can also notice the small spot next to the cooling duct. I think that is where I hit the wingless beetle that was trying to cross the road.
You can also notice the small spot next to the cooling duct. I think that is where I hit the wingless beetle that was trying to cross the road.
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jrcalvin wrote:Some people think that a euro sixer should have the license plate full size but tilted to fit in the space provided. That seems so, so...lame to me.
I fabbed up a bracket with some trimmed bits of Trex composite decking. It has held up fine for the past few years.
No lame' used
Joe M in WV
Nice solution, and honestly, I wouldn't doubt at all that they gave her an earful about the bent plate. Georgia seemed overly concerned about the county designation sticker on the plates, which always puzzled me, because for $15 or so extra you could get the wildlife plates which do not have the county sticker.alpinacsi wrote:My wife was stopped in my last euro with the bent plate and was lectured about the plate. (so she says) She did not get a ticket so I am not sure what exactly transpired. She has a notorious driving style and the cops in some of our areas are known ball-busters.
When I lived there it seemed like I was getting pulled over for every possible reason under the sun, including a "felony-style" stop just blocks from my home - guns drawn, surrounded by cars. I had done nothing. Not even speeding. Cobb County Georgia, I won't miss you!
Richard
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- Location: Corydon, IN
I tilted mine like some others here. I kinda goofed the bracket the first time. Threw it together in a hurry so I could be more legal for going to college. I'd like to redo it in aluminum. That could be my next project...hmm...
Wish I had pics to post, but no digital cam :?
Wish I had pics to post, but no digital cam :?
89 325is - good driveline waiting for a good body
85 635csi euro - hail storm victim
83 635csi - weekend warrior
85 635csi euro - hail storm victim
83 635csi - weekend warrior
I paid about $30 for my factory alum bracketAlex E24 E30 wrote:I tilted mine like some others here. I kinda goofed the bracket the first time. Threw it together in a hurry so I could be more legal for going to college. I'd like to redo it in aluminum. That could be my next project...hmm...
Wish I had pics to post, but no digital cam :?
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- Posts: 219
- Joined: Tue Dec 05, 2006 3:26 pm
- Location: Corydon, IN
Re: Mounting USA rear license plate on Euro model
Digging up an old thread….just moved to a new state and concerned about running no front plate. Any great ideas on a no-drill front plate mounting?
'85 M635CSi #64
‘08 535XiT 6sp
Sold '01 325XiT
(Formerly "Sixracer")
‘08 535XiT 6sp
Sold '01 325XiT
(Formerly "Sixracer")
Re: Mounting USA rear license plate on Euro model
Is there a tow hook accessible? If so you could build a bracket to attach there.
85 635CSi Bronzit
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- Posts: 48
- Joined: Wed Jul 18, 2012 9:31 pm
- Location: Vancouver, WA
Re: Mounting USA rear license plate on Euro model
I just squeezed the original tabs inward and drilled the Washington plates and screwed after I had trimmed the plate.
I researched the existing laws and found nothing wrong as long as numbers and state where intact. I trimmed the rear plate and cut the frame to fit
I researched the existing laws and found nothing wrong as long as numbers and state where intact. I trimmed the rear plate and cut the frame to fit
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80euro Csi
Re: Mounting USA rear license plate on Euro model
I ordered one of these universal brackets: https://www.ebay.com/itm/382621407257?h ... Swr~tb4eEV
After drilling some new holes in the "carbon fiber" plastic bracket, and flipping the mounting bracket over, i was able to bolt this up to my euro 635CSI and mount my U.S. license plate with no problems. A quick, cheap and easy solution to a vexing problem on the euro cars here in the U.S.
After drilling some new holes in the "carbon fiber" plastic bracket, and flipping the mounting bracket over, i was able to bolt this up to my euro 635CSI and mount my U.S. license plate with no problems. A quick, cheap and easy solution to a vexing problem on the euro cars here in the U.S.
Mike Gray
1985 635CSi - Alpine white/black, 5 sp.
1991 M5- Alpine White II/black,
1988 M5 - Euro bumper conversion
2013 Aston Martin Vantage V8, MT, white/chestnut,
2011 M-B E350, 1989 Alfa Romeo Milano Gold, 2014 Porsche 911 7MT w/aero kit, 15K
1985 635CSi - Alpine white/black, 5 sp.
1991 M5- Alpine White II/black,
1988 M5 - Euro bumper conversion
2013 Aston Martin Vantage V8, MT, white/chestnut,
2011 M-B E350, 1989 Alfa Romeo Milano Gold, 2014 Porsche 911 7MT w/aero kit, 15K
Re: Mounting USA rear license plate on Euro model
Cut a notch on the top center to go around the truck latch.
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1980 635 Euro
Under restoration
Under restoration