[pikeman]

I noticed three dimples in the front of the car where a plate would mount. I'm not keen on having holes drilled in the car and wonder if anyone has located an aftermarket bracket. Rev9 already has two alternatives for the ND Miata, given the similarity between the cars I wonder if there is any cross-over between the cars. I don't want to carry the front plate on the dash or pay the $150 fine either.
Pete

 

[FSpidie]

One car I had, I didn't want to drill holes in the front, either. I used some stiff, twistie-type things, with one end wrapped through the upper part of the lower grill, the other end wrapped through a mounting hole in the plate. One twistie per mounting hole of the plate.

Something similar to these:

http://www.precision-camera.com/nite-ize-6-gear-tie-pkg-2-yellow/?gclid=CMKIvID4ys4CFYGHaQodDNoMCw

You can get them in different colors at the big box home improvement places. They're stiff enough they also serve as a bracket, when you run them up the back of the plate, to get to the plate's mounting hole. I believe I had to enlarge the plates holes a little to get the twistie through it.

I'd think you could do something similar for the Spider, by coming-up from the lower grille. Something to consider if you can't find an aftermarket bracket.

 

[pixture]

I did not want to drill holes too. So I ended up with like the picture.
I bought plastic license plate bracket at Amazon ($9) and attach it to lower grill using zip ties.

 

[LongBeachJim]

There is a retractable bracket, operated by remote, which hides the plate. This photo is of one on Ebay advertised to fit the 124.

Personally, I've driven without a front plate in California for over 20 year despite the law. But if they ever start cracking down, I'll get one of these.

 

[Chipshot]

I like the plate in front of the lower grill better than on the bar separating the upper and lower grills.

No front plate is one of the perks of living in Michigan.

 

[FSpidie]

I did not want to drill holes too. So I ended up with like the picture.
I bought plastic license plate bracket at Amazon ($9) and attach it to lower grill using zip ties.

That's similar to what I did on another car. With the stiffer twisties, you can bend them upward and adjust to place the plate where you prefer, pretty much over the bar between the upper and lower grill, if desired.

 

[vandor]

I wonder if the plate in front of the lower grille would block some air from entering. People with intercooled cars usually do not want anything blocking the grille opening, so as much air as possible goes to the intercooler. We are working with another company on a mount that places the plate to the side. It uses the tow hook mount. See pic for the test version. The final one will be slightly different.
PS.: I found that plate in a Georgia junkyard about 20 years ago.

 

[Stewie]

I wonder if the plate in front of the lower grille would block some air from entering. People with intercooled cars usually do not want anything blocking the grille opening, so as much air as possible goes to the intercooler. We are working with another company on a mount that places the plate to the side. It uses the tow hook mount. See pic for the test version. The final one will be slightly different.
PS.: I found that plate in a Georgia junkyard about 20 years ago.

That's always my goto for mounting a plate. Relocation kit saves the day without doing any damages at all

 

[Wny124]

I've driven 11 years in NY without a front plate. They don't have one in neighboring PA. I think they just assume I'm a PA driver. Anyway, I've never had a problem. I rather pay the fine than ruin the front of the car.

 

[vjamison812]

I'm from Texas and don't like that I need a front license plate but it is what it is.. @Stewie "what is a relocation kit?"

 

[vandor]

A relocation kit is what holds the plate on the car in the pic I posted above. It screws into the tow hook receptable, so one does not have to drill holes into the body.
Usually they are model specific. One is being developed for the Spider. The one for the Miata does not work.

 

[Ladnerite]

lower grill license plate

I did not want to drill holes too. So I ended up with like the picture.
I bought plastic license plate bracket at Amazon ($9) and attach it to lower grill using zip ties.

Do any of you technical guys feel that there will still be enough airflow to the cooler behind this grill?

 

[Chipshot]

Do any of you technical guys feel that there will still be enough airflow to the cooler behind this grill?

Perhaps some louvers in the license plate?

 

[vandor]

> Do any of you technical guys feel that there will still be enough airflow to the cooler behind this grill?

For a stock car I am sure it will be fine, as they design the car knowing it will have a front plate. But from a high performance standpoint one want to get as much air in there as possible.

 

[Stelvio]

The front plate holder you should have gotten with your car, attaches to the bumper with three pop rivets. You are supposed to drill three 1/8th inch holes where the dimples are in the bumper and pop rivet the holder in place. The plate than attaches with bolts to the holder.
I didn't want to drill holes so I bought one of the neoprene rubber plate holders like dealers use for hanging a temp plate on for test drives.
The tabs at the top that the dealer would stick under the trunk lid, I stuck into the grill and then tie wrapped them around to the holes in the bottom of the plate. Very secure and it means only neoprene rubber is coming in contact with the car and the edges of the plate are surrounded by neoprene so if I want to keep using the same plate and just buy stickers, it should still look OK for a couple of years.
I just don't like the plate off center which is what happens when you use the tow hook mount. Plus, they are pricey. The neoprene plate holder can be had for $10 bucks.

 

[wedgewa]

Maybe it's just because I'm getting "too old to sweat small stuff" but I only spent about 30 seconds disliking the idea of a front plate. Then - on went the Fiat-supplied front bracket. I've lived lived in states that require front plates my entire life so it's not a new concept. And, in my state, if I keep the car for 30 years (when I'll be in my late 90s) then the front plate will no longer be required for an historic vehicle and I can just put a picture of Sophia Loren (or someone like her) on the front bracket.

 

[Stelvio]

Maybe it's just because I'm getting "too old to sweat small stuff" but I only spent about 30 seconds disliking the idea of a front plate. Then - on went the Fiat-supplied front bracket. I've lived lived in states that require front plates my entire life so it's not a new concept. And, in my state, if I keep the car for 30 years (when I'll be in my late 90s) then the front plate will no longer be required for an historic vehicle and I can just put a picture of Sophia Loren (or someone like her) on the front bracket.

I understand completely. My dad got the same way when he got older. All his life he had taken the extra effort to make and keep his things nice but later when I would come over and say "You want me to help trim off some of those dead limbs" or something similar, he would just respond "The **** with it." He subscribed to Playboy after my mom passed.

 

[wedgewa]

I understand completely. My dad got the same way when he got older. All his life he had taken the extra effort to make and keep his things nice but later when I would come over and say "You want me to help trim off some of those dead limbs" or something similar, he would just respond "The **** with it." He subscribed to Playboy after my mom passed.

Hey I'm just driving. Though I'm not sure why using the manufacturer's bracket would be failing to "keep things nice." My car hobby has been pretty much all British. The Spider is the first import I've owned that wasn't built in the UK. In the world of Triumph/Jaguar and the rest, any modification or deviation from factory spec costs penalty points in shows. I'm not nearly as picky as the serious competitors but I do like the concept of "original".

And also, my wife has been buying me a Playboy subscription every year for more than 30 years. And I actually do read the articles. And she likes the Spider quite a bit.

 

[Bulldog66]

I live in Colorado and a front plate is required. That said in over 30 years I have never had a front plate living here. Only one ticket...parking in Boulder. I am going to take my chances. I hate the look of them, and even more so on the 124. Maybe something I can attach fast for parking once in awhile and just keep it in the trunk...heck even a magnet attachment for those few occasions.

 

[SteveWy]

I live in Colorado and a front plate is required. That said in over 30 years I have never had a front plate living here. Only one ticket...parking in Boulder. I am going to take my chances. I hate the look of them, and even more so on the 124. Maybe something I can attach fast for parking once in awhile and just keep it in the trunk...heck even a magnet attachment for those few occasions.

Denver Parking always got me ....Highway Patrol pulled my daughter over for not having the shoulder harness in the proper position, and noticed no front plate, and basically said they did not care, plus the car looked good without it.