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Front number plate

Posted: Fri Aug 24, 2007 4:02 pm
by Rooster
Hi fellers
Ive seen on one of the posts a photo of a 5 with the front number plate moved to the the \"Grill\" opening, (sick of knocking my shins on plate in garage), as I only drive on the road, will this effect the cooling system and if not any suggestions how to install legally. :?

Rooster

Posted: Fri Aug 24, 2007 4:12 pm
by Juffa
I have seen this affect some, but not all MX-5s. It seems to affect those older cars where the cooling sysem is suffering from such things as a clagged radiator, minor leaks......

J

Posted: Fri Aug 24, 2007 4:14 pm
by Gramps
Have a look at mine in my sig photo. All you do is remove the number plate bracket and invert it. You may have to redrill the bracket holes to get the plate in the position you want and may also need to reduce the length so the plate doesn't stand proud of the front of the car. As long as its almost in line with the tip of the nose and/or can be seen readily at an angle from the front of the car, it's legal.
It's easy and just takes a bit of fiddling. I've had mone there now for a couple of years and never had any overheating problems.
Charlie Brown had the same arrangement with a clever twist. It was hinged so it was vertical when stationary but swung back to improve airflow when driving 8)

Posted: Fri Aug 24, 2007 4:36 pm
by Bevan
Join in the group buy in the For Sale section! 8)

Posted: Fri Aug 24, 2007 8:46 pm
by marcusus
Yeah, quite easily done. Mine's inverted as well, without any dramas. I bent the prongs down, but I get the feeling I ended up redrilling as well, since it ended up sticking out too far. I've got photos too lying around somewhere.

Posted: Sat Aug 25, 2007 8:41 am
by pinkie
I have run the SE for three years with cable ties so the plate retracts (folds up) into the mouth when moving to assist with cooling / airflow etc. - trouble is it is illegal - the fine is worse than not having a plate - or so I have been told.

Anyway last month I fixed the plate to be rigid - like bigdogs and promptly got a speed camera fine which confirms it must be legal! - bugger! Still no cooling issues and the intercooler is sort of sheilded from rocks and stuff too.

My advice - fix it so it is not concealed - then at least the discussions with the cops will not be so interesting!