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On the NC, do the bolts that hold the big, ugly number plate bracket fit through the circular areas I've highlighted in yellow?



If so, does that mean you can use those holes to bolt a number plate on, like this one?

(In other words, is that how it's been done in the second image, using pre-existing holes? Maybe longer bolts?)

if you mount the plate like the second pic, you will have some big holes left in your bumper.

That second pic has had the holes filled and repainted.

Good morning everyone
Option 1 remove number plate and cut plastic mounting base, so that it is smaller than number plate and refit number plate
Option 2 remove number plate, remove mounting base by drilling out two rivets, remove captive nut clip off mounting base, cut them so that they can be inserted into the big holes in bumper, make the captive nuts as long as possible an skinny enough to fit it hole, attach bolt slide behind bumper through the hole, remove bolt gently, it will stay in place because of foam behind bumper, then gently screw number plate onto bar. Very neat and less likely to catch leg on number plate.
Paul

Regie wrote:if you mount the plate like the second pic, you will have some big holes left in your bumper.

That second pic has had the holes filled and repainted.

Ahhh, OK. So there's bolts into the bumper as well. Wasn't sure. Cheers.

PAU61L wrote:Good morning everyone
Option 1 remove number plate and cut plastic mounting base, so that it is smaller than number plate and refit number plate
Option 2 remove number plate, remove mounting base by drilling out two rivets, remove captive nut clip off mounting base, cut them so that they can be inserted into the big holes in bumper, make the captive nuts as long as possible an skinny enough to fit it hole, attach bolt slide behind bumper through the hole, remove bolt gently, it will stay in place because of foam behind bumper, then gently screw number plate onto bar. Very neat and less likely to catch leg on number plate.
Paul

Some good ideas there, Paul. Thanks for that!

Just to briefly revisit this topic, if I was to have a grille like the one pictured (which I believe fits over the existing grille), I'd need to use the mounting method using the holes in the bumper (as I couldn't have anything screwing into the grille any longer)?

You'll have fewer attachment options with that grille cover.
MX-5 Plus did have these - this was the prototype.
The "ears" at the bottom (attached to the factory holes) are to prevent flexing at the bar.
The rego plate is a slimline - still covers the mounting adapter.

That's a great looking, clean mount for sure. But does take away the ability to do the other grilles, of course, as you suggest.

Has anyone out there changed grille (either completely, or one of the ones that fits over the existing grille), and found a good way to do the number plate?

A mesh grille will reduce airflow in my opinion and is not a modern look. In theory you can mount a number plate in the grille opening but that also raises the question as to whether it has any negative affect on cooling.

Can't comment on NC's but I had grilles on both my NA6 & NB8A and never had any cooling issues even in traffic in 38 degrees with the air con going. I reckon the grille in the NA even saved my radiator on one occasion when a bird flew in to the grille opening when I was driving at 100kph. Left a reasonable dent in the grille!! I've seen the grilles fitted on SE's and wonder how they go ...

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Mr Morlock wrote:A mesh grille will reduce airflow in my opinion and is not a modern look. In theory you can mount a number plate in the grille opening but that also raises the question as to whether it has any negative affect on cooling.

Just remember that the top half of the NC honeycomb grille is blanked off i.e air does not flow through that part.

Mr Morlock wrote:A mesh grille will reduce airflow in my opinion and is not a modern look.

I had a mesh grille on my NA. Did bugger all for reducing the airflow. It holds no fears for me.

As for it not being a "modern look" in your opinion... so what? It's a look that I quite like, myself.

I agree it may make no difference on an NC but a closer mesh will undoubtedly reduce the amount of air going through to the radiator.