C3 license plate frames

[Patrick H.]

Hello All,

Does anyone know if the stainless steel license plate frames currently offered by GM are identical to the ones originally installed on my 1971 or 1972 Corvette? I have heard that some currently offered are not correct, but I don't know if that was referring to current GM ones or reproduction ones.

Thanks,

Patrick

[Reba Whittington]

Re: C3 license plate frames

There was a difference in the rivets of the ones GM offered a few years ago. Original ones were stainless steel, while service replacements were cadmium. I don't know if they are still this way.

[Patrick H.]

Re: C3 license plate frames

Reba,

Thanks. I assume you're referring to the rivets being either stainless or cadmium, not the entire frame.

Patrick

[Harmon C.]

Re: C3 license plate frames

Patrick I checked some GM ones I bought in 97 and some I bought last year and the stainless steel frame is magnetic and the rivets are also. It must be low grade stainless. I have hear that the rivet is larger also and I had a used one in bad shape buy didn't find it to check.

[Dave S.]

Re: C3 license plate frames

The original frames on both my 70 and 71 have patent numbers on the side clips. Do the GM reissues have the patent numbers as well????

[Rob A.]

Re: C3 license plate frames

I agree, the patent# should be on the spring clips on originals

[Harmon C.]

Re: C3 license plate frames

Their are no part numbers on the GM ones I have bought at the local dealer over the last five years. I now know why they are always installed.

[Dave S.]

Re: C3 license plate frames/

Lyle,

My original frames have "patent" numbers not part numbers. I have often wondered if the presence of patent numbers on the clip denote originals. Hopefully there is a C3 exterior expert that can chime in on this.

[Art A.]

Re: C3 license plate frames/

Putting someone else's patent number on a part is a BIG NO, NO and if they get caught they will be MAKING license plates.

Art

[Gary S.]

Re: C3 license plate frames

Patrick, I bought GM brand license plate frames for my 72 last year. They look about 95% as good as the originals seen on cars. I seem to recall that the repros offered by the catalog companies differ in the rivet head while the GM rivets are dead on. No points lost and no negative comments in judging with the GM frames. The BIG problem with the GM frames is the cost. I think I remember paying around $50 while the repros were significantly less.
Gary

[George C.]

Re: C3 license plate frames/

Hi Dave, I'm no expert, but last night after reading about the plate frames I went down to my Corvette parts in my basement and found from my Palmyra Motor days 4 sets of plate frames that are still in their original plastic sleeves just how they were in the back of Corvettes when shipped from St Louis. I could see the patent number that you described,also noticed on them a light blue plastic coating or wrap that is around the rivet on outside of frame , one frame even had the blue wrap still left on the side of plate frame,all these came out of late 1973 and early 1974 Corvettes, not all the customers wanted the plate frames. I also have six individual GM parts wrapped (1974 issue) plate frames, four wrapped in GM paper and two paper on one side clear plastic on the other. Save the Wave.>George

[Harmon C.]

Re: C3 license plate frames/

The GM reissue ones have no patent numbers on them as I was just looking for any numbers. Can you measure the rivet head on the outside (diameter ) for me on your original ones? All I have ever seen at swap meets was the ones in GM wrappers . I have had no judging problems with the GM reissue frames as you can't see the spring clips .

[Dave S.]

Re: C3 license plate frames/

Lyle, There is one rivet on each side and its head as viewed fron the outside of the frame is 7/32". I measured both from my 70 and both from the 71 and they are all the same.

[Harmon C.]

Re: C3 license plate frames/

Dave I think the rivets on the new GM frames are smaller I will check.

[Patrick H.]

Re: C3 license plate frames

Please keep us updated. At least I'll know what to look for when judging, and why I might get points taken off my own car.

Patrick