License Plate Frame

[Harmon C.]

Re: License Plate Frame

73-77 TIG&JM's both say you need one or two license frames and in 73-74 you would need the center grill which replaced the bracket and the frame in one plate states. Their is a note that in 1977 the frames stoped being shipped in cars at some point.

[Loren L.]

Re: License Plate Frame

In an effort to further complicate your lives, if you check, I think you will find that the ORIGINAL frames appeared with zinc/cad retainers. The more recent ones seem to favor black/phosphate retainers which should receive a deduction.

[Harmon C.]

Re: License Plate Frame

The size of the rivet on the newer ones is much smaller than the originals I have seen.

[Oliver B.]

Re: License Plate Frame

GREAT! Thanks for everybody's input... The one I like the most, is that "at some point in 77 they stopped them being shipped"!
Seeing all this (and the many differences), guess for now I will (can) live without one (or two - which I would "need" for my MN-car).

Thanks again.

[Joe L.]

Re: License Plate Frame

GREAT! Thanks for everybody's input... The one I like the most, is that "at some point in 77 they stopped them being shipped"!
Seeing all this (and the many differences), guess for now I will (can) live without one (or two - which I would "need" for my MN-car).

Thanks again.

Oliver----


I checked the "miscellaneous shipping list" for 1977 Corvettes. No license plate frames are on it. So, if they were included with any 1977, then it was not intended or, apparently, authorized by GM.

[Oliver B.]

Re: License Plate Frame

Joe, what is this "miscellaneous shipping list" and where is it from? There - you think - those frames should then be listed as well?

Hum, maybe there is something else to change an in the 77's JM...

[Terry M.]

Re: License Plate Frame

It is in the AIM -- in the front pages. Hiding in plain sight.

[Oliver B.]

Re: License Plate Frame

Thanks, Terry - I will check back!

[Harmon C.]

Re: License Plate Frame

GREAT! Thanks for everybody's input... The one I like the most, is that "at some point in 77 they stopped them being shipped"!
Seeing all this (and the many differences), guess for now I will (can) live without one (or two - which I would "need" for my MN-car).

Thanks again.

If you have the same TIG&JM I have you will see the note about 77's in the license plate information if you should need it at a meet.

[John S.]

Re: License Plate Frame

Oliver-----


I believe that 1975 was the last year that the stainless steel license plate frames were supplied in Corvettes. The same style frames were used from 1963 until that time.

Want some anyway? No problem. GM #3797485, the original part number issued for the 1963 model year and still available from GM (for about 50 bucks each, GM list). Are these exactly the same as those used for 1977? No, but only because NONE were used for 1977. Are they exactly the same as those used for 1963? No again as there are slight differences even though the part number remains the same.

Are these GM license plate frames different from those sold by Paragon or LIC?

[Joe L.]

Re: License Plate Frame

Are these GM license plate frames different from those sold by Paragon or LIC?

John-----


I kind of doubt it. There's just too much of a difference in price. Paragon's cost on the GM pieces if they bought them from GM would be greater than they sell them for. The only way they could sell the GM pieces at that price would be if they located the original supplier to GM and are able to purchase directly from them.

I'd be interested if anyone has fairly recently purchased both and compared them.

[Gary S.]

Re: License Plate Frame

Yes, in the first go, even a repro's picture will help - I have no idea, what to look for, then...

I a second go, we then can discuss the differences (which has already been done, as far as I can see from recent postings).

Thanks!

Here is the photo, showing the rivet in question of my GM purchased frame

[Oliver B.]

Re: License Plate Frame

Thanks a lot everybody...

[Paul C.]

Re: License Plate Frame

I would like to continue this question. The judging manual states "each car came with two SS frames in the luggage compartment. If not installed on the car, then these frames should be shown to the exterior judges." In the previous posts there were no pictures except of a rivet. Can some tell me where you would purchase one for a 71; post a pictures; and tell me the point deduction for not having the front frame. Thank You for helping me out on this. Paul

[Dave S.]

Re: License Plate Frame

I would like to continue this question. The judging manual states "each car came with two SS frames in the luggage compartment. If not installed on the car, then these frames should be shown to the exterior judges." In the previous posts there were no pictures except of a rivet. Can some tell me where you would purchase one for a 71; post a pictures; and tell me the point deduction for not having the front frame. Thank You for helping me out on this. Paul

Paul,
Just to add to the good responses already given I've attached a couple of photos of an original plate frame. They were in plastic bags from St. Louis and depending on the dealer preparation they were most likely removed from the bags and either installed on the car or one or both frames were left in the rear storage area. As you can see on the judging sheets there is 3 originality and 2 condition points for the frame and 2 screws in Item #6 and Item #17 of the Exterior Section. Total 5 + 5 =10 points for the frame and screws. If you are missing the front frame and screws you will lose 5 points(total deduct). Simply get a repro frame and 2 correct screws and get 4 or 5 of the total points.
As Lyle mentioned the rivets of the originals are different and originals have the patent number as shown in the photo.