License Plate Frame

[Paul C.]

Re: License Plate Frame

Dave Thanks. I see a screw hole on each side of the license frame but I don't see anywhere in my license bracket where these screws would screw into. The plate is screwed into the bracket and then the frame is screwed into ??????

Thanks Paul

[Dave S.]

Re: License Plate Frame

Dave Thanks. I see a screw hole on each side of the license frame but I don't see anywhere in my license bracket where these screws would screw into. The plate is screwed into the bracket and then the frame is screwed into ??????

Thanks Paul

Paul,
The frame clips hold it onto the plate so the palte and frame become one. The screws then go through top holes in the plate and into the plastic shields in the Bracket(front) and valence(rear). I hope that makes sense.

[Steven B.]

Re: License Plate Frame

I saw my '77 and '78 both roll off the truck and neither had license plate frames. The 2nd edition TIM&JG shows in the table on page 21 under "Owner's Packet Contents" under "Description", fourth entry from the bottom states;

"License plate frame(s) of aluminum were included. Two in states that require two plates. Some time in 1976 this practice ended."

This makes sense as my '77 was an early car and had no frames. I personally walked to the parts dept. and got two frames when receiving each car. Each was in a very thin clear plastic bag as I recall.

'Don't need the frames for your Orange '77.

Steve

[Perry M.]

Re: License Plate Frame

The original frames that came with my 63 do not have the ''US PAT NO'' on them but are identical in all other respects. By the picture, that pat. number appears to be raised or embossed from the backside. Is that correct? Also, the grey phosphate coating on my spring clips looks a little darker.

By the way, is there anybody restoring these frames? One of mine got bent and I straightened it out to about 90% but a professional could get it to 100%. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Perry

[Steven B.]

Re: License Plate Frame

The original frames that came with my 63 do not have the ''US PAT NO'' on them but are identical in all other respects. By the picture, that pat. number appears to be raised or embossed from the backside. Is that correct? Also, the grey phosphate coating on my spring clips looks a little darker.

By the way, is there anybody restoring these frames? One of mine got bent and I straightened it out to about 90% but a professional could get it to 100%. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Perry

Perry, I believe there are some al. and ss restorers in Hemmings under "Services". Paul's Chrome restores al. and ss trim.

Good Luck!

Steve

[Joe L.]

Re: License Plate Frame

Dave Thanks. I see a screw hole on each side of the license frame but I don't see anywhere in my license bracket where these screws would screw into. The plate is screwed into the bracket and then the frame is screwed into ??????

Thanks Paul

Paul-----


Your model year was originally supplied with 2 license plate frames shipped un-installed in the luggage compartment. These frames, first released for the 1963 model year, are still available from GM under GM #3797485 for about 50 bucks each, GM list. Are they 100% positively, exactly as-original in every nuance of detail? No.

[Dave S.]

Re: License Plate Frame

The original frames that came with my 63 do not have the ''US PAT NO'' on them but are identical in all other respects. By the picture, that pat. number appears to be raised or embossed from the backside. Is that correct? Also, the grey phosphate coating on my spring clips looks a little darker.

By the way, is there anybody restoring these frames? One of mine got bent and I straightened it out to about 90% but a professional could get it to 100%. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Perry

Perry,
The Patent Number mark is stamped on the clip. It is not raised.

[Dave S.]

Re: License Plate Frame

Paul-----


Your model year was originally supplied with 2 license plate frames shipped un-installed in the luggage compartment. These frames, first released for the 1963 model year, are still available from GM under GM #3797485 for about 50 bucks each, GM list. Are they 100% positively, exactly as-original in every nuance of detail? No.

Joe,
When comparing the original frames to the current GM replacements the clip lacks the patent number and the rivet is slightly different. Otherwise they are the same.

[Paul C.]

Re: License Plate Frame

I have looked at 2 different frames from 2 different sources that are "GM original" but neither one comes with the screws. Based on the deduction started previously it is hard to justify $80 for the frames versus Corvette central $26 if I still take a deuct because of the screws. Where do you purchase the correct screws? Thanks for the help!!!!!
Paul

[Dave S.]

Re: License Plate Frame

I have looked at 2 different frames from 2 different sources that are "GM original" but neither one comes with the screws. Based on the deduction started previously it is hard to justify $80 for the frames versus Corvette central $26 if I still take a deuct because of the screws. Where do you purchase the correct screws? Thanks for the help!!!!!
Paul

Paul,
The screws never came with the frames. They were in a manilla envelope with two screws for the front and two screws for the rear and the envelope is part of the glovebox package. There has been lots of discussion and photos of the envelope which is a scarce piece. The screws are available. Someone else may be able to steer you in the right direction. Seems odd to me that CC would sell a frame for $26 and the GM is $80.

[Perry M.]

Re: License Plate Frame

Thanks Steve.

Dave, thanks for the clarification, however, I don't except the fact that all frames from 63 had that patent number stamped on them. The original frames that came on my Corvette from Alan Green Chevrolet in Burien, Washington are still attached to the original plates that were issued to my car in 63. I just now took one off to see if the number was stamped on my frame. It wasn't. I did not take the rear one off to check it out. Are both of the tabs, left and right, on that particular frame, stamped or just one of them? Seems odd that they would have two different clips for one frame. One stamped and the other not stamped. Thanks for your help in this matter.

[Mike M.]

Re: License Plate Frame

Perry,
Just to clarify and re-state Dave's earlier comment.
Original frames with Patent Numbers were stamped on the Clips, NOT on the Frames.
HanD

[Perry M.]

Re: License Plate Frame

Perry,
Just to clarify and re-state Dave's earlier comment.
Original frames with Patent Numbers were stamped on the Clips, NOT on the Frames.
HanD

Yes, I understand that. But does that mean some original frames did NOT have patent numbers? I was simply stating the fact that my originals do not have any stampings on the clips and was asking if both the clips on his original were stamped or if only one of them was. Thanks, Perry

[Dave S.]

Re: License Plate Frame

Thanks Steve.

Dave, thanks for the clarification, however, I don't except the fact that all frames from 63 had that patent number stamped on them. The original frames that came on my Corvette from Alan Green Chevrolet in Burien, Washington are still attached to the original plates that were issued to my car in 63. I just now took one off to see if the number was stamped on my frame. It wasn't. I did not take the rear one off to check it out. Are both of the tabs, left and right, on that particular frame, stamped or just one of them? Seems odd that they would have two different clips for one frame. One stamped and the other not stamped. Thanks for your help in this matter.

Perry,
I should have clarified my previous posts but my comments are pointed to 69 and up frames. That is my area of knowledge. Could be that earlier frames were different. My frames have the patent number reference on both clips.
I'd be interested in the rivet on your early frames to see if it resemmbles the rivet in the photo that I posted. If you could post a photo that may clarify things. I was not aware thet St. Louis put frames in Corvettes as early as 1963. Always good to learn.

[Jeff G.]

Re: License Plate Frame

Paul,
The screws never came with the frames. They were in a manilla envelope with two screws for the front and two screws for the rear and the envelope is part of the glovebox package. There has been lots of discussion and photos of the envelope which is a scarce piece. The screws are available. Someone else may be able to steer you in the right direction. Seems odd to me that CC would sell a frame for $26 and the GM is $80.

This great stuff, I'm learning much here. Speaking of envelopes, what's this one for?