VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 Front License Plate

Even in 1932, many states required a front license plate. I haven't seen any pictures of or parts in the parts book for a front license plate holder. We're they an accessory, clip on the headlight bar or what?

On the 32 pickup there are slotted holes in the headlight bar. I realize the headlight bar is different for the passenger car,but they did provide for application on the commercial models... just a point of info.

My '32 5 pax coupe has two chrome headlight bars that are solid. I believe the license plate would be mounted to two chrome clips. I don't have those, so they could be accessories or could be standard throw-away's.

There were two clips that mounted on the lower headlight bar for the license plate. The clips were standard equipment.

Are there any out there?

Probably.

Goffe, I have sent you a PM re pictures of the license plate clips which came off my '31. I assume mine are original. They are made from steel about 7/8" wide by 3/32 thick and about 1&1/2 long, and shaped to go over the 5/8" light bar. Mine have triangular holes punched in them, with a 1/8" barb left on front/back inner edges, I presume intended to grasp both the plate and the bar to avoid shifting from their place. Not a very sophisticated item, and in the case of mine, had contributed to significant rusting on headlight bar (not sure if they originally may have had a rubber pad). I plan to make new ones using stainless steel, and possibly a thin rubber pad between clip and bar to protect finish on bar. That is if I use them at all, since Nova Scotia no longer requires a front plate on cars. I prefer look of '31 rad without obscuring effect of plate!

Thanks all of you for your help. I mounted my plate on the headlight bar, but I'm not really satisfied with the location. Recently I saw a bunch of pictures of '32s and those with front plates were mounted on the front bumper brace mostly, but not always, on the right. Details of the mount weren't shown. I'd rather go that way. Are these all home made lash-ups or commercial?

Goffe, My 32 Chevy spent its early life in New Jersey and at that time the state required 2 license plates. My car came with a license plate bracket which mounted on the bolt holding the bumper support to the frame horn(on the right side). I still have that bracket and if you need a picture of it I'll take the pic and e-mail it to you. If I had two of them I'd give one but I'd like to keep the only one I have. Hope this helps.

My 32 Sport Coupe did not have the brackets on the lower headlight bar. It did have the typical "T" bracket on the passenger side attached to the bumper bolt.

Jersey requires a front plate. I remember Dad saying that the reason it was on the passenger side was so the cop writing a ticket could safely stand on the curb or a sidewalk out of the way of the traffic.

Thanks for all your input. After posting yesterday, I reviewed the Filling Station catalogue. They have what looks like just the item listed for '33 passenger cars. I think I'll try it.

After searching thru several books I have found pictures of the license plate mounted on the lower headlight bar, the right hand bumper mtg bracket and the center bumper bar bolt.Perhaps some states had their own laws for plate mounting locations.

most likely those brackets mounted to the bumpers were aftermarket available from OTASCO, Montgomery Ward or the such

If you are still looking for pictures you could email me your email address and I could send you a picture of the ones on my 31 coupe headlight bar. Good luck with the project.

OTASCO & Western Auto Supply, a great source for your auto parts in that country. Been to them many many times.