Early license plate light assembly

[FunElan]

How did the early cars have the license plate lights attached to the rear end? Right now I have a bracket that holds everything, but I just smashed one of the lenses by accident and tweaked the left side of the entire assembly. I want to know how to make the rear end look more original, so any info is appreciated.

Anyone got license plate lamps for sale btw?

Thanks!

Matt

[Mike Self]

were three styles on 02's

1. Early US 1600s and all Euro cars had 'em in the bumper

2. US Roundies had 2 silver plastic lamps mounted on plastic plinths that were fastened directly to the rear body panel, one on each side of the license plate.

3. Squarelights had the same lamp assemblies as the roundies, but were fastened to a black metal holder that also held the license plate. The holder was in turn fastened to the rear body panel.

What do you have, and what did you break. Hope it wasn't a roundie mounting plinth; they've been NLA for many years.

cheers

mike

[HBChris]

Matt, As Mike has described, they attach to the body with two screws/nuts each like this:

[FunElan]

Ah, I need to drill in my rear panel. Looks like it's been replaced at some point. How do you have the license plate mounted Chris? Just some set screws?

[HBChris]

I made a Z shaped bracket that holds the plate away and upwards so that it clears the horizontal trim and is centered between the lights. I can send some pics if you need them.

chris

[FunElan]

I'd probably buy one off you if it wasn't too expensive haha.

[jgerock]

I made a Z shaped bracket that holds the plate away and upwards so that it clears the horizontal trim and is centered between the lights. I can send some pics if you need them.

chris

Chris - please post pics of your 'z-bracket. The upper part of my plate touches the trim, even though I've added some spacers to the (2) bottom bolts.

[kbmb02]

I found a few of the items, Matt.

I believe these are the base pieces for the lights (plinths, as labeled above) for the early cars. They're solid with no cracks, I'd think the finish could be easily replenished with a (off-white / gray) rattle-can for a good as new look. I've also got the rubber body seals and light assemblies as well. You'd be welcome to one of the so-so lenses I have until you find shiny or new ones.[/i/

And here's a Z bracket if you're doing the whole back-date.

Let me know if you're interested (either way). And no haha-ing...

Ken

[HBChris]

Jim, Here ya go. I used a body nut (?) on the bracket.

[Mike Self]

I drilled two holes in the rear body panel to correspond with the upper license plate holes (they're standard on all US and Canadian states/provinces), then used some 1/2 to 5/8 inch thick rubber washers to space the plate away from both the horizontal trim (on roundies) and the little lip at the bottom of the rear body panel.

Works like a charm and the rubber keeps the plate from vibrating and buzzing.

cheers

mike

[FunElan]

Ken,

Definitely interested in the entire light assemblies. I'm probably going to buy brand new covers somewhere so they look shiny for Monterey. How long is that Z bracket?

-Matt

[jgerock]

Thanks for the picture Chris.

That horizontal Z-bracket looks like the front one on my car.