License Plate Light for my roadster

What are you guys doing for a rear plate light on your fenderless cars? I bought a very cool looking stainless lamp made by Bob Drake and decided i don't like it because there is not enough room under it for the plate to mount without overhanging the lower body line, extending the plate beyond the panel just below the decklid (the part with the flying eyeball painted on it). Just doesn't look right to me and makes the plate look like it is too low. The plate fits nicely in that panel under the decklid WITHOUT the light, so I'm thinking of getting a pair of those "Bolt 'N Lites" that are just a tiny bulb within the head of a license plate bolt... I realize it aint gonna shine much light on my plate, but i don't care about that, i just need to have a light on the plate to be legal, and am more concerned with keeping the "look" clean... wondering if anyone else has any other ideas? Do they make a lighted frame that doesn't look all billet and modern? I want a classic look, and aside from the light i already bought and don't like, i can't find anything else that would look good.

Here's the light i bought, comes with a bracket too, but even without it, and the plate butted up tight against the bottom of the light, it still lets the plate hang down too far for my tastes... I had to call 5 different suppliers to get one, as they are discontinued and out of stock, and i got the last one the vendor had in his inventory... was so excited to find one, then so disappointed when it didn't fit they way i hoped it would!

My 32 has the license plate hung under the body.

The round aluminum piece shown just above the license plate is the light.

It works well and the best part is the mounting holes are the same spacing as the license plate mounting holes so no extra holes to drill.

The light has worked well for close to 14 years with no problems.
They're still available from several different hot rod parts suppliers.

I'm probably going to mount the 31's plate just below the trunk lid.
Right now, not sure what light I'm gonna use.

I got one of the nice small and smooth lights from SoCal, but the trouble with it is it needs a third - larger - hole through the body for the light bulb socket.

Nice light in the right car, but it's not gonna work for my 31 unless I decide to mount it's plate under the body.

Not sure if this will tell you anything you don't know.

Here's a light similar to yours, an old Empi in fact.
Empi supplied a lot of stuff for the V-Dub dune buggy gang a few years back.

The roadster owner bought the light new maybe 20 years ago, gave it to me about 15 years ago, it hung on my garage wall - still in the original shrink wrap - and I gave it back a couple of years ago so he could use it on his 29 roadster.


Take a look at the J&P Cycles website.

They carry a lot of high quality stuff for the Harley gang and a lot of it is useful on our hot rods.
Good outfit to deal with.

How about one of those units that when the car is not running, the licenxe plate, light and all retract under the car. Counld only see the license when the car is running. They work off of an electric motor I believe. Have seen several, but never exaimed closely. I considered one for my DeSoto, but decided to recess in roll pan with a very small light. Does not take much light to illuminate a license plate.

Jack

I DO want my plate mounted on the body, it looks like it belongs there on my car, especially with the pinstriping ending at the decklid... I just don't want it to hang off the panel where the plate should fit neatly... That EMPI shown above light is basically the same type i have, just mounted upside down from the way I wished to mount mine. It also looks like a Model A has a bit wider panel below the decklid than a deuce,(what IS that panel called anyhow?) So there is a bit more room to mount the light and the plate on an A bone compared to a 32. My car has a place undeneath to mount the plate right on the back of the frame, which is where it was when i got the car...but i definitely want it up on the body, centered between the taillights. I'm just trying to find a good way to light it without using a bulky lighted frame... Is anyone using those bolts with lights in them? I think thats the best route i can take, just drill 2 holes for the plate, and attach them with the lighted bolts... I can easily tap into my tail light wiring right there too.

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Originally Posted by joeybsyc

I DO want my plate mounted on the body, it looks like it belongs there on my car, especially with the pinstriping ending at the decklid... I just don't want it to hang off the panel where the plate should fit neatly... That EMPI shown above light is basically the same type i have, just mounted upside down from the way I wished to mount mine. It also looks like a Model A has a bit wider panel below the decklid than a deuce,(what IS that panel called anyhow?) So there is a bit more room to mount the light and the plate on an A bone compared to a 32. My car has a place undeneath to mount the plate right on the back of the frame, which is where it was when i got the car...but i definitely want it up on the body, centered between the taillights. I'm just trying to find a good way to light it without using a bulky lighted frame... Is anyone using those bolts with lights in them? I think thats the best route i can take, just drill 2 holes for the plate, and attach them with the lighted bolts... I can easily tap into my tail light wiring right there too.

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Yup, that's what I usually use, puts out plenty enough for a plate light, or at least the cops have never complained about it.

I have a satin billet license plate frame with a light similar to this on my Abone.


Here is a polished one on eBay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/LICEN...spagenameZWDVW

I used the light bolts on mine and the aluminum surround from SoCal. I used quick release connectors on the bolt wiring to enable me to update the lisence plate decals annually. I'd post I picture of it if I wuz smart enough. I am smart enuff to email one if you request. Offy

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Originally Posted by Pat Monaco

I have a satin billet license plate frame with a light similar to this on my Abone.


Here is a polished one on eBay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/LICEN...spagenameZWDVW

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thats what i use and it looks and works great on my truck.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Pat Monaco

I have a satin billet license plate frame with a light similar to this on my Abone.


Here is a polished one on eBay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/LICEN...spagenameZWDVW

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Even though that IS the "ULTIMATE LICENSE PLATE FRAME" according the ebay ad, its a little too "billety" for my tastes. I'm thinking a nice old school frame with some bolt lights will suit the style of my car better, but if not, its good to know i have some other options.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Offy

I used the light bolts on mine and the aluminum surround from SoCal. I used quick release connectors on the bolt wiring to enable me to update the lisence plate decals annually. I'd post I picture of it if I wuz smart enough. I am smart enuff to email one if you request. Offy

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Are you talking about that 3 sided trim piece So Cal makes that goes above the plate and down each side? I considered that, and would like to see a pic of your car with it on if that's what you have... I also sorta dug the polished/cast "Hollywood" frame they sell, and thought it might look neat ont he back of my car with some bolt lights...

Joey...the one on eBay is chrome. Like I said I have the satin Billet. Hey, drill some lightening holes in it to "rat" it up a little! I've seen that done too.

Pat

There are over 3300 license plate frames listed on evilBay as I write this @10:17 - most are junky, but some interesting ones as well

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...r/MVC-012F.jpg

On my Deuce, I used a AC Cobra tag light. It is very bright because it has two bulbs in it. It is very small and thin ... so there is room for the tag to barely clear the lower body reveal.

FYI ... the AC Cobras used a MG tag light and the tag light is available from most AC Cobra supply places or the MG folks ...

Generally for around 39 dollars or so ...

These folks sell them ...

http://www.cobrarestorers.com/background.htm

That Cobra lamp looks really good on your car, but it looks to be about the same size as the one I already have from Bob Drake... and would still allow my plate to go past the body line... It looks just fine like that on a car with a stock gas tank, fenders and bumper like yours, but mine has a bobbed rear with nothing else back there...and it just looks to me like the plate should not go past that body reveal line. I ordered a pair of bolt lights last night and will see how they work out with a chrome frame I already have that i think will look nice. I'm quickly accumulating a stockpile of pieces and parts I don't need. :3dSMILE:

Installed a simple chrome frame and bolt lights today... now if the DMV will ever actually issue me a license plate, i can put them to use!

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Originally Posted by joeybsyc

I'm quickly accumulating a stockpile of pieces and parts I don't need. :3dSMILE:

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Welcome to hot rodding!!! Do this enough years and you end up with enough stuff to build another car!!:whacked:

I missed this the first time around because of the storm and power failure. Though its too late for your situation, one other thought for anyone who might stumble across this at some later date. Basically what looks "wrong" with most of the billet parts is the "square" edges. A quasi period look could result from taking a non-plated bracket/light combo like Pat has and rounding off the edges. Then a nice smoothing and polish so it has a near chrome look, or painting it for blend or contrast. Bye bye billet look. This would work for other parts, e.g. alt brackets, mirror bases, etc.