FD3 front number plate

[Mave]

Hi, recently picked up my FD3  :cool and I\'m slowly going through it looking at which bits need to be fixed / improved. It\'s got a standard nose, with foglights in the radiator apature. It\'s got a square front number plate; it seems to me that this blocks off a large proportion of the radiator apature. Any opinions on whether a rectangular plate makes much difference to the cooling? I\'m not getting any particular problems, but I figure that anything which helps the airflow to the radiator has got to be good news!

[Alc]

As we are about to register jap import. the firstthing that leaps to mind is a stick on vinyl number plate "old e-type" style

[Spotlamp]

Not massively sure about the regulations, but I seem to remember something about if the car doesn\'t have a space designed for a UK number plate (aka imported RX7s) at the front then you can get away with a sticky.  Anyway, I\'d get it SVA\'d with a proper plate on then swap it out afterwards.  I\'ve been running a sticky for a while and had no problems with MOTs or the rozzers.

HTH
H

[Mave]

OK, where can you get stick ons from? And how sticky are they.... can they be removed easily if I have a problem later on?

[Alc]

didn\'t notice where you are replying from so can\'t be precise theres some fancy ones you can get from graphix places and theres also the old fashioned type you can get from caravan places
 hope this helps

[Alc]

We had 2 responces to enquires we made our local mot garage said ok but parts shop said was illegal since 2002 but told us place in dukinfield make fancy ones

[Mave]

OK, cheers guys. I think I\'ll be looking into this in more detail, offering up the rectangular plate from another car it looks like it\'ll let more air through the radiator, but the edges stand pround of the nose by a few inches which spoils the lines

[peterch]

When I researched for my reg plate I came to the conclusion that vynal plates where legal. Also you can use the smaller size lettering due to the lack of space. If you go to the dvla website it has all the regulations re numberplates in it.

[Spotlamp]

You can buy them from any car graphics, sign printers or wherever.  Best looking in yellow pages, I got mine made up by a local sign company, cost about a tenner I think.

HTH
H

[MillSpeed]

Is Spotlamp the name of your cat?

[barmar]

Someone asked this in Autocar a few weeks ago. Autocar asked the DVLA about the legalities. Their answer was "Number plates must meet the British Standard requirements and we are not aware of any self adhesive number plates that are able to meet these requirements".
Personally mine has been on for over a year now and I\'ve never hd any problems including MOT time or when I got pulled over for speeding. Best bet with this is to make sure it uses the correct font, spacing and sizes and that it is reflective.
As said above most graphics places or signwriters will make them up for you from vinyl. As for removing them just like any vinyls if you\'re having trouble heat them a little with a hair dryer and they should peel off reasonably easily.

Hope this helps
Barry

[Pointman]

Have a word with Dandan on this forum, he might be able to make one for you ?

[Alc]

we actually ended uo making on for ourselves with old self adhesive trailer vinyl plate and white fablon and self adhesive numbers
 hope the pic attachment works but doesn\'t put you off

[fullonloon]

/kersnip (oops)

[Mave]

Well, I still intend to get a stick-on plate, but due to the existing holes it\'ll need some filling. In the meantime I\'ve got a standard rectangular plate from Halfords to replace the square one, I\'m convinced my water temperature has dropped by 5 degrees - I now get 80C on the motorway, 95C max in stationary traffic which has got to be good news