Register now to get rid of these ads!

Hot Rods License frame for oddball sized tags

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by rockable, Jan 18, 2015.

  1. rockable
    Joined: Dec 21, 2009
    Posts: 5,093

    rockable
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I have a 1941 license tag for my Plymouth. It is 5 x 12, roughly. Does anyone make a frame that fits these pre 1956 non standard tags? I'd like something fairly plain that would not look out of place on my car. i.e. No barbed wire, purple illuminated, etc.
     
  2. rusty rocket
    Joined: Oct 30, 2011
    Posts: 5,262

    rusty rocket
    Member

    DSC02735.JPG I made my frame. Its actually a piece of 1/4" aluimium, I had a friend mill about an 1/8" out of the middle so the plate sits down inside so from the front it looks like a frame. I rounded the corners and then used a carbide router bit made for woodworking in my router table, after that I gave it a good polish. I like the fact that the plate is backed up from behind so it cant get bent.
     
    big duece, rockable and Rich B. like this.
  3. HOTRODPRIMER
    Joined: Jan 3, 2003
    Posts: 64,779

    HOTRODPRIMER
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I haven't seen one in a long time,with the exception of the one on our Ranch Wagon, but at one time there was a 8 piece trombone type slip fit frame made for odd size tags. HRP

    1954_Ford_Wagon_005_t607-vi.jpg
     
    Last edited: Jan 18, 2015
    40fordtudor likes this.
  4. Aquaroscoe
    Joined: Apr 13, 2006
    Posts: 315

    Aquaroscoe
    Member

  5. Buddy Palumbo
    Joined: Mar 30, 2008
    Posts: 3,871

    Buddy Palumbo
    Member

    Interesting thread so far . I'll be watching to see what else pops up , so I can mmaybe find something for the YOM plate I'll be runnning (a bit smaller than modern PA plates) .
     
  6. 30TudorSedan
    Joined: Sep 20, 2007
    Posts: 382

    30TudorSedan
    Member

    Here's my license plate frame I used for my '29. It's an adjustable one similar to the one mentioned above by HRP. I picked it up from fellow Hamber, Number.

    License plate frame.JPG License plate frame_box1.JPG License plate frame_box2.JPG
     
    Scooterville likes this.
  7. I didn't have any luck finding anything either, so I built my own....

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  8. Hotrodmyk
    Joined: Jan 7, 2011
    Posts: 2,339

    Hotrodmyk
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Following too. I haven't been able to find anything for '30's WA plates that isn't billet.
     
  9. john walker
    Joined: Sep 11, 2008
    Posts: 1,139

    john walker
    Member

    hit the local swap meet. rusty rocket's is as clean as they come.
     
    rusty rocket likes this.
  10. HOTRODPRIMER
    Joined: Jan 3, 2003
    Posts: 64,779

    HOTRODPRIMER
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Found a few images on the net.

    This is similar to the one on the wagon,adjustable tubular license plate frames so one size fit's all and is about as traditional as it gets. HRP

    h.JPG

    $_571.JPG

    $_57d.JPG
     
  11. Aviator
    Joined: Apr 13, 2008
    Posts: 257

    Aviator
    Member

    Kanter sells one similar to the HOTRODP's picture


    Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
     
  12. 19Eddy30
    Joined: Mar 27, 2011
    Posts: 3,981

    19Eddy30
    Member
    from VA

    The one that Bob Drakes sells( 20s -30s frame ) DOES NOT fit the 1930 s Virginia size tags,
    It's a nice $20 simple none billet frame though !
     
  13. HOTRODPRIMER
    Joined: Jan 3, 2003
    Posts: 64,779

    HOTRODPRIMER
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    There are more different sized license plates than you can shake a stick at.

    No one makes one to fit the South Carolina license plates form 1932 or 1954 . HRP
     
  14. NMCarNut
    Joined: Nov 28, 2009
    Posts: 638

    NMCarNut
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Cool box. Must date from before political correctness . . .

    double whammy.jpg
     
  15. da34guy
    Joined: Jun 13, 2006
    Posts: 3,708

    da34guy
    Member Emeritus

    Thanx for the tip, Just ordered 1 @ 33 bucks it's CHEEP
     
  16. The type HRP has is your best bet. I'd like to find a frame for this plate. image.jpg
     
  17. HOTRODPRIMER
    Joined: Jan 3, 2003
    Posts: 64,779

    HOTRODPRIMER
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Does Kanter have a online catalog? HRP
     
  18. 30TudorSedan
    Joined: Sep 20, 2007
    Posts: 382

    30TudorSedan
    Member

  19. Hotrodmyk
    Joined: Jan 7, 2011
    Posts: 2,339

    Hotrodmyk
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Has anyone actually seen the Kanter product? I saw one similar at the Portland Swap Meet but it was really cheaply made.
     
  20. Aviator
    Joined: Apr 13, 2008
    Posts: 257

    Aviator
    Member

    I have and consider its quality acceptable for me. After all, I have not found another option for my plate. A license plate without a frame appears unfinished. Opinions?


    Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
     
    Hotrodmyk likes this.
  21. HOTRODPRIMER
    Joined: Jan 3, 2003
    Posts: 64,779

    HOTRODPRIMER
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I would imagine they are made exactly like they were made back in the 50's and they are not the greatest looking piece but when you look at the options it's the best game in town. HRP
     
  22. Slopok
    Joined: Jan 30, 2012
    Posts: 2,991

    Slopok
    Member

    Couldn't one be made from two currently available today? Like the one HRP has.
     
  23. When I was looking for YOM plates for one of my cars I remember seeing the long frames in polished cast aluminum on ePay. Might've been when I was searching for a '39 plate but maybe a search there for the year of your plate will pop up frame to fit it.


    Posted by the twenty lb Rooster app!
     
  24. rusty rocket
    Joined: Oct 30, 2011
    Posts: 5,262

    rusty rocket
    Member

    I think theres a company called night prowlers from arkansas city kansas that has the adjustable frames.
     
  25. rusty rocket
    Joined: Oct 30, 2011
    Posts: 5,262

    rusty rocket
    Member

    Thanks john walker.
     
  26. HOTRODPRIMER
    Joined: Jan 3, 2003
    Posts: 64,779

    HOTRODPRIMER
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

  27. alchemy
    Joined: Sep 27, 2002
    Posts: 22,719

    alchemy
    Member

    I have a couple original adjustable frames like the ones that Kanter repros. Even the old originals are not Concours condition. Remember, they are just a thin chromed frame from the local Pep Boys. I was also lucky enough to find an NOS in the package one at a swap a few years ago. Bought it for $10. Then last summer I noticed a car at a local show with one. The owner said he also bought his NOS in the package, but had to pay $150 for his.

    If I ever had to buy another, I would probably go with that Kanter repro.
     
  28. Bruce Lancaster
    Joined: Oct 9, 2001
    Posts: 21,681

    Bruce Lancaster
    Member Emeritus

    The trombone ones were once very common as there really wasn't a standard plate size until well into the fifties. Ford even offered one as an accessory. The old ones are pretty flimsy, too...and I think the very thin material was needed so the thing didn't look like it had steps in it. They are OK once carefully installed, as the plate supports it well once fully seated in the groove.
    I admired the "Tennessee" ones back then, shaped like the state. You can still see the funny nearly square Delaware ones, as apparently in Delaware a family can maintain the same plate forever, and there are plates going back to the invention of bureaucracy still in service!
    Somewhere on the HAMB there is the mighty craftsman who can build a frame for that Bear, with no fooling around on a mill...it needs a slotted tube frame!
     
  29. 325w
    Joined: Feb 18, 2008
    Posts: 6,502

    325w
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    GM made some like this. Used to be Repop ones from the tri 5 suppliers.
     
  30. atomickustom
    Joined: Aug 30, 2005
    Posts: 3,407

    atomickustom
    Member

    Swap meets and/or eBay. I had some that were stainless steel on a '54 Pontiac back in the 1980s. Better than thin chrome.
     

Share This Page

Register now to get rid of these ads!

Archive

Copyright © 1995-2021 The Jalopy Journal: Steal our stuff, we'll kick your teeth in. Terms of Service. Privacy Policy.

Atomic Industry
Forum software by XenForo™ ©2010-2014 XenForo Ltd.