The 'E' Type Forum

Hello all,

I have just got my series 2 back from the paint shop and it looks so much better without a front number plate - it previously had a stick-on one on the bonnet.

What are the options - I have seen the small number plates attached on the lower body below the bumper, but are these illegal ? Or are they legal but will attract the 'wrong' attention ?

Also, I have a 1978 Fiat, can I use old style black and white plates on this, or do I need moden ones ?

Any help appreciated.

Regards

Also, I have a 1978 Fiat, can I use old style black and white plates on this, or do I need moden ones ?

Only cars up to 1973 can have the old style plates.

As far as your e type goes, i would just use the correct stick-on plate, its not worth attracting any unwanted attention, and i kind of like the stick on number plate, as very few other cars are allowed to use them anyway.

Yes Mystery Type is right that only cars up to 1973 can have the old style plates.

I have a '75 Fulvia wearing old style plates. I do have a pair of correct plates, which I used to religiously swap over come MOT time, but these days I don't bother and no one to date has pulled me up on it.

Paradoxically my father ran his '69 E-type around for many years on incorrect post-'73 plates following a prang and repair in 1975, and no one ever pulled him up for that either....

8)

There is no requirement to use old style plates on pre 1973 cars so your father's e was perfectly legal throughout

christopher storey wrote:your father's e was perfectly legal throughout

I would have expected nothing less of the Old Boy!

:D

I have had the front plate taken off my E-type, as you say, they look so much better.

Ive run various cars without a front plate for years without a problem, if its a nice car the coppers are usually too busy checking the car itself out to notice. One the one occasion I did get a pull I explained politely that the car had just been painted and I had the new number plate ready to go on but not got the sticky pads yet (have a new front plate in your boot of course)

Having a small plate is a DEFINATE fine as you are knowingly breaking construction and use laws

I've never installed a front plate on mine in the 15 years since I restored it, even though one is legally required here in Ontario (and there's no provision for a self adhesive version here either).

I was asked about it only once in all that time by a policeman. I pointed out that there was nowhere to fix a plate and I couldn't bring myself to drill mounting holes in that beautiful bonnet. The copper had to agree with that and nothing more was said.