Saggy Plate Syndrome

[nirvanaman]

Just got my new custom black plates. Beofre I install them, would like to solve the saggy plate problem. Without screw holes the keep the rear license plate in place, it tends to just fall down inside the surround exposing the top mounting holes. Has anyone solved for this with an elegant solution? I've done a ton of searches but can't seem to find anything.

[Bitsyncmaster]

I think I used hot glue to keep it from moving.

[content22207_2]

Replace the bottom plastic clip with a bolt and let the license plate rest on the shank, held in place with the head:

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Bill Robertson
#5939

[David T]

Replace the bottom plastic clip with a bolt and let the license plate rest on the shank, held in place with the head:

44128 44129 44130

Bill Robertson
#5939

There is also supposed to be a piece of 1/8" glass covering the license plate. Ordinary window glass is all it is.

[Bitsyncmaster]

Depending on your plate color, you may want to glue some colored objects over the four holes in the plate. I glued some white vinyl over the four holes on my plate.

[Drive Stainless]

Depending on your plate color, you may want to glue some colored objects over the four holes in the plate. I glued some white vinyl over the four holes on my plate.

This, ladies and gentleman, is what DeLorean ownership is all about. :thumbup2:

[nirvanaman]

Awesome suggestions all! Going to give them a try tomorrow. Thanks!

[BladeBronson]

There is also supposed to be a piece of 1/8" glass covering the license plate. Ordinary window glass is all it is.

I never knew this. It explains why I've had to use cardboard behind the plate to make it hold tightly. I've never noticed another DeLorean with glass, but I wasn't looking for it either.

[content22207_2]

I thought David was joking.

Ordinary plate glass is illegal in automobiles.

#2508 was bone stock when I bought it (sitting since 1985). Long expired license plate was all by itself in the holder.

Trivia: license plate holder is the only ERM part on the car (I've heard that some early rear closing panels were ERM as well, but that could be lore).

Bill Robertson
#5939

[David T]

I thought David was joking.

Ordinary plate glass is illegal in automobiles.

#2508 was bone stock when I bought it (sitting since 1985). Long expired license plate was all by itself in the holder.

Trivia: license plate holder is the only ERM part on the car (I've heard that some early rear closing panels were ERM as well, but that could be lore).

Bill Robertson
#5939

Ordinary plate glass IS illegal in cars, except when the manufacturer puts it in and it isn't in the passenger compartment. You are also not supposed to obstruct the view of the license plate. In some States they won't let you use a frame on the plates! Check it out though, the glass was standard equipment when the cars were delivered new.

[mr_maxime]

You could just get some clear acrylic or polycarbonate

[content22207_2]

I'm calling shenanigans on this one.

While it should be patently obvious:

In the past half century no manufacturer has used ordinary household window glass in any automobile application.

Federal law specifies glazing requirements for automobile glass (49 CFR 571.205).

Nowhere in DMC's parts manual is any sort of license plate glass even listed. Houston does not offer license plate glass, NOS or reproduction.

Even pickup truck caps use safety glass (or lexan) for crying out loud -- not ordinary plate glass.

The idea of DMC sticking panes of ordinary household glass on their cars is just plain silly.

Bill Robertson
#5939

[81dmc]

The idea of DMC sticking panes of ordinary household glass on their cars is just plain silly.

Bill Robertson
#5939

You never know!

After all, they drilled pressure relief holes in early cars and secured the radiator duct with door shim plates...:smashfreak:

[Patrick C]

There is also supposed to be a piece of 1/8" glass covering the license plate. Ordinary window glass is all it is.

Nowhere has this ever been mentioned in any factory documentation or in the concours manual.

I don't believe this to be accurate.

[sdg3205]

I think you've been smoking some strong stuff Dave. Plate glass? No.

[FABombjoy]

they drilled pressure relief holes in early cars
Are you referring to the air extraction holes near the rear speakers? Eventually I'd like to get this system working properly. It was a good idea executed poorly.

With all new inner seals I've noticed that the doors are much easier to close if the opposite window is open. If cabin air extraction was functional this wouldn't be a problem. You'd also have improved airflow on outside vent settings.

[81dmc]

Are you referring to the air extraction holes near the rear speakers? Eventually I'd like to get this system working properly. It was a good idea executed poorly.

With all new inner seals I've noticed that the doors are much easier to close if the opposite window is open. If cabin air extraction was functional this wouldn't be a problem. You'd also have improved airflow on outside vent settings.

Yes.

Maybe it could be fixed using a one-way valve?

[FABombjoy]

Yes.

Maybe it could be fixed using a one-way valve?
There are some universal valves available. I've thought about installing a pair to help with the doors but it's far down the list of future projects.

[nirvanaman]

Well took some advice and inspiration from Bill R and Bitsyncmaster. Unscrewed the lower screw and found just enough plastic from the broken retention bracket to be able to wedge the plate into place. Then took the shiny side of some black duct tape, taped that to the sticky side of another piece of tape, then taped over each of the screw holes on the plate. A bit janky, but seems to do the job OK.

One photo posting upside down for some reason and can't figure out how to right it.

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[sdg3205]

If it makes you feel any better, I use duct tape back there too, eric!

[DMCMW Dave]

I've never seen nor heard of any covering over the rear plate, glass or plastic. I agree with the shenanigans comment.

My favorite way to keep the plate from moving around is to stick some foam weatherstripping tape (hardware store stuff, usually about 3/16" thick) to the back of the plate. This will keep it from sliding around.

There are supposed to be three clips on the back, but the bottom one is often gone and the others tend to have the screws freeze up anyway.

[nirvanaman]

If it makes you feel any better, I use duct tape back there too, eric!

Nice. Whatever works :)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[BladeBronson]

Trivia: license plate holder is the only ERM part on the car

Bill Robertson
#5939

What is ERM?

[sdg3205]

What is ERM?

JZD's elastic recevoir moulding.

Also, ERM is also used in the fake grill s behind the doors IIRC

[JAZ_DMC]

Replace the bottom plastic clip with a bolt and let the license plate rest on the shank, held in place with the head:

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Bill Robertson
#5939

I know I'm quoting a post from 2016 here, but I love this suggestion. Great stuff!

[DMCVegas]

There was a recent Facebook post where someone discovered near-perfect metal retaining clips that will fit just fine. They're apart of a picture hanging kit, and work just fine without ever having to worry about breaking them.

[Sirolf]

Just velcro the plate to the fascia and place the bezel on top of that

[JAZ_DMC]

There was a recent Facebook post where someone discovered near-perfect metal retaining clips that will fit just fine. They're apart of a picture hanging kit, and work just fine without ever having to worry about breaking them.

I saw that too. I was liking that approach too.

[iflights]

New replacements from DMCH don't have any bottom support element at all. No screw holes, no ledge, nothing..only 2 holes on either side lengthwise. Just had to get one to replace the OE ERM frame.

[r00b]

I saw that too. I was liking that approach too.

Do you have a link?

[Mark D]

Do you have a link?

Pretty sure it was this thread here:
http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?17463-Refreshing-the-License-Bezel

I kinda like that I can move my plate around a little bit behind the bezel... it makes it easy to attach the new registration sticker every spring. The bezel has that inner radius which makes it difficult to tuck the sticker underneath. Having the plate a little loose allows me to slide it up, attach new sticker, slide back down.

http://dmctalk.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=60387&d=1560543120

[JAZ_DMC]

Pretty sure it was this thread here:
http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?17463-Refreshing-the-License-Bezel

That's the one. Thanks for responding.

I just picked up the picture hanging clips at Home Depot tonight. I'm in Pennsylvania, which did away with registration stickers a few years ago... so no need to move the plate around.

[r00b]

I'm selling some sets of metal clips.
6041460415
http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?17497-Metal-License-plate-clips