License plate clamps

Mike

Mike

Well-known member
We are having a discussion on license plate clamps. I need proof on this subject which way do the clamps go on a 1930 Tudor sedan? I say 28/29 are positioned down and 30/31 are facing up.
Thanks for the help.
Mike
 
The restoration guidlines say the clamps mounted from above the headlamp bar and the photo shows the licence plate hanging down from the licence clip. The bolt and nut are located above the headlamp bar. If you have the restoration guidelines it also tell what finish the bolts , nuts and washers were for each year. There is also a lot more information on this subject. Page 18-2 revised 2011.
 
The Standards say from the beginning of production until May 1929 license was
below the bar starting in June 1929 the license was above the bar.

Bob
 
They look better turned UP, then the whole bracket is hidden by the license plate & the plate is less prone to being pushed against the radiator.
Bill W.
 
Bob C said:
The Standards say from the beginning of production until May 1929 license was
below the bar starting in June 1929 the license was above the bar.

Bob
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I am curious about something regarding these dates. What date is used for this reference? My engine block which is the main number for the car has a date. But there is also a gas tank date and an assembly plant location and date. Which date do you use to call something May 1929 or June 1929?
 
The license plates were dealer installed. Correct? So wouldn't it have been however the person at the dealership decided to put them on?
When I owned a dealership; the factory, supplied the fasteners. We swapped them out for better quality ones. When I installed plates, I also put anti-sieze on the bolts, so that in 4/5 years down the road, when the car would get traded in, the plates would come off will little to no problems. I was just planning for the future. :).
The Factory never instructed me on how to put on license plates.
That said, I agree with Bill Williamson. I install mine bolts up. Hides all the scratches from years of being used. Jeff
 
JDupuis said:
The Factory never instructed me on how to put on license plates.
That said, I agree with Bill Williamson. I install mine bolts up. Hides all the scratches from years of being used. Jeff
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I agree but let me put another question out there, if this subject is part of the 'Fine Points Judging Standards, who wrote them and when and if there was no instructions back in those Model A days to dealership, then anything about this subject in the Judging standards are made up just to set a conformed standards that really didn't apply when a Model A came off the line.

I have my bolts down, this, IMO, gives more support for the plate against the support headlight bar.
 
I got a box of "Crap" parts one time. Among these parts were a few 30-31 gas tank clamps. With some creative grinding, I was able to make a usable lic. plate clamp. Check my pics and see what you think.
Terry
 
The factory did instruct the dealers how to install the new license plate clips per the Ford Service Bulletins of June 29'; complete with detailed illustration.
 
HoarseWhisperer said:
The factory did instruct the dealers how to install the new license plate clips per the Ford Service Bulletins of June 29'; complete with detailed illustration.
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Thank you for that confirmation......If one is restoring a Model A and 'ALL' the Judging standards are applied.....then that's a perfect restoration but if anything else is deviated because of any reason, then having upside down license clamps is kind of muting everything else that's being done.
 
Here is the section in the Ford Service Bulletins, showing the license clips installed.
Rusty Nelson
 

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cpf240 said:
Where do I find that information?
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production date is in front of where the driver sits on the metal cross member behind the wood floor board. There is a imprinted set of numbers and letters there. It contains a letter code for the plant location and then a number that I believe represents production number of the car within that year and then the date. Mine was very hard to read. I actually took some flour and put it over the area and gently brushed it away so I could make out the stamp. The gas tank stamp is on the lower right of the gas tank inside the engine compartment on the driver side. I am sure you know the engine number location - this number is also essentially the VIN number and is also located on the frame but is typically not visible as it is under the cowl area and the body needs to be off to see it. If the number on the engine and this frame number match then the engine is the original. Actually Steve Plucker has great amount of information on this. Here is a link:

http://www.plucks329s.org/pdf/studies/LETTERS AND NUMBERS AND CODES.pdf
 
If I ever decide to show my car for points.....then maybe, I will see which way my license plate bolts were supposed to be mounted. In the meantime I will continue down the gravel roads that are aboundant where I live. Picking up stone chips, and trying to kill insects that happen upon my windshield. :). Jeff
 
If you look at the Service Bulletin image that Rusty posted, it details valid reasoning why the plate mounting is suggested.

I've only shown my Roadster once, just to see how it would fair. But, I really try to preserve the original components for my own historical satisfaction. For some (not all), it's all in the details. :cool:
 
Like I said it was a discussion, if you are showing your car at a MARC or mafca event you better have the clamps position correctly or you will loose points.
Mike
 
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