Front License Plate

[Classic-Chevy-Guy]

When I was at the MacMulkin Reveal this week I asked the GM rep how the front license plate was mounted on the C8.

I was told that the dress panel in the front would pop off, and the license plate would mount to the front of the car.

Asked if this similar to the way the C5 License Plate mounted and he said "Yes".

Hopefully, we can screw in the license plate and then install the dress panel over it.

This approach is so much better than the C6 and C7 Front License Plate designs.

[Klinn]

That's good news, thanks for sharing. For the C6 I bought an aftermarket bracket since GM's approach was not the greatest.

[JB]

I think it was top flight that had a decent solution for the c6..that i use...

the c7 had a nice solution...from the factory..

im sure the c8 will as well.

before going with the top flight i had one after,market solution that put the front plate so low..it was like my curb feeler for protecting the car...

really banged up that plate to the point i had to change to the top flight quick release version which was cool..

in all the years though i never did use the quick release...

i tend to just squint past the front plate when i look at my car...

gotta help the police do their job minimizing car theft ...

[ZoraC2]

Does that mean it will be recessed a bit? It would be great if you could still put a clear or tinted dress plate over it. I know GM def wouldn’t make it but maybe aftermarket.

[John]

Thank you Classic-Chevy-Guy for finding out this front LP mounting info for us 30-state-unfortunates who have to have one.

[Sigmon]

I actually suspected this was the case, way back when we first say the Nuremberg ring test cars.

[deburdett]

There is an RPO Code "VK3" which is the official "License plate bracket, front" that you are supposed to put on after removing the factory cover. And the note says it will be "forced" on all orders being shipped to states that require a front license plate.

[meyerweb]

The license plate bracket that mounted above the grill was forced on all C7 orders to LP states, too, but most dealers just left it in the back and mounted the "aeroplate" instead.

[John]

There is an RPO Code "VK3" which is the official "License plate bracket, front" that you are supposed to put on after removing the factory cover. And the note says it will be "forced" on all orders being shipped to states that require a front license plate.

Welcome deburdett. Good first post. Thank you. What the word “forced” means is that GM will put that option code for a license plate bracket onto your sticker, charge you its $15 price, and as meyerweb noted, throw that part into the trunk of your C8 while it goes down the assembly line. It is up to your dealer as to whether their service department installs it.

Hence, as part of my written contract with my dealership, they do not touch my car (I alone wash it after my Master Tech pulls it into their detail bay); second, they install no vinyl metal advertising nor other item anywhere on the car; and third, they do not install the front LP bracket. My dealership loves all three of my conditions — for less work for them.

Also, a week before the car arrives, I go out and have a face to face with my Service Manager reminding him of all these things. As I always bring a box of 18 pastry for that visit, he and his crew are happy with me. Lastly, while we are talking about such things, with my long term friendship with my GM Master Tech, and literally no one person in the dealership is authorized to move a Corvette not even an inch but he and the Service Manager (written policy because they do not want to buy replacement splitters from lot personnel screwing up), after the PDI, I always give my Master Tech a crisp new $100 bill as my way of thanking him for going out of the way to take special care of my car.

[Jljordann922]

So whos going to be the first person to push one of these GM guys to pop this cover off so us front platers can see what we are working with?! I didnt have it in me to ask Richard lol i dont know if he would have.

[Classic-Chevy-Guy]

Actually I asked Richard at the MacMulkin reveal and he agreed to show me once the crowd calmed down.

Unfortunately, the crowd never calmed down.

Perhaps some Forum member can capture a video in a future reveal.

[NCMlifer]

That's good news, thanks for sharing. For the C6 I bought an aftermarket bracket since GM's approach was not the greatest.

Me too! I had one of those darn things! I still do have a slightly different one for my caddy. They are a pain, at least mine is.

In my 'burb when I bought my caddy new, I had yet to get plates and I had a 'burban LEO (neighboring burb) follow me until she saw the temp tag in the back window. In MN we have dumb little yellow slips that sit in our back windows.

Unlike most states that do it the right way with a temp tag IN THE plate area!! We can't do a lot of things right here, including lic plates. I'm SO envious of those states with back plate ONLY requirements. KY is one of those states, their state car is the Corvette as I'm sure you all know.

I was SO happy to see this on the 8 - GM made it easier (similar to the c4 and c5) with the front plate setup on the 8. Love it!

[John]

We hope that CorvetteBlogger can again capture such a video at the NCM 25th — like his now famous video interviewing Kirk Bennion the night of 1.13.13.