MG MGB and MGB GT Tech Talk
How was the license plate mounted on early north american cars?
Directly on the body, or on a metal plate mounted to the body?
Also, I've seen cars without overriders but that have license plate lights. moss doesn't
seem to have these, any idea where I can get them?
There was a black metal plate/bracket that bolted onto the body, and then the license plate bolted onto that. I wish I had a picture, but I gave my last one away.
Steve,
Not sure how early you mean. That was the first thing I removed from my 74 when I got the car. It was a bracket mounted on the bumper (not sure if it was suppose to mount there) then the plate was fastened to it. You can see where I rubber-plugged the two mounting holes. I can dig it out of storage for a photo if you like.
(click on image to enlarge/hosted offsite)
[URL=http://img222.imageshack.us/my.php?image=grille8uo.jpg]
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or do you mean the rear plate? It's like James said. Lights are mounted to the bracket.
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ted
I've got one of those brackets, with the lights on it.
But I think the earlier ones were different.
The earlier ones were different in that they didn't have lights on the sides, and just held the plate. If you are going to run without overriders, you need that later one with the lights, otherwise you won't have license plate lights. Ted's car is an ex Sabrina overrider car from the looks of it, which explains that plate with side lights on there. Oh, and if you want to really complicate things, 70s with the split bumper had the license plate lights in th bumpers, and the license plate mounted down in between the bumper.
Steve: See part nos 61 & 58 on this Moss page. You can probably get the backing plate from Tony or Chris or anyone with a stock of spares. The small angle pieces can probably be easily fabricated. They are used to adjust the mounting to be perpendicular.
<http://www.mossmotors.com/Shop/ViewProducts.aspx?PlateIndexID=29049>
That takes care of front. The rear backing plate is the same and is set off from the body by by washers. The illumination comes from lights attached to the overriders. Fixture is similar to map light except for plinth. here are the Moss cites.
<http://www.mossmotors.com/Shop/ViewProducts.aspx?PlateIndexID=29044#26>
<http://www.mossmotors.com/Shop/ViewProducts.aspx?PlateIndexID=29077>
I can send you pictures next week if you wish. PM me if so.
Bill