Thread: Starting to look like a car.

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If I put it under the nose, it would scrape the paint off the highway centerline. Maybe I could make a buck plowing snow?

Yep, VA requires two plates - unless you have an antique that was only set up for one. Mine are standard plates.

I may be able to get by without one. The local cops are used to seeing only one on certain hot rods.

But officer . . . <fill in a good excuse>

I would say leave off the front plate until you get stopped. then pull it out of the trunk and say your mounting bracket broke or some other excuse. if he gives you a fix it ticket figure a way to put the plate on and if not wait until the next time your stopped.

Jack, I agree with leaving it off. Unlikely a cop will cite you for it unless they are a real prick. Worse case it could be your "dragging" plate. Just wire tie (or bungie) it the front end and let it wave in the wind. If you go fast enough it won't hit the ground (air pressure will keep it aloft).

Of course it will be a violation because it will be below the scrub line, but hell, we are all outlaws in the eyes of the DMV anyway.

I vote for leave it off. Not having the front plate on my daily driver got me out of a speeding ticket recently. Id rather pay the fix it ticket than a speeding ticket any day.

- First inspection - passed easily
- First trip of any distance - 30 mi
- First engine problem - poly-lock came loose, big clicking, big miss, heavy sweating until I got home. A few dents in the rocker. Easy fix.
- First performance improvement - Switch the vacuum advance from manifold to ported. Unbelievable difference.
- First tow home - Holley red fuel pump quit. I was about 3 miles from home, and the wife came and towed me about halfway back. When we got in the subdivision, the pump had cooled off, and it ran again . . . long enough to get in the garage. I think it's overheating and going on thermal shutdown. I'll pull it apart and see if there is any junk in it.
- First thumbs up . . . and second . . . and third . . .

Bet the last one made you forget all about the first 5.

Remarkable how just one digit will either make your day or not. Depending upon the digit, of course

Jack,
I'm coming in on the tail end of this thread, but your bad '34 is making me rethink my options on a similar style '32. Great job, and an even better look from all of your pictures. And yes, I am right in your old backyard of SW OP - still putting in time at 114th & Lamar, atop the hill with B&V.

is it possible for you to suction cup the plate to your windshield?

That is going to be one hell of a head-turner!

Barb,

My windshield is about 6" high. With the state inspection sticker, and the DoD ID stickers, I'd need radar if I put anything else near the windshield.

rspears,

Black and Veatch, huh? My daughter-in-law (KCK) used to work there - and I used to be the chief engineer for Missouri Gas Energy. Small world.

Hi Jack/Henry,

I am trying to look at the back posts and catch up on your progress. Thanks for the info on the Va registration. The home upholstery work looks very good, maybe I will try to upholster my rumble seat area myself, eventually. I am trying to shift gears back to the car and I guess I have at least two months of good temperatures left to get back to it. I appreciate your documentation of problems along the way.

Don Shillady
Retired Scientist/teen rodder

even if u could put it on the windshield the cops would get u for view obstruction,i agree with mopar leave it off there,s a lot of little laws most cops dont pay attention too.

Jack,
A question on your grille - did you cant it back from stock a bit, and was that part of the problem getting the hood sides to fit? Your 'look' is perfect - just wondering about the shell to body relationship.

rls

RLS,

The grille shell is a specially designed 'glass unit with SS tubing installed. I didn't come up with the idea. It came that way. The problem wasn't with fitting hood sides. It was fitting the hood sides that Gibbon supplied with the car. They were junk - and had a horrible attachment method. After seeing the car with no hood sides, it just may stay that way.

BTW, I've invented a new word. Gibboned. I've been Gibboned again. I've noted this before, but when they narrowed the axles, they messed up the inside behind the bearings so a seal won't fit. Since the bearings are sealed, I tried HT silicone, but that started leaking. So, today, I pulled the axles. On Monday, I'm going to have a new set of bearings installed that I bought from Currie. They are sealed, and have an o-ring installed in the outer race. I figure (hope?) that will solve the problem.

Just another set of parts that Gibbon supplied that I had to throw away. I'm getting used to it, but hopefully, this is the last time I've been Gibboned.

Jack,
I assume that the grille shell was also from Gibbon and came as part of their "kit" that they call their 'viper'? From your experience their QA/QC is non-existent. Are you aware of other sources for a similar grille?
roger