I live in ohio and we are supposed to have plates on the front of our cars. I have seen pictures of cars like mine "72 Cutlass s" with plates on the front bumper but I don't see and mounting place on mine. Do you have to make your own holes or other way to mount it? Thanks.

 

Hey B-Mann,

My car is registered in MD, and there were holes in the front bumper when I bought it. I'm curious too, in case I ever decide to replace the front bumper...

 

Every 72 Cutlass front bumper I've ever seen has holes for the front license plate. There is also a stamped sheet metal bracket that holds the bottom of the plate, but you can get by with just the top two bolts if the bracket is missing.

 

I did not have that bracket, and have run with only the top two on for at least 3 years with no problems.

For the top holes, I actually bought a cheap mounting kit for license plates from the auto parts store for a couple bucks and shoe horned the square plastic grommets that came in the kit into the holes (thanks rubber mallet). Then I screwed the screws that came with the kit into the grommets. It's held with no problems.

Looking back, I probably could have just used a couple nuts and bolts of the correct size...oh wells...

 

If you use historical or year of manufacturer plates in Ohio you don't have to run a front plate.

 

The guy I bought my car from had the bumpers painted over because the bumpers had some rust spots and i think they filled in the holes before painting. I looked up some pictures online of some bumpers and where i saw the holes mine doesn't have them. I guess I'll just have to figure out where they were and open them back up.

 

Then go from underneath (behind) the front bumper and fabricate a mounting plate. I can't see in my mind's eye the front bumper of an early 70's Cutlass as it has been a number of years since I worked on one but I seem to recall two brackets that run from the bumper near the center and angle back and out to the radiator cradle. There has to be something you could attach a bracket to. Then you could attach the plate to the bracket. If you can't fabricate it yourself you may be able to find some help at a metal fabrication shop that has the correct tools.

 

Stock bumper has two small dimples where in front plate bolts would go. If dealer (owner) was in state that required front plate, bumper could be drilled uniformly.

If bumper has been replated, chromed - they may get filled.

 

And if you want a brand new black repro bottom bracket, let me know as I bought one, but later decided I did not want to drill the screw holes in the bumper.

 

B-Mann,

Nice ride! I'm in Detroit, saw your car when it was listed for sale on CL. Just a thouhgt: you may able to feel for dimples on the backside where the original holes used to be. Use something really small to mark it from the back before redrilling.

 

Every OEM bumper and decent aftermarket bumper has the holes for the front license plate bracket. If you're interested in a quality GM licensed reproduction take a look at this link to Fusick Automotive. The bracket is not that expensive and you can also get the mounting screws and plastic screw mounts. Makes the finish to your car more authentic.

http://www.fusick.com/catfile/Catalo...Layout%202.pdf

and check out page 19 for the pictures.

LBP682