front number plate

The Oily Bits S1 Specific Topics
1

how is the front number plate held on ? it looks like rivets mines broken off speed humps seem to have got the better of it i cant now go to work without going down a road that has them

2

Get a stick on one that goes just below the Lotus badge. Some people say they are illegal, but that’s just pants.

3

put a small one on i had a 8’’ x 2’’ on my Gt-four never got stopped with it on and my lotus when i get it will be having one on too

4

Get a stick on one that goes just below the Lotus badge. Some people say they are illegal, but that’s just pants.

But they look awful!

5

Get a stick on one that goes just below the Lotus badge. Some people say they are illegal, but that’s just pants.

But they look awful!

And they are illegal (plate must be vertically mounted).

6

If you look on Elise Parts you will find a set of brackets that will allow the front plate to be set at any hight you require. Halfords also have a slightly cheaper version. But remember plates are cheaper than splitters/spoilers.They must be vertical and the letters muct be 3.25 inches high. Stick-on plates are in the main illegal as they do not have the reflective property required and if mounted other that vertical are illegal anyway. The smaller series of letters are only approved for motor cycles. If your car was 1st reg after 01 Sep 2001 there are particular fonts for the letters and numbers. Before that date there is a limited degree of lattitude on the fonts but size and spacing are fixed. If you have plates made up by a non approved supplier make sure they carry the BS for reflectivity clearly embossed.

7

But the stick on ones don’t get in the airflow for the radiator, and don’t get knocked off on the ground. Plus I’d rather see the nice lines of the front of the car uncluttered by some dodgy afterthought mounting bracket. I’ve been stopped because I had iffy letter spacing on the rear, but they never batted an eyelid at the non vertical stick on plate on the front. I had one on my Caterham too, which was basically a horizontal stick on, never got mentioned when I got pulled. Illegal or not, I think the rozzers either don’t know it is, or don’t care, or are too busy eating these donuts. (in the words of the poet Ice-T)

8

As long as you know the legal position the choice and risk is yours!

9

i agree as much as i dont like the front number plate position it does protect the spoiler my broken one is metal is that original ? or an aftermarket add on? i suppose i should ring lotus find out the cost and then decide that a plastic one or a stick on one is a much better idea !!

10

There is a thread somewhere on this forum already regarding numberplates, it was some time middle of last year from memory. There was a strange outcome regarding the front fitting of number plates and the different variations that exist. Don’t take this as gospel as it was posted by other members not myself - but the agreement was that if you have a stick on plate, a small bike numbered plate or an iregular type face or spacing then not only is it ilegal you get a fine and penalty points on your licence. However if you have no plate at all it’s just a fine !!

11

I agree with my mate soggy on this one. Look how many cars have stick on non vertical plates. Loads of MX5’s etc…

I got pulled last year for blasting past a rozza in a plain silver vectra then a long line of slower motors.

She pulled me up and could not give a flying fandango about my full size stick on. Just let me go with a slow down laddie finger wagging job.

It’s usually at the rozzas discretion. If you are cock with them they will find stuff on your motor to clobber you some how.

In my opinion it’s better to have no reason to be pulled up ie a vertical plate but I think the stick on ones at the correct size are a miles better option than a smaller bike type plate - I really do think that you are asking for it with one of those.

As for aesthetics - that’s just personal. Mine is stone chipped and scratched etc… I think it suits the ‘track day raw used’ look of the car in my case.

I’m more interested in the mechanicals being right than polishing

12

Mine is stone chipped and scratched etc… I think it suits the ‘track day raw used’ look of the car in my case.

Yeah, Trackday Warrior

13

I said ‘look’

I have done one track day per year of ownership I’ll have you know - so thats 2

It’s not going to get any easier escaping on a weekend!!!

[image]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b4/captaincunto/baby-crossland.jpg[/image]



My to do list is getting longer by the day!!!

14

Hey, matey, only jesting, but you know that anyway

Hope you manage to get a day or two in this year - you obviously enjoy it, & you’ve certainly got the hang of it

15

Did I miss the announcement in The Times?

16

goods news just spoke to b&c �14 for the bracket being ordered direct from lotus
decided on the original as its metal and therefore will cope with the speed humps better that a plastic replacement,.

17

Hey, matey, only jesting, but you know that anyway

Hope you manage to get a day or two in this year - you obviously enjoy it, & you’ve certainly got the hang of it

I know and bring it on - it’s the best bit of being part of the gang

Re Track days - Not aaarrf - I’m hooked Caddy was just superb. Croft in the pissing rain on spanking new R888’s was horrid but fun in the end.

I simply can’t be arsed with it on the road it’s horrid round our way. The surfaces are like cart tracks and there’s a feckin speed camera or bobby round every corner.

As I have always said the old 111s was a dream on the road even when it’s shockers were fooked!

I long to be a track day warrior! one day

18

Healthy looking boy there looks ready for action already congrats to her in doors. Paul

19

Surely if the stick on ones are illegal, then it wouldn’t pass its MOT would it?

20

A 192 kit is not road legal either