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99 Spec Front Bumper Plate

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Old Sep 12, 2017 | 07:29 AM
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OH 99 Spec Front Bumper Plate

Ordered an OEM 99 Spec front bumper from Japan this week . How do I go about getting a legal (or legal looking) USDM front plate in JDM size??

Another option I'm looking at because I feel option 1 is unlikely, is to run a front vanity plate like shown below.

Anyone have any insight on this one?





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Old Sep 12, 2017 | 07:36 AM
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I have seen the RX-7 ones on ebay.
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Old Sep 12, 2017 | 08:24 AM
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I cant seem to find them anywhere. Its become a real annoyance haha.

Can anyone provide a link? I found a few old threads on them and old postings on Etsy but nothing currently for sale.

Last edited by Mikelivi91; Sep 12, 2017 at 08:30 AM. Reason: misprint
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Old Sep 12, 2017 | 11:05 AM
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Japanese plates:

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/JDM-japanese-...T7p80g&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/JDM-japanese-...PZmteA&vxp=mtr
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Old Sep 12, 2017 | 11:45 AM
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Only place currently making them is LRB Speed
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Old Sep 12, 2017 | 11:50 AM
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Although these will fit, they are not what I am looking for...


If possible I want an OH plate matching my existing plate numbers in JDM plate size (Custom made). After looking I don't think this is a possibility. Option 2 is the half vanity plate shown in the photos with some sort of Mazda logo.


Thanks for the help
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Old Sep 12, 2017 | 11:52 AM
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Originally Posted by Mikelivi91
Although these will fit, they are not what I am looking for...


If possible I want an OH plate matching my existing plate numbers in JDM plate size (Custom made). After looking I don't think this is a possibility. Option 2 is the half vanity plate shown in the photos with some sort of Mazda logo.


Thanks for the help
Oh, you want a state plate made in another size. Unfortunately, that's quite illegal. Might be very hard to get something like that done.
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Old Sep 12, 2017 | 12:03 PM
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Originally Posted by THE TECH
Oh, you want a state plate made in another size. Unfortunately, that's quite illegal. Might be very hard to get something like that done.
That's what I've been told. Even as much as drilling out new holes is illegal... But what makes a vanity plate like RX-7 or Mazda legal and not one that mimics the OH plate with matching letters and numbers to my existing? Aren't they both essentially art work on a placard?


Thanks TECH
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Old Sep 12, 2017 | 12:04 PM
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Originally Posted by Mikelivi91
That's what I've been told. Even as much as drilling out new holes is illegal... But what makes a vanity plate like RX-7 or Mazda legal and not one that mimics the OH plate with matching letters and numbers to my existing? Aren't they both essentially art work on a placard?


Thanks TECH
One isn't trying to represent a state issued license plate. The other is just a statement of what car it is. Quite a huge difference.
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Old Sep 12, 2017 | 12:18 PM
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Originally Posted by THE TECH
One isn't trying to represent a state issued license plate. The other is just a statement of what car it is. Quite a huge difference.

See this is where it throws me for a loop then... The site below sells custom aluminum plates that "mimic" a state issued license plate. Although its not made in the size I need its still legal and can be made to order.

California Replica State License Plate for Bikes, Bicycles, ATVs, Cart, Walkers, Motorcycles, Wagons and Vehicles
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Old Sep 12, 2017 | 12:42 PM
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I cut a piece of aluminum to fit the 99-spec space, then drilled and taped holes to accommodate the state license plate. It wasn't that hard, but there may be off-the-shelf solutions out there


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Old Sep 12, 2017 | 12:50 PM
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Anyway, LRB Speed does have the 99 Spec plates at only $35 and look great! Ordered me 2 sets.

Kudos TECH for the find!

For anyone else looking for the half plates, link below

99 Spec RX-7 License Plate
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Old Sep 12, 2017 | 12:55 PM
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Originally Posted by TomU
I cut a piece of aluminum to fit the 99-spec space, then drilled and taped holes to accommodate the state license plate. It wasn't that hard, but there may be off-the-shelf solutions out there


Tom that's an idea right there. Do you have any pictures with the plates on? Really curious as to how it looks
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Old Sep 12, 2017 | 01:14 PM
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Old Sep 12, 2017 | 01:34 PM
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Man Tom that looks perfect! For some reason I figured the US plate was much smaller... It looks like only a little bit of the backing aluminum is showing in the picture.

Im going to try both options, one with the RX-7 half plates as well as one with the actual OH license plate. Should have some pictures up soon
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Old Sep 12, 2017 | 02:01 PM
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I cut the aluminum to the size of the US plate. Think it's pretty close to the size of a Japanese plate, but the holes are different. You could probably go with just a strip of metal to attach a US plate to, but I wanted a little rigidity below where the bumper ends and the plate overhangs into the mouth of the radiator intake.

If you are not required to have a front plate, I would just go with an RX-7 plate if you can find one, or a used Japanese one
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Old Sep 12, 2017 | 02:10 PM
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Front plate law in OH and the reason I was trying to get a JDM sized OH plate which sounds ridiculous hahah. But after seeing yours and how well the US plate fits I have no more worries. Very simple fix
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Old Sep 13, 2017 | 07:07 PM
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I am making some but I am not yet a vendor for rx7club.com, so please pm me if you are interested in some details.

Tim

Last edited by mkiv98; Sep 16, 2017 at 11:32 PM.
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Old Sep 16, 2017 | 09:35 PM
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Will you make some that's not carbonfiber?just plain black and white letters
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Old Sep 16, 2017 | 11:06 PM
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Originally Posted by kensin
Will you make some that's not carbonfiber?just plain black and white letters
I'll take care of it!

Last edited by mkiv98; Sep 16, 2017 at 11:33 PM.
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Old Sep 17, 2017 | 09:25 AM
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Originally Posted by Mikelivi91
See this is where it throws me for a loop then... The site below sells custom aluminum plates that "mimic" a state issued license plate. Although its not made in the size I need its still legal and can be made to order.

California Replica State License Plate for Bikes, Bicycles, ATVs, Cart, Walkers, Motorcycles, Wagons and Vehicles
Except it's not legal for use on your car if you kept reading.

"Please Note: These plates are novelty vanity plates. These plates are not officially issued registration plates issued by your State government and are not intended to replace the official registrations plates on your motor vehicle."
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Old Sep 17, 2017 | 09:58 AM
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I noticed that also after I posted... After seeing what others have done, and seeing how close the US plate is to the JDM, im going with Toms route using a backer plate to secure the US plate on the bumper. Its a lot tighter fitting than I imagined.

Also plan to run some RX7 vanity plates at the track or at shows. But good news, the bumper came in yesterday so ill be trying some variety of plates on this week



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Old Sep 18, 2017 | 01:04 PM
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Originally Posted by Mikelivi91
I noticed that also after I posted... After seeing what others have done, and seeing how close the US plate is to the JDM, im going with Toms route using a backer plate to secure the US plate on the bumper. Its a lot tighter fitting than I imagined.

Also plan to run some RX7 vanity plates at the track or at shows. But good news, the bumper came in yesterday so ill be trying some variety of plates on this week
What do you mean by tighter fitting? It's too thick?

That bumper looks mint man...and our cars are going to be twins with rpf1 and 99 spec haha
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Old Sep 18, 2017 | 01:28 PM
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Originally Posted by mkiv98
What do you mean by tighter fitting? It's too thick?
I figured the width of the US plate was much smaller than the JDM and would have large gaps on either side of the bumper indentation... After looking at Toms its not as bad as I thought it was going to be. Im going to try a US plate on tonight and see how it looks.

Originally Posted by mkiv98
That bumper looks mint man...and our cars are going to be twins with rpf1 and 99 spec haha
Yeah I was really happy when it arrived, its in great shape and got a fantastic deal on it. And you cant go wrong with the RPF1 and 99 spec bumper, I feel they are a great combo haha.
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Old Sep 18, 2017 | 01:32 PM
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Really love how these bumpers fit on the car. Granted mine is just hanging there but really sets the car off. Plate pics to follow tonight or tomorrow...


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