Well, it happened again. Another "No front license display" ticket. Less than a month after purchase and while still carrying the temporary 30 day tag (in my trunk). So I went ahead and bit the bullet.
No drilling on painted surfaces.
Here are the parts I used:
2 each angle brackets
2 each bolts with nuts/washers
2 each plate screws

I attached the angles to a plastic piece that protects the bumper. This is an unpainted black plastic "lip". This black plastic "lip" appears to be solid plastic. I initially intended to use an insert and a screw but ended up not using the insert at all and just used the screw.

Disclaimer: No painted surfaces were abused, damaged or touched!

 

Heres a neat idea.....retractable plate.

 

Love the retractable plate!

 

Nice job!
I like it, but the pictures are hard to see. Could you take some close-ups?
Also, perhaps a dimension description on the parts and where you got them.

ChuckJ

 

I will get better pictures and dimensions of the parts. I got the parts from Lowes.

 

not sure how one would justify buying a retractable license plate bracket

you never see that part of your car when driving nor when parked in the garage and who cares what all those unknown people driving ahead of you see in their rear view mirrors..

another expensive toy to show friends(rhetorical)

here's what I did (so as to not drill holes for the oem holder)(the black one on the left - tow hook mount) :

 

Contact your (useless and elected ) state representative that you can make that person a LEGEND. That you can have them WORSHIPPED as a TAX and STATE EXPENSE CUTTER. Here is how:

You explain that the GREAT STATE where you reside can keep the charge for the plates THE SAME and SAVE 50% by just sending one license plate.

You have to speak slowly and use small words because you are dealing with an elected official. It helps to offer doughnuts.

 

Fantastic, thanks.

ChuckJ

 

The angle bracket (also known as "corner brace") is an "L" shaped angle 2 inches x 1 inch. I found it laying around in my toolbox. It was red so I painted it black to make it less noticeable. You should be able to find these types of braces at Lowes. Here is a link to a similar item from Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Ace-01-3404-248-Corner-Brace-2-1/dp/B000OON7T8

The bolt with screw are made of nylon. They are typically sold to secure license plates. I had a few bolts/screws laying around but they were too long so once I tightened the nut, I cut the bolt to allow me to position the plate as close to the bumper as possible. A picture is attached. I can't recall where I bought these but it was either Lowes or Pep Boys. Here is a link to Amazon for something similar:
http://www.amazon.com/Cruiser-Accessories-80150-Fasteners-Import-Nylon/dp/B00032K50U

The self-threading screws came with the license plate holder provided by the dealer.

I hope this helps. If you click on the pictures you can see them better.

 

Guess I should have explained how I saw this on another forum where someone didnt like having a front plate...so their idea was to only display the plate when they saw the police or were getting pulled over.

 

I think a retractable front plate is a great idea, and plan to have one myself. I don't want to see that ugly sucker when my car is parked. The only real reason authorities want a front plate on your car is so they can nail you with a LIDAR/RADAR gun to reflect it off of.

If the ID reason was so important as they allege, you would have front & rear plates mandated on ALL VEHICLES (including motorcycles) AND ILLUMINATED front plates.

 

amazes me that they haven't looked at it from that perspective. in our Province the provincial police have way too much power & have been able to block any momentum.

 

i rested mine on that lower lip and just drilled into the bumper. this placed the plate about 2 or so inches lower & puts it below the side running light lines.

i don't care about the holes. if the next person installs the giant stock plate and bracket they will never see it; if it goes to a no front plate place - just go see Eric and get some paint matched bumper plugs.

 

I'd get the retractable plates and keep them hidden all the time until I was pulled over. When the policeman came to the window to tell me why I was being stopped I would tell him, "Are you sure? Last time I looked they were there. Show me."

Think it would work?

 

I used magnets...centered and removable without leaving holes.