On the vantages, if the dealer has the front plate drilled, when you take it off, is there a hole in the front bumper? Or is the license plate reinforced through the front grille so there are no holes drilled into the front bumper?

 

there is a frame behind the grill that the plate holder screws into. Unless the dealer drilled into the bumper already.

 

I got my Vanatage from the US (no front plate) Front plates are required in Ontario but I didn't want to drill the bumper/spoil the front look of the car so I made my own bracket . Just a simple piece of reasonable thickness sheet metal bent at 90 degrees then used some aluminum flat bar the make some plate supports . The sheet metal fastens to the front undertray . I drilled it and installed nutserts so it can accept a 1/4" bolt . The whole thing can be removed easily and all that will be left is the nutserts in the undertray .


Pics aren't great but you get the idea .

 

Are you able to actually post up better pics when you get a chance? Unfortunately I live in a state in the US where front plate is required as well

 

Please don't drill into the front bumper of any Vantage. All Astons sold in the USA come from the factory with a front plate mounting bracket. If you bought your car used and it doesn't have one, chances are the previous owner did not include it with the car when it was sold. The bracket bolts into two black vertical beams in the front structure of the car. If you look through the slats behind the grille you should see the holes where the bolts go.

You can contact your dealer to get a replacement bracket. If you live in a state that requires a front plate, they should supply you one at time of sale, so make sure to ask for it.

 

Exception = V12VS. Those for NA come with horrid holes in the grille (mesh, no longer slats) to allow plate mounting. I specifically requested mine without holes. So far so good with the front plate on suction cups - there, now I've jinxed myself...

 

These are better . Im also going to put 2 more nutserts closer to the front to eliminate the flex in the sheet metal . If you used thicker sheet it would be better .

 

Yes, my dealership didn't know which part number had the holes for the mesh grille and which one didn't. My car came with both grilles and they returned the one with the holes. Of course, if you are required to have a front plate, the bracket hides the holes, so I don't know why you didn't go with that instead of suction cups.

 

Much as I dislike it, I read somewhere that the relatively ugly stock mount (that mine came with) provides a small bit of protection as it sticks out and is designed to crush first (say in those instances where someone backs into you while parked).

Not sure if that's true but it's got to be better than a flat plate. And yes I'd prefer to have no front plate at all.

 

So does covering the front of your car with bubble wrap or styrofoam, but it doesn't mean I'd want it on the front of my car.

 

You just answered your question to me. I don't want an ugly bracket on the front of mine any more, either. I got tired of looking at it on my old V12V. Any time I'm not driving the S, I take the plate off - easy with suction cups. And when the plate's off, I don't want to be staring at two holes in the grille...

 

Perfect, thank you!

 

I found this place which made me a replica of my licence plate and all I had to do was stick it. Any thought on it?
This is their site http://customlicenseplates.us

 

I just used some double-sided foam tape, and it hasn't budged in three years.

 

I know this is an old post I'm quoting, but in case anyone that has a V12 Vantage S grille with holes in it to mount the license plate, the mesh alone can be swapped out if you want to remove the front plate:
http://www.redpants.lol/shop/v12-van...ille-mesh-only