I had a conversation with "Doc Wagner" about license plate mounting before he
died. Doc owned the Sunbeam Dealership here in Dayton, Ohio. He was telling me
that Rootes wanted him to mount all license plates on the boot, ( since brackets
were installed at the dealerships) above the bumper. However, he liked it better
under the bumper. So, he mounted them there. He said that there were several
other dealers that he knew that did the same thing. My opinion...I prefer
British number boards on the boot and US license plates under the bumper.
I'm sure it will look fine in either location.
I like the bumperettes. - Ian
Tim Stiffy wrote:
> Jay,
> On my Series 1 Alpine, I installed a British plate below the bumper on the
> original flip-down plate holder. Looks good and original, although without
> the proper number and letter combination for that year and area. On the
> rear, I have the antique plate mounted on the trunk (or is it boot?) with a
> chrome license plate holder. The shiny chrome I think separates the tail
> fins nicely.
>
> Tim
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Jay Laifman <Jay_Laifman(at)countrywide.com>
> To: alpines(at)autox.team.net <alpines(at)autox.team.net>
> Date: Tuesday, November 16, 1999 11:23 AM
> Subject: On plates and bumpers
>
> >
> >
> >
> >Any opinions on where to put the rear license plate and whether or not to
> >put the upright bumpers on?
> >
> >I've been looking at all sorts of pictures trying to decide. Right now, I
> >sort of feel like the rear plate looks like it "belongs" on the trunk
> >instead of below the bumper. And, a long narrow English plate looks much
> >better yet. With a plate below the bumper though, it seems the shape of
> >the trunk is not interrupted. On the other hand, the plate on the trunk
> >seems to tie in to the fins better.
> >
> >As to the bumpers, the earlier chrome ones have a neat shape, much like
> >other classic cars. But, they don't seem to work on the Alpine like they
> >work on the Aston Martin. The later ones with the rubber parts seem to
> >match the shape of the car much better, especially the rear with the fins.
> >I know that the original prototype model from the designer had no upright
> >bumpers. And I've seen plenty of cars that way. But, something doesn't
> >seem quite right - just too much chrome or something.
> >
> >Any thoughts? Remember these are all my opinions - and I'm torn which way
> >to go. I'm not looking for "make it original" thoughts, but more aesthetic
> >thoughts - even though beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I should
> >simply decide for myself!
> >
> >
> >Jay
> >
> >
> >
-- Ian Spencer <www.sunbeamalpine.org> '61 Harrington Alpine B9104782 OD HRO '62 Harrington Le Mans BH9115930 OD LRX
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