SO Cal
is that a front bumper mouth that is all chrome or just a chrome frame on top of the stock black mount from Chevy?

 

Hi CJ! I dodn't like the stock front plate mount - it was too wide and looked sloppy with the plate in it. I removed it (drilling out the rivets), and mounted my own billet frame to the bumper.

Since the bumper is angled there, I cut thick rubber bushings (about 1/2" thick), to space the frame off the bumper. Next I went to Pep Boys and bought some plate insert hardware. I drilled holes for the inserts and then dremeled them out square to fit the inserts.

The result is a plate that seems "suspended" out in front of the bumper:



I'm happy with it. (MUCH happier than I was with the stock plate holder!)

 

I was lucky-my front license plate holder was only screwed in place-no pop rivits to drill out. But I prefered mine lower-I used a bracket I bought at Auto Barn, rebent it then drilled new holes in it. Then, I drilled 2 1/4 inch holes under the bumper through the metal part and attached the bracket with stainless steel bolts and nylon bushing nuts (to prevent loosening). Next, I used another plate that is used for custom mounting plates in various positions (to make the installation more rigid) then attached the license to it. It is very sturdy and secure. To fill in the original holes, I found body panal rivits and painted the top ones to match the car.

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I think it really improves the front end of the car when you get the plate off the bumper and in a more discreet area.

 

I'm glad we dont have to have front plates in florida..

 

We don't have front plates in NC either, but a lot of the dealers put their advertisement plate on the front. I told my broker that a front plate mount would be a deal breaker when looking for a car that fits my specs. I do not want holes drilled in my front bumper!

 

I know-I wish I had told my dealer that. But the plastic trim pieces dont look too bad.

 

I picked up my HHR literally off the transport truck. It still had the white protective plastic on the outside when we got there. We didn't let them put the front plate bracket on. I do have the bracket and hardware, though....In my garage

 

Amen to that statement! We're stuck with that BS in Ohio!

 

I'll second that

 

i lowered mine but the plastic frame they put on the bumper made some marks so i may move it up later

looks ok unless u get real close, i painted the screws midnight blue to match the bumper.

i just gently bent the chrome frame to match the bumper till i got it right.
That part worked good.