The Ford Barn

oldforder · 02-04-2018, 01:11 PM

when I got my 29 a few months ago, the plate was mounted on the light bar in front of the radiator like most of them. My wife thought it looked funny, so I moved it on to the bumper. looks good there but now the radiator kinda looks bare. Is there any reason that it should be on the light bar? Would it help protect the radiator? I know that for judging it needs to be on the bar, but this car will never be judged. At least not while I own it. I kinda think I would like to put it back where it belongs, but also important to keep the wife happy. So if there is no compelling reason to put it back, I guess I will keep it on the bumper.Thoughts??

jimalabam · 02-04-2018, 01:15 PM

Originally mounted on light bar, as most other cars of the time... License plates or mounting should not effect judging...

Y-Blockhead · 02-04-2018, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldforder

when I got my 29 a few months ago, the plate was mounted on the light bar in front of the radiator like most of them. My wife thought it looked funny, so I moved it on to the bumper. looks good there but now the radiator kinda looks bare. Is there any reason that it should be on the light bar? Would it help protect the radiator? I know that for judging it needs to be on the bar, but this car will never be judged. At least not while I own it. I kinda think I would like to put it back where it belongs, but also important to keep the wife happy. So if there is no compelling reason to put it back, I guess I will keep it on the bumper.Thoughts??

You will probably find the radiator cools better without the license plate blocking the air flow.

rocket1 · 02-04-2018, 02:21 PM

If that will keep your wife happy,go for it!

jimvette59 · 02-04-2018, 03:14 PM

Oldforder . Wives are always right. I think ?

Dutie · 02-04-2018, 03:18 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by rocket1

If that will keep your wife happy,go for it!

I'm with rocket 1.... keeping the QUEEN happy is oh so important.

Patrick L. · 02-04-2018, 03:20 PM

No one is happy unless the wife is happy, or so I've heard.

Bill G · 02-04-2018, 03:28 PM

Mine has no plate on the front and I guess the only reason it doesn't look bare is because I am used to looking at it. My advice is to make your wife happy when it comes to "A" ownership. By the way, now that my wife's shoulder surgery is all healed up, she really enjoys driving it. It's wonderful having a hobby that my wife enjoys participating in. She is pretty good at double clutching!

Mike V. Florida · 02-04-2018, 04:45 PM

nope no compelling reason

Larry Jenkins · 02-04-2018, 04:58 PM

If you live in a state that does not require a front plate, it would look nice with a restored original year plate.

Many Suppliers have the nice stainless steel clamps.

JOHN CT · 02-04-2018, 05:38 PM

Have you thought about a stone guard? I have one on my A and it fills in the radiator and protects it

burner31 · 02-04-2018, 05:54 PM

When it comes to my Model A, the Wife's opinion takes the back seat.

wingski · 02-04-2018, 06:00 PM

Call Nebraska DMV and find out if a front plate is even required on that car.

I’ve seen model A’s with the front plate hooked in place so there was air flow through that radiator. They looked a little weird with that front plate angled out at the bottom, but anybody who knew anything about over-heating knew exactly why the plate was at an angle.

You and your wife might like the looks of the car without a front plate. I don’t have to have one in front, and I think the front end of my ’29 looks a lot cleaner without a plate.

Mike

Betterlifenz · 02-04-2018, 06:07 PM

What are you - man or mouse? Put it back where it belongs. She probably won't even notice!

eagle · 02-04-2018, 06:13 PM

I told my wife one time that she was wrong...I didn't see anything of her for a week. Then on the 8th day the swelling went down just enough so I could see a little bit out of the right eye...

davehc · 02-04-2018, 06:15 PM

Ther's another saying also , " Happy Wife , Happy Life " . But then I think I'm still sorting that one out .

Simonpie · 02-04-2018, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Y-Blockhead

You will probably find the radiator cools better without the license plate blocking the air flow.

Am I the only one who just got an urge to cut louvers in his license plate?

michael a · 02-04-2018, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simonpie

Am I the only one who just got an urge to cut louvers in his license plate?

I don't leave for a minute there is any such thing as keeping a wife happy

Sent from my SM-J700T using Tapatalk

Dr. OldKat · 02-04-2018, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davehc

Ther's another saying also , " Happy Wife , Happy Life " . But then I think I'm still sorting that one out .

Or, alternatively, "If Momma ain't Happy, ain't nobody Happy".

One of my early managers in the industry I am in told me that, he was about 32 year sold at the time. He went on to be the CEO at a major company, so I figure he must know something!

Ray in La Mesa · 02-05-2018, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simonpie

Am I the only one who just got an urge to cut louvers in his license plate?

I have a 1916 Illinois plate with vertical slots stamped between the #'s so someone thought of it.

burner31 · 02-05-2018, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray in La Mesa

I have a 1916 Illinois plate with vertical slots stamped between the #'s so someone thought of it.

I've never seen one like that.
How about a picture of that vented plated?

100IH · 02-05-2018, 10:39 AM

Take the wife to a major national event and don't say a word. You know they will all be as originally designed. What looks funny is just what is different today vs. 80+ years ago.

BILL WILLIAMSON · 02-05-2018, 10:45 AM

I modified a tail light license bracket & mounted it under the R/H bumper clamp, like on a '32, one of my favorite cars I've owned.
Bill W.

SeaSlugs · 02-05-2018, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by burner31

I've never seen one like that.
How about a picture of that vented plated?

here ya go - looks like they stopped in 1918. Im honestly suprised IL would do this and not a state that melts your face like arizona or texas or new mexico

DougVieyra · 02-05-2018, 03:04 PM

You CAN have "your cake, and eat it too"!

During the twenty's and thirty's and forties - there were available accessory license plate holders that mounted on the 'horn' of the front bumper. Looks (and is) very professional in both placement and mounting. I have these on both of my Model A's. The only down-side, is that the inside edge of the license plate puts your arm at risk during the hand-cranking of the engine.

Alternatively, the front plate can be mounted on the front bumper itself. That would meet with state requirements (if any), without interfering with the airflow cooling of the radiator.

Growley bear · 02-05-2018, 03:31 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by oldforder

when I got my 29 a few months ago, the plate was mounted on the light bar in front of the radiator like most of them. My wife thought it looked funny, so I moved it on to the bumper. looks good there but now the radiator kinda looks bare. Is there any reason that it should be on the light bar? Would it help protect the radiator? I know that for judging it needs to be on the bar, but this car will never be judged. At least not while I own it. I kinda think I would like to put it back where it belongs, but also important to keep the wife happy. So if there is no compelling reason to put it back, I guess I will keep it on the bumper.Thoughts??

Happy Wife equals Happy Life

Y-Blockhead · 02-05-2018, 11:16 PM

Sometimes I wonder if people read the other posts in a thread before adding their own comments...

KenCoupe · 02-06-2018, 01:13 AM

Seems to me that if you went to an event where you want it mounted on the headlight bar, it would only take a few minutes to change it. Put it where you like it and enjoy driving the car!

Bikerider58 · 02-06-2018, 01:35 AM

I did not like the look on the light bar and moved the plate to the bumper. Yes, that big radiator with bent fins (from the plate mount) and other stuff isn't the greatest look. I plan to put on a guard to cover it some day.

burner31 · 02-06-2018, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeaSlugs

here ya go - looks like they stopped in 1918. Im honestly suprised IL would do this and not a state that melts your face like arizona or texas or new mexico

Those are pretty cool, first time I've seen anything like that.
Thank you for sharing

SeaSlugs · 02-06-2018, 10:18 AM

Heres a question: Why do teens/20/30's plates always seem to have the 4 "nail holes" in the corners? This is true for multiple states ive seen. Are they just alignment holes for the number stamping process?

Tom Wesenberg · 02-07-2018, 03:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeaSlugs

Heres a question: Why do teens/20/30's plates always seem to have the 4 "nail holes" in the corners? This is true for multiple states ive seen. Are they just alignment holes for the number stamping process?

They made good mouse hole patches for granaries and barns.

pooch · 02-07-2018, 04:05 AM

Get a new wife that likes it on the bar.

Vin-tin · 02-07-2018, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Betterlifenz

What are you - man or mouse? Put it back where it belongs. She probably won't even notice!

Or he could always tell her he needs to buy another "A" and put a plate where he wants it.

Oakhurst · 02-07-2018, 12:13 PM

Years ago, while attending a seminar lead by one of the most respected and successful men in this particular industry, he casually said, two of the most important words a man can say is "Yes dear."

Chris Haynes · 02-07-2018, 12:32 PM

Blocking air flow? What about the fan behind the radiator that sucks air through?

02-04-2018, 01:11 PM	#1
oldforder Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Columbus Nebraska Posts: 171	front license plate mount when I got my 29 a few months ago, the plate was mounted on the light bar in front of the radiator like most of them. My wife thought it looked funny, so I moved it on to the bumper. looks good there but now the radiator kinda looks bare. Is there any reason that it should be on the light bar? Would it help protect the radiator? I know that for judging it needs to be on the bar, but this car will never be judged. At least not while I own it. I kinda think I would like to put it back where it belongs, but also important to keep the wife happy. So if there is no compelling reason to put it back, I guess I will keep it on the bumper.Thoughts??

02-04-2018, 01:15 PM	#2
jimalabam Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lee County Alabama Posts: 828	Re: front license plate mount Originally mounted on light bar, as most other cars of the time... License plates or mounting should not effect judging...

02-04-2018, 02:21 PM	#4
rocket1 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Midland Park,N.J. Posts: 1,108	Re: front license plate mount If that will keep your wife happy,go for it!

02-04-2018, 03:14 PM	#5
jimvette59 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Perry OH Posts: 1,339	Re: front license plate mount Oldforder . Wives are always right. I think ?

02-04-2018, 03:20 PM	#7
Patrick L. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Largo Florida Posts: 7,225	Re: front license plate mount No one is happy unless the wife is happy, or so I've heard.

02-04-2018, 03:28 PM	#8
Bill G Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Walla Walla, WA Posts: 1,047	Re: front license plate mount Mine has no plate on the front and I guess the only reason it doesn't look bare is because I am used to looking at it. My advice is to make your wife happy when it comes to "A" ownership. By the way, now that my wife's shoulder surgery is all healed up, she really enjoys driving it. It's wonderful having a hobby that my wife enjoys participating in. She is pretty good at double clutching!

02-04-2018, 04:45 PM	#9
Mike V. Florida Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Florida Posts: 14,054	Re: front license plate mount nope no compelling reason __________________ What's right about America is that although we have a mess of problems, we have great capacity - intellect and resources - to do some thing about them. - Henry Ford II

02-04-2018, 04:58 PM	#10
Larry Jenkins BANNED Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: East Central Iowa Posts: 1,275	Re: front license plate mount If you live in a state that does not require a front plate, it would look nice with a restored original year plate. Many Suppliers have the nice stainless steel clamps. __________________ Good enough.. Isn't.

02-04-2018, 05:38 PM	#11
JOHN CT Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: In my garage Posts: 465	Re: front license plate mount Have you thought about a stone guard? I have one on my A and it fills in the radiator and protects it __________________ 31 Tudor 66 Bonneville 57 Chevy pickup 27 T roadster pick up

02-04-2018, 06:00 PM	#13
wingski Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Cave Junction, Oregon Posts: 432	Re: front license plate mount Call Nebraska DMV and find out if a front plate is even required on that car. I’ve seen model A’s with the front plate hooked in place so there was air flow through that radiator. They looked a little weird with that front plate angled out at the bottom, but anybody who knew anything about over-heating knew exactly why the plate was at an angle. You and your wife might like the looks of the car without a front plate. I don’t have to have one in front, and I think the front end of my ’29 looks a lot cleaner without a plate. Mike

02-04-2018, 06:07 PM	#14
Betterlifenz Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Palmerston North New Zealand Posts: 12	Re: front license plate mount What are you - man or mouse? Put it back where it belongs. She probably won't even notice!

02-04-2018, 06:13 PM	#15
eagle Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Eagle Bend, MN Posts: 2,029	Re: front license plate mount I told my wife one time that she was wrong...I didn't see anything of her for a week. Then on the 8th day the swelling went down just enough so I could see a little bit out of the right eye... __________________ "There are some that can destroy an anvil with a teaspoon and shouldn't be allowed to touch anything resembling a tool."

02-04-2018, 06:15 PM	#16
davehc Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Adrian , Mich. Posts: 386	Re: front license plate mount Ther's another saying also , " Happy Wife , Happy Life " . But then I think I'm still sorting that one out .

02-05-2018, 10:39 AM	#22
100IH Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: SW Idaho Posts: 970	Re: front license plate mount Take the wife to a major national event and don't say a word. You know they will all be as originally designed. What looks funny is just what is different today vs. 80+ years ago.

02-05-2018, 10:45 AM	#23
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: front license plate mount I modified a tail light license bracket & mounted it under the R/H bumper clamp, like on a '32, one of my favorite cars I've owned. Bill W. __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"

02-05-2018, 03:04 PM	#25
DougVieyra Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Eureka, California Posts: 1,716	Re: front license plate mount You CAN have "your cake, and eat it too"! During the twenty's and thirty's and forties - there were available accessory license plate holders that mounted on the 'horn' of the front bumper. Looks (and is) very professional in both placement and mounting. I have these on both of my Model A's. The only down-side, is that the inside edge of the license plate puts your arm at risk during the hand-cranking of the engine. Alternatively, the front plate can be mounted on the front bumper itself. That would meet with state requirements (if any), without interfering with the airflow cooling of the radiator.

02-05-2018, 11:16 PM	#27
Y-Blockhead Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Redondo Beach, CA Posts: 5,884	Re: front license plate mount Sometimes I wonder if people read the other posts in a thread before adding their own comments...

02-06-2018, 01:13 AM	#28
KenCoupe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern California Posts: 239	Re: front license plate mount Seems to me that if you went to an event where you want it mounted on the headlight bar, it would only take a few minutes to change it. Put it where you like it and enjoy driving the car!

02-06-2018, 01:35 AM	#29
Bikerider58 Member Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: SoCal Posts: 53	Re: front license plate mount I did not like the look on the light bar and moved the plate to the bumper. Yes, that big radiator with bent fins (from the plate mount) and other stuff isn't the greatest look. I plan to put on a guard to cover it some day.

02-06-2018, 10:18 AM	#31
SeaSlugs Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Central, IL Posts: 3,968	Re: front license plate mount Heres a question: Why do teens/20/30's plates always seem to have the 4 "nail holes" in the corners? This is true for multiple states ive seen. Are they just alignment holes for the number stamping process? __________________ 1929 Model AA - Need long splash aprons!

02-07-2018, 04:05 AM	#33
pooch Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: South Coast NSW Australia Posts: 2,596	Re: front license plate mount Get a new wife that likes it on the bar.

02-07-2018, 12:13 PM	#35
Oakhurst Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Oakhurst, CA Posts: 140	Re: front license plate mount Years ago, while attending a seminar lead by one of the most respected and successful men in this particular industry, he casually said, two of the most important words a man can say is "Yes dear."

02-07-2018, 12:32 PM	#36
Chris Haynes Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Camarillo, CA and Pine Grove, CA Posts: 2,843	Re: front license plate mount Blocking air flow? What about the fan behind the radiator that sucks air through? __________________ 1921 Runabout 1930 Tudor Early 1930 AA Speed costs money. How fast do you want to go?