Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

I know this might seem a bit odd, but I am looking for information about how I might extend my license plate beyond my front bumper so that I can attach club badges without damaging any part of my car. At the fall meet last week, I met a member whose 1955 400 has an license plate extension with a really cool steel rod on top upon which he has attached three badges. As is typical, I forgot to write down the information that he told me about where to acquire these.

In the attached photo, my car on the right show the regular license plate setup, while the 400 on the left and in the inset shows the extension. I am sorry that I could not more detail in this photo, but it should give you the idea.

Attach file:

---

  (97.15 KB)

The plate holder bracket I believe just screws into the bottom of the grille crossbar. So a piece metal could be fashioned as an adapter to extend it. A piece of thick aluminium or steel, cut it to the same width as the top of the bracket, and then drill holes in to mount the plate bracket to near the front. Two small bolts with nuts will hold that together. Then drill two more holes in the back of the metal to match up with the holes on the grille crossbar, and use the original screws/bolts to mount that to the crossbar.

So, a piece of metal, a drill, and a couple of bolts/nuts should do it. Just use a thick piece of metal so it doesn't bend from air pressure hitting the license plate during driving. Like a piece of 1/8" plate or so, and paint it and the bolts black. Then it won't be noticed. It's pretty much a 30 min project.

Only modern bars I see for sale on ebay use license plate holes & require a flush plate and bracket or bolt directly into bumper. With the Packard front plate being recessed under the top bar seems it would be hard to mount that type without drilling holes.

I seem to recall seeing a badge bar on a PI projects table some years back. If anyone made one for Packards, they or one of their regions would probably be the likely source. IIRC they used to have some kind of badge awarded for tours or maybe it was shows. They don't have a projects page on their website so maybe a phone call to their headquarters would provide info as to availability or a lead.

If no luck there, then with the regular bracket mounting screws exposed and easily available under the bumper bar, If you didn't want to make something as Kev suggested or can't find anything made, wonder if a regular universal type license plate holder could be used. Several types are on ebay so possibly one of those could be modified and inverted and would bolt using the existing holes.

The regular front license plate holder fastens to the bottom part of the bottom grille opening. Seems a bracket could be fabricated that would take advantage of those existing holes. I agree, 1/8" aluminum or steel is a good material to use. It could be a fun project to do and share with us.

(o{}o)

I haven't been on the forum in awhile and was surprised today to see a picture of my 400 from the Fall 2014 Old Dominion Packard Club meet. Really nice picture of the front end. Thanks for posting it MrBumble.

What I did was entirely by accident. When I bought my car it didn't have a front license plate holder. I ordered one from Tucson Packard and put it on. It bolts behind the front bumper and is a sort of an s-shaped bracket. I don't know if I installed it backwards, upside down or if it's the wrong bracket, but it sticks out in front of the bumper.

I also wanted to put some club badges on my car and figured the license plate bracket sticking out in front was an obvious solution. I bought a grill bar from Triple-C Auto Accessories and mounted it between the license plate and the bracket. The grill bar has adjustable brackets so it was easy.

I've never checked the bracket on other cars so I don't know if I have the correct bracket or not. But it fit the curve of the bumper perfectly and the bolt holes lined up perfectly. It just sticks out.

Hope this helps.