Euro Plates? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Zerohour3k · #1 04-25-2007, 10:00 AM

Okay, I'm finally considering doing this for real.. rather than keep floundering about it..

After seeing a local W123 pass by with a Euro plate (slapped on a US spec car.. oi), I decided that I really need to get one of these for myself. But before I go running out to buy one, I have a few questions for all of you. Please use a number 2 pencil, and print all your answers. For multiple choice, fill in all circles completely.

1: I have a 1984 300D Euro, and obviously the "blue" border plates weren't around back then. However, I'm not entirely sure if I want to go with the old-fashioned black and white plates.. or the new ones. Both of them look nice, and the black & white ones are more "authentic" of the time-period of my vehicle. In your opinion, which looks better on a W123?

2: I live in New Jersey. This means that cops generally will pull anybody over just for looking at them the wrong way, let alone driving without a valid NJ front-plate (need two tags per car). I thought about mounting a euro plate with my NJ tag numbers on it in the front, but aside from looking tacky as hell.. the cops probably would still be all over it. Obviously, this means I need to mount BOTH plates on the car. The euro would go front and center, since my car still has the original bracket on it. Where is a good location for the NJ plate (aside from tied onto the grille, which looks equally as tacky). How do I secure it?

3: Does anybody have any more advice, when it comes to these plates? If you have both original NJ tags (along with the Euro one), does the DMV still give you grief? I don't want these things to become more trouble than they're worth.. so if you have any advice as to why this is a bad idea / good idea.. please share! Anybody have a good, reputable site to buy from?

Thanks, guys!

SwampYankee · #2 04-25-2007, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zerohour3k

Okay, I'm finally considering doing this for real.. rather than keep floundering about it..

After seeing a local W123 pass by with a Euro plate (slapped on a US spec car.. oi), I decided that I really need to get one of these for myself. But before I go running out to buy one, I have a few questions for all of you. Please use a number 2 pencil, and print all your answers. For multiple choice, fill in all circles completely.

1: I have a 1984 300D Euro, and obviously the "blue" border plates weren't around back then. However, I'm not entirely sure if I want to go with the old-fashioned black and white plates.. or the new ones. Both of them look nice, and the black & white ones are more "authentic" of the time-period of my vehicle. In your opinion, which looks better on a W123?

2: I live in New Jersey. This means that cops generally will pull anybody over just for looking at them the wrong way, let alone driving without a valid NJ front-plate (need two tags per car). I thought about mounting a euro plate with my NJ tag numbers on it in the front, but aside from looking tacky as hell.. the cops probably would still be all over it. Obviously, this means I need to mount BOTH plates on the car. The euro would go front and center, since my car still has the original bracket on it. Where is a good location for the NJ plate (aside from tied onto the grille, which looks equally as tacky). How do I secure it?

3: Does anybody have any more advice, when it comes to these plates? If you have both original NJ tags (along with the Euro one), does the DMV still give you grief? I don't want these things to become more trouble than they're worth.. so if you have any advice as to why this is a bad idea / good idea.. please share! Anybody have a good, reputable site to buy from?

Thanks, guys!

I haven't really looked into it, but CT (which is equally a PITA with the police and DMV) does have a provision for running period correct or origin of manufacture plates. I don't know any of the details, I just remember coming across it when I was looking for vanity plate info. You might want to check with NJ DMV, there might be a way to legally do it.

If you do have to run both plate maybe fab a bracket to hang off the inside lower edge of the bumper. It would still be visible to the police but would be set down and back enough that it wouldn't really stand out.

Boardmonger · #3 04-25-2007, 11:48 AM

you could get a "zoll" plate with the red tag on it. Not sure if its period, but looks nice.

I'd personally go with the old style black and white, and will do so with my 280ce.

JimFreeh · #4 04-25-2007, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SwampYankee

I haven't really looked into it, but CT (which is equally a PITA with the police and DMV) does have a provision for running period correct or origin of manufacture plates. I don't know any of the details, I just remember coming across it when I was looking for vanity plate info. You might want to check with NJ DMV, there might be a way to legally do it.

I believe what you are referring to is the use of vintage tags for the state you are registered in.

For example, I have a 1964 Virginia tag on my 1964 Lincoln Continental convertible sedan and a 1968 Virginia tag on my 1968 MGB roadster. These tags are used in lieu of a standard Virginia antique tag, and carry the same cost advantage and use disadvantage as the standard antique tag.

On my 1986 300E 5 speed, I installed the black/white rectangular tags underneath my VA tags. Worked great until a NAVY gate guard said I could not display two tags at the same time. No amount of logic would convince the drone of any other viewpoint.... State and city police did not give me a hard time about it.

Jim

Hatterasguy · #5 04-25-2007, 01:21 PM

Get whatever euro plate you like the best. They can be period or modern, I am sure there are W123's in Europe with up to date plates on them!

Knock on wood the cops have not pulled me over for mine...yet...maybe I should put one on the rear also, see what they say.

stcbenz83 · #6 04-25-2007, 01:39 PM

i was also thinking of doing this with my euro. Living in IL we have to have front plates also. I was thinking of putting the euro plate front center and then drilling holes and attaching the front plate to the the bottom of the euro plate. Kinda tacky, but not as much as if it were on the grill

deerefanatic · #7 04-25-2007, 09:12 PM

Any Wisconsin folks wanna chime in? My folks are trying to get our place sold and move to WI and I'm ready for it other than I'll miss my euro plate.. I already plan on getting a vanity plate that has the same numbers as my euro as MI is changing from blue plates w/ white letters to white with blue letters, so it'll look at least slightly euro in color!

........... It's about the only even semi-smart thing our dinky governor's doing right now.....

... Though not real smart for a state with a serious budget deficit......