I hated the heavy-looking black 'box' that mounted the front number plate on the front bumper, so I removed it and got a self-adhesive plate made, shrunk to 90% from the standard NZ size. the black mount is a wide one for a Singapore car, which takes long plates, about the size of a UK plate. Our NZ plates are much smaller.

I am really happy with the appearance - gone is the nose-heavy look that the protruding number plate gave the car, and the side profile is much nicer

 

You're lucky to be in a jurisdiction which allows alternative plates. At least the format is limited in height.

You should take a look at most North American plates which are all higher and narrower. A limited number of states at least put some thought into the graphics, and a rare few use something other than a rectangle.

They are all otherwise universally ugly and fragile. The only recent design "improvements" are more reflective backgrounds to suit laser guns.

 

technically I am breaking the law. But there is a long tradition of this sort of thing on the noses of E-types, MX-5s etc

 

I really love that in Arizona, we aren't required to display a front plate at all, so none of mine have one! Front plates seem awkward to display on most cars, the X300 no exception. Also the USA cars have a narrower plate area on the boot, as compared to UK and ROW cars, to suit the narrow plate. A thoughtful touch.

Clever idea, AL!

 

Come to think of it ... they've "globalised" everything else ... why not license plates?

And the one thing that would be sensible in plastic remains metal. Usually with a bad paint job.

 

Hm you should do something with the empty holes, and about the plate; is it the photo or did you not put it straight?

Really great color btw ;-)

 

California just authorised Digital LED license plates. When a vehicle is motionless, the license number disappears and is replaced with advertisements or traffic alerts. Only a matter of time before auto manufacturers start integrating the technology in vehicles straight from the factory, and eventually no plates at all. A car with an expired registry will have an extinguished LED, making em exceedingly easy to spot. And no more waiting weeks for plates on new vehicles.

Why digital license plates are a great idea | Technically Incorrect - CNET News

 

Hmm... the home state of Google.

No, I want long rectangular plates just like in the UK.

 

This guys will make adhesive license plate replicas Custom License Plates - Adhesive license plate replica
Got one about a year ago and still there!