Barry,

I have a 96 and had to take the front bumper off to repaint the lower portion (hit too many curbs). While I had it off I noticed there are supports for the license plate bracket in the support behind the bumper cover. My bracket was installed by the dealer and they must have known where the supports were because the screws were into the supports, and there are no visible indentations on the outside to guide them. If you want I will take some measurements and pics and send them to you.

Sid

The factory H-frame supplied on my car is attached with two sheet metal screws. As far as I can tell, there is no reinforcement behind the bumper. As a result, I often notice that one screw or the other occasionally gets pulled out a bit when someone catches their leg on the side of the plate. I've thought about replacing the sheet metal screw with a bolt, washer and nut, but there appears to be no way to access the inside of the bumper cover without removing it. Thought about using toggle bolts too, but just didn't want to enlarge the hole any more.

Leon

Barry,

My '95 850 has no trim on the front bumper. It appears the dealer merely drilled two holes in the bumper and bolted on the license plate frame. (Nevada, also, is concerned that we have plates front and rear. I suppose that's so that we will leave a convenient imprint of our license plate number in the body of those we hit with either the front or back of our vehicles.)

I ran for 7 years in Manassas, VA without a plate. Was pulled over several times and was given warnings. Tell the cop that the wife drove the car and the plate was damaged at the mall (damaged not stolen). Explain that it happened last night and that you are going to DMV the next day to order a replacement. (You are safe as long as 48 hrs has not gone by since the incident/ before you "order" a replacement tag.) Has worked every time for me, but just don't try this in Maryland. Got a ticket within the first 12 months for it.

Prospero