2008 Nissan 370GT Coupe. Is it just me who's NSW Rear Lic Plate doesn't fit?

[Vee37]

I recently purchased a 2008 Nissan 370GT Coupe from VIC and have registered in now in NSW. Part of the process, includes new plates. For the front they give you one with a slightly smaller height, and for the rear its full size.

This larger plate does not fit within the width of the rear License Plate recess, in the rear bar of my car. To make it fit (ie so I can tighten the screws) I had too bend/curve each of the outside ends up a bit (as in away from the plate, in a kind of U shape if you laid the plate flat on the ground).

Is there something others are doing to avoid this? The previous VIC plates were also bent in the same way.

[Duncan]

Yep, japanese rear bar cutouts don't fit Australian standard number plates. You need to bend/cut/space it out to fit.

[GTSBoy]

On 3/11/2022 at 5:44 AM, Duncan said:

You need to bend/cut/space it out to fit.

Noting that it is illegal to modify a number plate in any way, in all states of Oz. That means no bending the ends, or cutting them down. The only really legal way to do it is to space it out. Sad, but true. Unlikely to something the cops pick on on its own, but on a bad day, it adds to the suck.

[soviet_merlin]

Do any of the custom plates fit? They mention dimensions on the different styles. See https://www.myplates.com.au/#/

If I understand it right it is a one-off payment to get the given plate in a different style. Custom lettering comes with yearly fees though.

[V35_Paul]

On 3/10/2022 at 9:32 PM, Vee37 said:

I recently purchased a 2008 Nissan 370GT Coupe from VIC and have registered in now in NSW. Part of the process, includes new plates. For the front they give you one with a slightly smaller height, and for the rear its full size.

This larger plate does not fit within the width of the rear License Plate recess, in the rear bar of my car. To make it fit (ie so I can tighten the screws) I had too bend/curve each of the outside ends up a bit (as in away from the plate, in a kind of U shape if you laid the plate flat on the ground).

Is there something others are doing to avoid this? The previous VIC plates were also bent in the same way.

Yeah just bend it. Cops don't care as long as they can read it.

 

[Vee37]

On 3/11/2022 at 10:44 AM, soviet_merlin said:

Do any of the custom plates fit? They mention dimensions on the different styles. See https://www.myplates.com.au/#/

If I understand it right it is a one-off payment to get the given plate in a different style. Custom lettering comes with yearly fees though.

I haven't explicitly checked, but I assumed they were simply standard sizing, just different colours. Since my car is black, I was already planning on gong a black with silver writing.

On 3/11/2022 at 9:51 AM, GTSBoy said:

Noting that it is illegal to modify a number plate in any way, in all states of Oz. That means no bending the ends, or cutting them down. The only really legal way to do it is to space it out. Sad, but true. Unlikely to something the cops pick on on its own, but on a bad day, it adds to the suck.

The thing that surprises me, is that in the eastern suburbs where I live, about 1 in 5 cars have their plates in holders/protectors that have a black frame / edge. A lot of these frames actually appear to almost touch the digits. ie they look like they would require people to cut down their number plate to fit inside the protector/holder. Might take a closer look in a parking lot. I am guessing people are using the front number plate holders, on the rear plate (which is bigger). You can get the "European" ones that appear to have 2 of the front size.

https://www.supercheapauto.com.au/search?q=number+plate+protector&lang=en_AU

On 3/11/2022 at 11:32 AM, V35_Paul said:

Yeah just bend it. Cops don't care as long as they can read it.

 

The above was what I was thinking. If I keep all characters visible and un-distorted, and also the "NSW" text (ie state of registration) 100% legible from a distance, It would be ignored; unless I was speeding.... I was thinking of cutting it down and putting it in a smaller black edged frame.

What made me question it, is that I went through the gallery thread, and where the back of a 370GT was shown, the plate appeared to naturally fit; although many were vanity plates.

[soviet_merlin]

On 11/03/2022 at 12:43 PM, Vee37 said:

I haven't explicitly checked, but I assumed they were simply standard sizing, just different colours. Since my car is black, I was already planning on gong a black with silver writing.

Nope, different styles come with different dimensions. For some it also depends on how many characters are on them.

[Vee37]

On 3/11/2022 at 1:00 PM, soviet_merlin said:

Nope, different styles come with different dimensions. For some it also depends on how many characters are on them.

But as you implied, I would be getting the standard (ie current) digits. So I would guess for me, it would be a standard size. ie too big in the back

[soviet_merlin]

On 11/03/2022 at 1:22 PM, Vee37 said:

But as you implied, I would be getting the standard (ie current) digits. So I would guess for me, it would be a standard size. ie too big in the back

Hah, no it still differs. For example plate styles that have the NSW on top instead of on the side are less wide but taller. I think it also makes a difference whether it is hyphenated AA-BB-CC or AAB-BCC, which again may just come back to the plate style.

I suggest to have a look through the options as they all mention dimensions. Whether any of it will make enough of a difference to fit, no idea.

 

[Vee37]

I haven't checked if the NSW plates would fit (if cut down within reason), But I notice that the NSW custom COLOUR plates are 372 mm wide

But, the guys that sell the protectors/holders, have a "Japanese Plate" option, that is only 331mm wide.

Edited March 11, 2022 by Vee37

[soviet_merlin]

FWIW, there are more styles with a 'show more' button at the bottom. The UI is pretty bad on that page.

The Import style is 305mm x 155mm front and back. But no silver.

[Duncan]

I've got 5 character NSW plates on the stagea and that fits OK. On the other cars I took a little off either side on the linisher although an angle grinder would also work...just keep it even and make sure all letters are clearly visible and there should be no reason to have an issue.