Author Topic: Drilling holes in rear valance for license plate  (Read 5070 times)

Nate

  • Associate Member
  • Silver
  • ****
  • Mill Valley, California
  • Posts: 267
Drilling holes in rear valance for license plate
« on: February 05, 2016, 18:34:27 »
Hi,

When I had my car repainted the body shop filled the 2 holes in the rear valance for my license plate.  I want to get the placement of the holes dead-on correct to reinstall my California plate.  Has anyone created a template or knows the steps to accurately measure where the holes should be drilled?  Also, any suggestions on what equipment/drill bit to use to do this? 

I'm also considering buying the rear license plate bracket that Bud's Benz sells.  Are there any members out there that have purchased this?  Any suggestions on the best hardware to use to properly secure my license plate but also not scratch it up after spending a small fortune to have it restored?

Cheers,

Nate

1971 280SL
Arabian Gray / Dark Red Leather

2013 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S Coupe
Black on Black

2013 ML350 4MATIC
Arctic White on Almond Beige
Wife's car that I get to drive

1964 Porsche 356C Coupe
Irish Green on Black
Black Plate CA Car
Unrestored

66andBlue

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, CA, Solana Beach
  • Posts: 4708
Re: Drilling holes in rear valance for license plate
« Reply #1 on: February 05, 2016, 22:55:18 »
If you have or buy the correct license plate frame then you can use its holes as a template.
This one fits perfectly: http://www.authenticclassics.com/License-Plate-Frame-with-Mercedes-Logo-Stainless-p/auth-003544.htm
There is no need for another holder/plate between the rear license plate with frame and the trunk chassis.
That is different for your front plate, here you need another intermediate holder on the bumper:
http://www.authenticclassics.com/License-Plate-Bracket-fits-108-111-113Ch-190S-p/auth-003470.htm
Alfred
1964 230SL manual 4-speed 568H signal red
1966 230SL automatic 334G light blue (sold)
1968 280SL automatic (now 904G midnight blue)

Benz Dr.

  • Vendor
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • Canada, ON, Port Lambton
  • Posts: 7128
  • Benz Dr.
Re: Drilling holes in rear valance for license plate
« Reply #2 on: February 05, 2016, 23:26:46 »
Remove the access panels from inside of the trunk and you should be able to see where the holes were from the back side of the panel. You will probably see where body filler oozed out through the holes and you should be able to carefully dig it out to reveal the original holes.
1966 230SL 5 speed, LSD, header pipes, 300SE distributor, ported, polished and balanced, AKA  ''The Red Rocket ''
Dan Caron's SL Barn

1970  3.5 Coupe
1961  190SL
1985   300CD  Turbo Coupe
1981  300SD
2013  GMC  Sierra
1965  230SL
1967 250SL
1970 280SL
1988 560SEC

Nate

  • Associate Member
  • Silver
  • ****
  • Mill Valley, California
  • Posts: 267
Re: Drilling holes in rear valance for license plate
« Reply #3 on: February 06, 2016, 09:19:02 »
Thanks Dan!
1971 280SL
Arabian Gray / Dark Red Leather

2013 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S Coupe
Black on Black

2013 ML350 4MATIC
Arctic White on Almond Beige
Wife's car that I get to drive

1964 Porsche 356C Coupe
Irish Green on Black
Black Plate CA Car
Unrestored

49er

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, CA, El Dorado Hills
  • Posts: 1410
Re: Drilling holes in rear valance for license plate
« Reply #4 on: February 06, 2016, 16:02:18 »
 Here is a picture of my rear plate. The holes were drilled through the plate on the sides and not the top. My 250SL had the plate mounted the same way.

John
1969 280SL 003820
Un Restored, All Original, including the paint
Original Owner, Purchased September 18, 1968
4 speed manual, PS. 77094 miles
7157 miles since awoken from her 20+ yr "nap" in 2010

Benz Dr.

  • Vendor
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • Canada, ON, Port Lambton
  • Posts: 7128
  • Benz Dr.
Re: Drilling holes in rear valance for license plate
« Reply #5 on: February 07, 2016, 06:34:33 »
Those mounting holes are for euro plates, I would think. Must be why they make an adapter for them.
1966 230SL 5 speed, LSD, header pipes, 300SE distributor, ported, polished and balanced, AKA  ''The Red Rocket ''
Dan Caron's SL Barn

1970  3.5 Coupe
1961  190SL
1985   300CD  Turbo Coupe
1981  300SD
2013  GMC  Sierra
1965  230SL
1967 250SL
1970 280SL
1988 560SEC

hauser

  • Guest
Re: Drilling holes in rear valance for license plate
« Reply #6 on: February 07, 2016, 07:07:07 »
I access mine through the trunk panels Dan mentioned.  To make things easier for myself I use butterfly nuts to secure the bolts.  In Florida we replace our plates every 4 years or so.  They have lengthened this time frame to ? so being able to easily change things out is a plus.

Nate

  • Associate Member
  • Silver
  • ****
  • Mill Valley, California
  • Posts: 267
Re: Drilling holes in rear valance for license plate
« Reply #7 on: February 07, 2016, 16:54:01 »
Good to know hauser.  I spent a small fortune having my 6 digit CA plate restored.  I think I'm going to try to find white or clear plastic washers to use as spacers between the bolts on both sides of the plate, so I dont scratch the plate and more importantly don't scratch the paint on the car.
1971 280SL
Arabian Gray / Dark Red Leather

2013 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S Coupe
Black on Black

2013 ML350 4MATIC
Arctic White on Almond Beige
Wife's car that I get to drive

1964 Porsche 356C Coupe
Irish Green on Black
Black Plate CA Car
Unrestored

Tyler S

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, CA, Encinitas
  • Posts: 1613
Re: Drilling holes in rear valance for license plate
« Reply #8 on: February 07, 2016, 18:10:59 »
On my 1968 USA Spec, the holes are in the center of the valance. Not the top. There are captive clips snapped into the holes. The holes/clips are spaced 11 inches apart.  There is a plate adapter/bracket that lets you mount the plate. See Pics
Something like this link should work well for those with either configuration.

http://m.ebay.com/itm/Front-License-Plate-Mounting-Bracket-Chrome-Frame-For-MERCEDES-BENZ-/111548877768?nav=SEARCH
« Last Edit: February 07, 2016, 22:16:15 by Tyler S. »
1968 (67) 250sl. 4 speed manual. DB180 Silver
1955 220 Cabriolet A. White Grey
2019 E450 Wagon. Majestic Blue
1936 Ford PU Flathead V8. Creme on tan interior.
1989 Volkswagen T3 Westfailia Campmobile. Dove Grey (blue)