Pagoda SL Group

W113 Pagoda SL Group => Body, interior, paint, chrome, and cosmetic items => Topic started by: rb6667 on December 20, 2011, 00:36:14

Title: front German license plate bracket/Saab
Post by: rb6667 on December 20, 2011, 00:36:14
Subject line have you scratching your head I'm sure.   For those of you thinking of installing a German License plate on the front of your pagoda,  I have found a solution to mount it.  I was unable to find the original bracket for our cars.  While at the Junkyard, I located an 84 Saab model 900.  This was a US delivery car, but this model has a great metal plate that fills in the large space for the European size plates.  The factory simply drilled a few holes in this plate to match the US size plates.   A quick cut with a ziz (Cutoff) wheel, removed the lower part of this plate that is not needed.
 
2 rubber spacers, a few stainless screws, and it mounts perfectly to the bumper.  Then I simply drilled this plate to match the mounting pattern on the German Plate.   Plate looks great on the front of the car.     

Happy Hunting and Merry Christmas.


RB6667

   
Title: Re: front German license plate bracket/Saab
Post by: Louis on December 20, 2011, 00:48:08
Creative...Wouldn't have a picture or two would you?
Title: Re: front German license plate bracket/Saab
Post by: pagoden on December 21, 2011, 05:56:53

Very nice.  I run the plate from my 230CE during our time over there, so thanks for a great tip.  And the same sentiments right back at you, as well.

Denny
Title: Re: front German license plate bracket/Saab
Post by: Jonny B on December 21, 2011, 16:07:18
You may want to hurry up and gather up those SAAB license plate parts, now that SAAB is no more, parts competition will get tougher.
Title: Re: front German license plate bracket/Saab
Post by: Peter van Es on December 21, 2011, 16:23:33
SAAB spare-parts apparently falls outside of bankruptcy...
Title: Re: front German license plate bracket/Saab
Post by: rb6667 on December 21, 2011, 22:42:28
Hello Everyone.  I am not able to post any pictures at this time due to the Holidays.  But when I get back, I'll post some pictures.  I will take it back off of the car, and give everyone the Nickle Tour.

RB6667 

 
Title: Re: front German license plate bracket/Saab
Post by: badali on December 22, 2011, 13:23:33
This plate holder is stainless and bought from the classic center.  It has a 123 part number and fits perfectly.
Title: Re: front German license plate bracket/Saab
Post by: Louis on December 22, 2011, 14:17:09
badali ,

What is the part # ?    Thanks...
Title: Re: front German license plate bracket/Saab
Post by: badali on December 22, 2011, 14:47:19
I can't find the reciept for it with the part number.  I know it started with 123.  Tom Hanson at the classic center would be able to look it up and give you a price.  I bought it in early 2009.  I think it was about $40-$50.
Title: Re: front German license plate bracket/Saab
Post by: Louis on December 22, 2011, 15:25:58
Thanks Brad....
Title: Re: front German license plate bracket/Saab
Post by: rb6667 on December 22, 2011, 21:01:19
Good Info Badali on the 123 part.  I'm a purist at heart, but when I know the part will not be seen, I enjoy saving some $$$$ and the challenge of making a part work, sometimes better than the correct factory part.  This was the case here.  I did a little more research on this project today since I can not take any pictures of the bracket I modified to work......and I'm glad I did.  Apparently the junkyard I got the donor plate from, had the model year marked incorrectly.  Take a look at the attached picture of a 1997 Saab.  The front license plate bracket on this car is the same one I used.  A little research on the web revealed that this bracket was used on the 1994-1998 Saabs. 

If you look closely, you will see an indented area towards the bottom of the plate.   I used some masking tape to mark a line that allowed me to cut off the area below the indented section.  I ended up with a plate that was Apprx. 15.5" long X 3.5" high if I remember correctly.  This is a very hefty solid plate.  The beauty of this particular plate is how easy it was to modify.  There is a raised boss on each side that has 2 vertical holes drilled into it.  A new hole drilled between the existing holes lines up perfectly with the horizontal slots already on our Pagoda bumpers.

Next step was to mount the bracket to the bumper.  I used 2- 1/4" Dia. Stainless steel screws, ( apprx. 1.5" long) 2 Stainless steel  washers, 2 rubber spacers, and 2 stainless steel nylon locking nuts to secure this bracket to the bumper.    Last step was to drill this plate to match the mounting holes on the German License plate.  2 Nylon screws with nuts were used to attach the License plate to the bracket.   I did a few trial fitings off of the car to avoid any damage.

Total cost for eveything was less than $10.00.  Plus I had some fun doing it!

Merry Christmas everyone, If I can assist further in any way, do not hesitate to ask.

RB6667



   

 
Title: Re: front German license plate bracket/Saab
Post by: badali on January 24, 2012, 15:25:58
Here is the part number. 123 817 03 78   I'm petty sure it is the one I have.   The part number on the classic center site says it is now plastic. There is one on ebay now also that is stainless.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=390384456290&ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:US:1123
Title: Re: front German license plate bracket/Saab
Post by: stickandrudderman on January 24, 2012, 19:25:44
I believe that there are two different number plate backs for the 123/126. The one for the front is slightly curved to match the curvature of the front bumper. The one for the rear is, obviously, flat.
I might even have some new ones lying around so I can check the numbers.
However, the finish isn't brilliant and the last few I've fitted I've had to have chromed first.
Title: Re: front German license plate bracket/Saab
Post by: dabbs on April 07, 2012, 05:53:24
Wow! i love these saab cars presented by your thread. I was surfing online for a list of the saab car models and found this interesting thread. I will appreciate it if you share a list of all the saab car models here. thank you.

________________________
saab car models (http://www.ranker.com/list/full-list-of-saab-models/reference)
Title: Re: front German license plate bracket/Saab
Post by: rb6667 on April 15, 2012, 21:23:06
Hello Dabbs, and welcome!  I'm afraid that I will not be the best person to answer your questions.  I would suggest you look online for any Saab Forums.  They would have lots of info I'm sure.

RB6667
Title: Re: front German license plate bracket/Saab
Post by: rb6667 on April 20, 2012, 22:06:20
Hello All, It took a while, but here is a picture of the completed  Installation.

RB6667