MTFCA Forum

What is the best way to attach the data plate (smaller version) to the firewall?
I assume that mine is a reproduction as it is not stamped?

It has 4 small holes in the corners but is it easier to attach with double-sided tape?

Thank you experts.

Stay safe!
Gene

Either teeny-tiny brass slotted screws, or teeny-tiny brass nails.
Good luck trying to hang onto them! Buy extra, you'll need 'em!!

Take the brass nail, a spot of adhesive on the end of a pin punch (like rubber cement), stick the nail on the end of the punch, line up and whack with a hammer.

Otherwise, you'll be looking for a long, long time for the missing nails.

Also the later (mid-15) plates did NOT have a number stamped in them. At least ours doesn't. I suspect they were using the body nimber for the crosscheck. I've almsot considered using that number as the VIN, as DMV does not like using a 6 digit vin...

Thank you Tim and Susanne.

I've put a dab of adhesive on the back, positioned the plate and affixed it where I wanted it to be permanently.

Then gathered 4 small round head brass finished or brass brads. Selected a twist drill the dia. of the brad, and drilled each corner hole just a tad deep, not fully.

Grasped and clamped each brad with my cheap surgical mosquito forceps (every tool box needs a few ).

Placed the brad held in the forceps over a hole, with other hand seat it with tack hammer, released the forceps slightly, and drove it home with the tack hammer.

I hold small nails/brads with long/needle nose pliers. As I tap the nail/brad in, I keep sliding the pliers to thinner and thinner areas of the jaws. It not only is nicer than hitting my fingers with the hammer (even a small hammer), it helps support the nail/brad so it is less likely to bend, and is less likely to fly across the shop and get lost (I hate flat tires!).
That plate looks to me to likely be an original. The background black is faded and the "printing" appears more raised than most reproductions. That style was used into 1917, and stamping of body numbers stopped in mid '15. So there were nearly a year and a half's production of plates with no numbers.

I think it's an original too, but the 1915's and 16's usually have deep scratches where the body rubbed on the plate. I believe Ford used large round headed brads for these, at least that is what I have on my mid '13 roadster. My early '13 touring has the big plate, February.