I need a license plate bracket for my '72 1800ES, but in the mean time until I find one, I'm going to fabricate one with common hardware items. The plate now is attached with coat hanger wire to the bumper and doesn't get the benefit of the license plate lights which could result in a ticket. What I need to know is the distance from the top of the plate to the body and top of the plate to bottom of bumper. Can someone take the measurements for me? Thanks, David

On my ES, there are captive nuts attached to the inside of the rear sheetmatal for attaching the bracket. It's been a while, but I think you can find them by looking in the spare tire compartment. They might have gotten filled in with paint or something on your's.

I have mine apart right now, so can't give you the measurement from the body to the plate. If you take a tape and hook it on the bottom lip of the panel that is the rear of the car, then measure up toward the bumper, the distance from the bottom lip to the holes for the bracket is 9". That distance is if you follow the contour of the body panel. The holes are 3-1/2" apart. If I remember correctly the top of the plate is pretty close to the body--maybe 1/2" clearance. If you need more information e-mail me offline. I might be able to send you a picture this weekend.

I've known folks that have been pulled over for using baling wire or electrical wire to hold on plates. Granted, probably just an excuse to pull a fella over, but it isn't legal in Colorado, and I bet it isn't in other states either... so probably best for you to get that fixed. magnets aren't acceptable either, so if you don't want to drill holes in the trunk of your jaguar, you gotta hide the magnets... Plates gotta be bolted tight with threaded fasteners.

I've never had an ES, but in looking at pictures, it appears they sorted out the original problem with that illuminator light... on the earlier 1800s, the license plate mounted on the bumper, probably not unlike yours currently is. But the light was on the back of the trunk, and didn't light the plate at all... looks like they put the plate under the bumper. I don't know hwere the light is hid.

Here's the absolute best picture I could find online of the rear of an 1800es without the license plate so you can see the bracket... :-)

I bet you could get away with some of that steel strapping stuff with holes that you get at any hardware store.


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-Matt '70 145s, '65 1800s, '66 122s wagon, others inc. '53 XK120 FHC