You might be asking yourself, "Wait, hasn't this already been done? Aren't there other mods out there for this? Don't other vendors already sell a kit?" Not like this one. Please read on...
It was a sunny afternoon in August 2022 when I put down my first deposit. Shortly after my visit to the dealer, I found this forum and excitedly caught up on all the previous year's threads. I quickly discovered how the front license plate is attached to the Emira. My initial reactions were shock and disappointment at how such a beautiful car will be irreversibly mutilated for those of us residing in two-plate jurisdictions. I made it a personal quest to devise a solution that could prevent holes from being drilled into the bumper. (After my order submission, my dealer confirmed they wouldn't drill the bumper unless specifically asked to, and that relieved much stress.)
This was going to challenge me to think outside the box and come up with a creative solution. I questioned myself, if Lotus designers and engineers didn't implement a better solution to this, what chance did I have of figuring out something that they didn't? They were likely constrained by a combination of budget, time, and resources. Perhaps I had a chance. Solutions to these kinds of problems are the most satisfying for me, so facing success or failure, I set out on my quest.
Over the months I brainstormed, sketched, came up with ideas and abandoned many. I analyzed any photo I could find of the Emira's front bumper area. Then, one day in March 2024, I got a helpful lead from @Porter about potential mounting points I wasn't aware of, where I could attach a mount. Since I didn't have my own car to inspect, this prompted me to schedule some lift time with my Lotus dealer's demo car for an eyes-on investigation. With the help of a Lotus tech, the front undertray was removed and I discovered a Tetris-like puzzle of parts below the radiator's air intake chamber, blocking access to those potential mounting points. I was informed that it would be a nearly three-hour(!) labour charge to remove and re-install the front bumper to get access to those points. At their shop rates, I didn't hesitate to abandon that procedure. I used my endoscope instead to probe that area, which revealed unworkable mounting points. Deflated that Porter's lead didn't pan out as I had hoped, the investigation steered me in a new direction, towards a design that I could bolt down at newly discovered attachment points. Additional months of sketches, CAD design iterations, physics equations solving, prototyping, and hardware sourcing ensued with a renewed purpose. At the end of June 2024 I took delivery of my own Emira. This has allowed me to validate the fitment of my latest prototype, test it, and make final adjustments to the CAD model before it goes into production.
With respect to those who have tread this path before me, I'm starting this thread to exclusively reveal to the world my Bespoke No-drill Front License Plate Mount for the Emira.
[v3 Prototype mount with license plate backing plate attached]
[v3 Prototype mount with license plate backing plate attached, low angle]
[v3 Prototype mount with license plate backing plate attached, front view]
[v3 Prototype mount with license plate installed, high angle]
[v3 Prototype mount with license plate installed, low angle]
[v7 Prototype mount with only base bracket installed, 3/4 angle]
[v7 Prototype mount with only base bracket installed, front view]
[v7 Prototype mount with bare aluminum backing plate, close up]
[v7 Prototype mount with bare aluminum backing plate, high angle]
I'll address a couple of facts up front. The price may be a barrier to some, and the installation procedure (without removing the bumper, or even with bumper removal) might be daunting for others. I completely understand those might be issues for people. This kit isn't for everyone. But, for those DIYers who decide this is the right piece of equipment for them, and are willing to take on the installation challenge, or have someone else install it, I believe I've created a unique solution that improves upon the Emira ownership experience. I think it deserves to be shared with the community. I've embedded a fully detailed installation guide below, so you can see the complete installation procedure for yourself before making any decisions. This thread will help me gauge if there is enough interest in this kit for group buy(s), and it will be a way for me to gather feedback, provide support, and answer questions. Reply to this thread if you are interested. Payments will be collected after each group buy fills ten spots.
It was a sunny afternoon in August 2022 when I put down my first deposit. Shortly after my visit to the dealer, I found this forum and excitedly caught up on all the previous year's threads. I quickly discovered how the front license plate is attached to the Emira. My initial reactions were shock and disappointment at how such a beautiful car will be irreversibly mutilated for those of us residing in two-plate jurisdictions. I made it a personal quest to devise a solution that could prevent holes from being drilled into the bumper. (After my order submission, my dealer confirmed they wouldn't drill the bumper unless specifically asked to, and that relieved much stress.)
This was going to challenge me to think outside the box and come up with a creative solution. I questioned myself, if Lotus designers and engineers didn't implement a better solution to this, what chance did I have of figuring out something that they didn't? They were likely constrained by a combination of budget, time, and resources. Perhaps I had a chance. Solutions to these kinds of problems are the most satisfying for me, so facing success or failure, I set out on my quest.
Over the months I brainstormed, sketched, came up with ideas and abandoned many. I analyzed any photo I could find of the Emira's front bumper area. Then, one day in March 2024, I got a helpful lead from @Porter about potential mounting points I wasn't aware of, where I could attach a mount. Since I didn't have my own car to inspect, this prompted me to schedule some lift time with my Lotus dealer's demo car for an eyes-on investigation. With the help of a Lotus tech, the front undertray was removed and I discovered a Tetris-like puzzle of parts below the radiator's air intake chamber, blocking access to those potential mounting points. I was informed that it would be a nearly three-hour(!) labour charge to remove and re-install the front bumper to get access to those points. At their shop rates, I didn't hesitate to abandon that procedure. I used my endoscope instead to probe that area, which revealed unworkable mounting points. Deflated that Porter's lead didn't pan out as I had hoped, the investigation steered me in a new direction, towards a design that I could bolt down at newly discovered attachment points. Additional months of sketches, CAD design iterations, physics equations solving, prototyping, and hardware sourcing ensued with a renewed purpose. At the end of June 2024 I took delivery of my own Emira. This has allowed me to validate the fitment of my latest prototype, test it, and make final adjustments to the CAD model before it goes into production.
With respect to those who have tread this path before me, I'm starting this thread to exclusively reveal to the world my Bespoke No-drill Front License Plate Mount for the Emira.
[v3 Prototype mount with license plate backing plate attached]
[v3 Prototype mount with license plate backing plate attached, low angle]
[v3 Prototype mount with license plate backing plate attached, front view]
[v3 Prototype mount with license plate installed, high angle]
[v3 Prototype mount with license plate installed, low angle]
[v7 Prototype mount with only base bracket installed, 3/4 angle]
[v7 Prototype mount with only base bracket installed, front view]
[v7 Prototype mount with bare aluminum backing plate, close up]
[v7 Prototype mount with bare aluminum backing plate, high angle]
I'll address a couple of facts up front. The price may be a barrier to some, and the installation procedure (without removing the bumper, or even with bumper removal) might be daunting for others. I completely understand those might be issues for people. This kit isn't for everyone. But, for those DIYers who decide this is the right piece of equipment for them, and are willing to take on the installation challenge, or have someone else install it, I believe I've created a unique solution that improves upon the Emira ownership experience. I think it deserves to be shared with the community. I've embedded a fully detailed installation guide below, so you can see the complete installation procedure for yourself before making any decisions. This thread will help me gauge if there is enough interest in this kit for group buy(s), and it will be a way for me to gather feedback, provide support, and answer questions. Reply to this thread if you are interested. Payments will be collected after each group buy fills ten spots.
This bespoke mount satisfies four key, self-imposed design requirements. I wanted a solution that:
- Absolutely does not require drilling holes in the front bumper.
- Retains the Emira's OEM appearance with a front license plate installed.
- Weighs roughly the same (ideally less) than the assembled plastic OEM plinth and its steel backing plate.
- Is structurally rigid to theoretically support the aerodynamic force on a license plate at speeds up to 180 mph (290 km/h), and flexible enough to resist permanent deformation.
What makes my solution different from others? Here are some unique details and additional features:
- This is the only aftermarket license plate mount that maintains the Emira's OEM appearance with a front plate. It is a permanent, strong, yet feather-light assembly that once installed, you can forget about. After attaching your license plate, the entire assembly virtually disappears. Nothing is visible when viewing the car from underneath and very little is visible from the top and sides.
- The base bracket attaches at two existing chassis bolt locations inside the front air intake chamber and utilizes two OEM bolts.
- Similarly to the OEM plinth and tow hook mounts, this mount assembly won't interfere with aftermarket front splitters/lips of any shape or size; an advantage to using mounting points above the black lip.
- In keeping with Colin Chapman's ethos of simplifying and adding lightness, this mount will add lightness to your Emira. My first prototype mounting assembly (fasteners included) is 5.5% lighter than the assembled OEM plinth and backing plate.
- This mount features a two-piece design that allows the license plate component (backing plate) to be unbolted and removed, leaving behind a visibly discreet low profile base bracket.
- The base bracket alone can be used as an action camera mount. Rectangular holes are integrated into the bracket front edge so zip ties and Velcro strips can secure a GoPro or small camera.
- The entire assembly is CNC precision laser cut from aerospace-grade aluminum alloy and powder coated satin black for maximum weather durability.
- You can choose to receive either gloss black anodized or gloss silver anodized aluminum license plate bolts. Please specify what colour license plate bolts you want shipped in your kit.
- This mount has been designed primarily for street and highway legal speed limits. It has been road tested up to the legal highway speed limit in my province which is 120 km/h (75 mph), the highest speed limit in Canada. It could theoretically handle 180 mph, but has not been tested to that limit. It has been garage tested in my "wind tunnel" to approximately 140 mph using an EGO 765 leaf blower. For Americans who reside in locations with higher (or without) speed limits I'd be interested in hearing feedback on its performance.
- Detailed installation guide with photos.
- Kit includes a specially created tool and all the necessary fastening hardware.
Additional common tools/materials you will need for installation:
- 2.5 mm Allen wrench/key
- Two 7 mm box/combo wrenches
- 10 mm box/combo wrench
- T30 Torx screwdriver
- A light source to illuminate the work area behind the bumper
- Toothbrush
- Shop rag or towel
- Painter's tape
- Sheet of 8-1/2" x 11" (or A4) paper and scissors
- DAP Tank Bond Liquid Grip (optional, but recommended)
FAQ:
How do you install it?
I've invented a method to install this mount without removing the front bumper, saving you a three-hour front bumper disassembly/reassembly procedure. All you need is the special tool I've made, good eyes, a careful hand, and a little patience. Each kit will include this special tool, the required fastening hardware, and detailed instructions needed to install this bespoke mount on your Emira. Of course, this kit can be installed after removing the front bumper. Doing that would greatly simplify the installation procedure, and for some, will be the better option. Keep in mind, I have not removed the front bumper myself, so I will not be able to provide assistance with that procedure. Others here would be a great resource for advice.What is the price?
If there is enough interest, I will produce 10 kits in each group buy / production run for USD $275 each + shipping (you bear responsibility for all import duties and taxes).Why am I selling this rather than sharing it for free?
I initially set out to produce a one-off mount for myself. But, once I realized how great this solution was and nobody else (still) has yet to come up with anything like it, I thought it should be shared. So, this started out as a hobby project for myself and evolved into a saleable kit with all its requirements of small scale production: establishing supply and production chains, testing and documenting a repeatable installation procedure, making multiple special installation tools, packaging and shipping logistics, etc. I invested great effort to develop this into a mostly self-contained kit that only requires end users to provide a few of their own common tools and materials to complete the installation on their own. As efficient as I was about expenses, there are high costs to product research and development that are unavoidable. Selling this will partially offset those expenses over the long term.How to order/pay and what's the manufacturing cycle?
Reply to this thread with your order request. Upon the closure of each group buy, I will PM everyone who submitted an order request. From the time of filling the tenth spot and receiving all group buy payments by PayPal for friends, production will take approximately three to six weeks (possibly up to eight weeks if major holidays are involved). Why such a wide window? This fabricated assembly is made-to-order and I do not keep any parts in stock aside from one or two earmarked for replacements. I'm contracting with two separate shops for metalwork and coating that I've used for years, but I'm still at the mercy of their scheduling. Fitting this work order into their schedules can result in a time gap between metal fabrication and powder coating that is beyond my control.Shipping methods and time?
As of mid-December 2024, our national mail carrier, Canada Post, is in the midst of a labour dispute with its employees. Workers have been striking for about a month with no resolution in sight. Please contact me and I will get current North American shipping quotes from couriers UPS and FedEx (and Purolator in Canada). They're usually more expensive than Canada Post, but for the time being they are the only option for any parcel shipping.Non-North American (overseas) sales?
I can also make this kit available internationally, but bear in mind, I have only developed a backing plate for North American spec license plates. If enough international members express interest, I can develop a backing plate for specific (group of) countries with help and input from the community. Bear in mind, that process will involve design and CNC software modelling, which will take some (unpredictable) time.Return and refund policy?
I test assemble every mount and photograph the contents of each kit before shipping. If there is an instance where you receive a defectively manufactured mount or special tool, please contact me here and I will replace it. Due to the high costs of manufacturing, sales are final and I cannot issue refunds. However, I will do everything I can to make things right with replacements/repairs. If you receive any missing or damaged part(s) from shipping, please contact me here and I will send replacement(s). I will not replace parts or fasteners with cosmetic imperfections in areas that aren't visible after installation, such as the underside of the base bracket, bolt holes, etc.Disclaimer:
On a final note, I must state that you accept any and all damage to your car or injury to person that might result from installing your kit. In no event will you hold me liable for any property damage, personal injury, incidental, consequential, or indirect damages. Use of this product is at your own risk.
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