The Tag reads "THE MINI" but it says "Now you see me, now you don't"



So, it is the Stow n Go from Altecproducts. Works nice with the aero kit, it has a raised area in the center it fits into nicely. Also got the pre painted matched chili red plugs from BumperPlugs.com.

Now I can retract the sucker when at club functions, car shows etc. and have the clean look I wanted.

 

That is freakin' wild! I want one too!!

 

mmatarella,
very cool!!!

 

thats great! i need that...

I went to the website and i couldnt fin a price..

how much does that kit run?
thanks!
looks great
very 007

 

Nice

 

:e ek2:

 

I forgot about that. Been a few months since I bought it. They don't sell direct I remember now. I googled the stow n go name or the model number I forget which, and found a Mustang site that sold em. I think it was $159 for the electric with remote version, and $79 for the manual one you just reach down and push and pull.

 

How stable is the plate on that thing? Does wind make it wave around or vibrate?

 

The frame of the mechanism is metal and is very sturdy. The plastic plate the tag is mounted to has foam cushions you put on the back. When you install it you align it so it tips back and stops when it contacts the car with the pads. I don't believe it 'wiggles' around at all and don't expect it to the way it is designed as long as one mounts it correctly.

 

Found this manual show n go holder a little cheaper: http://www.amazon.com/Show-Go-Licens.../dp/B001E4E0ZW ,This one has a video of the manual ops: http://www.ninosport.com/Altec-Show-...te-holder-400U

 

That's the manual version - seems that the same Amazon reseller also has the powered one for $149.95:

http://www.amazon.com/Show-Go-Licens...7824729&sr=1-4

...I just ordered one!

 

Please give a review, that is awesome I would Love to use that on my car as well!

 

how hard is it to install?

 

Well, I love it. I can't vouch for how it'd fit under a non aero kit bumper skin. It works great and is pretty sturdy. It mounts from underneath,they supply some rubber inserts that work like moly bolts. You slip these into small holes you drill underneath the bumper. On the aero kit you have to notch out a couple inch wide section of the black lip that points down to allow for the length of this. That's not visible once this is mounted.

It's a hit at MINI gatherings I can tell you that much!

You hold the button until it's all the way out or back. So you can't just wire it to the ignition. It runs from a tiny two button remote fob which they supply two of. You'd have to create some sort of timed latch circuit to run it from as a ignition sense kind of deploy.

But as I learned from letting someone play with it who left it 'hidden' on me, local meter maids here will ticket a 'no front tag' vehicle very very quickly. And no the meter wasn't dead to attract their attention.

I leave it displayed 99% of the time. I just use it to hide the tag at MINI gatherings and car functions.

 

This mod is going to make me find (or write up) a list of all 50 states (or at least the continental 48), and whether or not they require a front plate.

If I'm on a road trip... cross a state border, check the list, and if it's OK... away it will go.

EDIT: Found it, thanks to Wikipedia.

The following states do not require a front plate:

Alabama
Arizona
Arkansas
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Indiana
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Michigan
Mississippi
New Mexico
North Carolina
Oklahoma
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
Tennessee
West Virginia

 

thats all? I thought there were more states that didnt have that law. I'm a minority!

 

That is wild. It's amazing how well it does work with the aero front bumper. It's like it was made for it.

 

Yup, I actually removed it, the whole mechanism for my two weeks in FL. Was afraid of it dragging on the ramp on and off the train. They call for 4" of clearance and I JUST have that.

I go to PA a LOT, family there so yes I'll be doing a retract when I cross the Mason Dixon line!

 

Im so glad I dont have to run a front plate. And even if I did...I wouldnt...

 

That is awesome. I can drive without a front plate and if I get pulled over. *beep*

"Officer, it's right there!"

 

Nice find . They are popping people left and right in So Cal. Must be trying to fix that budget issue

 

As I was reading the post, I was reading between the lines, and this is what I read.
JK

 

mannn i would looveeeee to have that .....the wiring im a bit confused about ...since its remote activated cant i just run the power from the battery or something ? alsooo i would love to see if someone has this on a oem bumper ....if not ..how deep does the track need to be bolted under the bumper ? is it heavy ? i see it said 3 pounds but does it seem like it would be heavy enough to fall off of the oem plastic ?

 

Yes it just connects to ground and +12V. There's a plastic module maybe half the size of a cigrarette pack. It houses the radio reciever etc. Two leads go the the motor on the unit itself, one is a short antenna wire you just place or let hand, and one to ground and one to +12V.

I can take some pics underneath and make some measurements. I called them about it pre purchase and I think I recall the depth being 3/4 inch. I.E. it protrudes down 3/4 inch from the flat surface it's mounted to.

From memory I'd guess it's about 10 inchs from front to back. The aero kit is really perfect as it has a flat area at the center that is a bit higher grund clearance than the rest of the bumper. Almost like it was designed for it.

A fellow in the DC Metro MINI's site pointed out to us that in VA the letter of the law says your tag must be secured and visible at all times. Personally I don't see this as a issue for ME as I plan to only retract it when I'm 'showing' the car. Not on the road. Or not on the road in any state requiring a front tag anyway. But just FYI.

 

It's been suggested to me that something like this on the back of the car with another tag sized sign underneath bearing a 'colorful expression' of 'appreciation' for a fellow motorists actions could be fun too.