• When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

What Happened to the Convenience of the Hidden License Plate Filler Cap?

I always kind of liked the behind the plate location. Back then it was just the way it was... Now people look at you like you have a freak or something. Made sense at the time.
 
Advanced age appears to be with all the negative responses. Back in our youthful days it didn't seem to be problematic,and back then most of them were that way.
 
Back in the day the nozzle was bigger with the leaded gas. Rarely did you ever have a problem filling a car with the filler behind the tag. The sensor in the nozzle detected the fuel like it was supposed to. Then with the smaller diameter unleaded nozzle it wouldn't always work. Leaving a unleaded nozzle unattended wasn't a good idea. Thats why you need to learn where the smaller size nozzle will detect it or like stated earlier, listen for fuel coming up the filler tube.

I was working in garages when the changeover from leaded to unleaded took place. We learned real quick about how the smaller diameter nozzle didn't work so well in the original filler tubes. We spilled some gas. Then there were people punching out or enlarging the piece inside the newer filler tube so they could use leaded gas in their newer cars. That wasn't a good idea for the converter and other components. What a mess it was back then.
 
I never had an issue filling the X but the charger I had the same problems as mentioned.....I have used a flexible funnel and have a neat trick to hold it up while slowly filling....It is called 3m painters tape, lol....
 
Based on experience with my El Camino side fill vs the Coronet, it was easier to install the tank on a car with rear filler neck.

I'm still trying to figure out how to keep the tag down without standing there holding it down with one hand while pumping gas with the other.

Any suggestions?
 
On one knee so I can get up when done without installing handles on the trunk lid.
 
Based on experience with my El Camino side fill vs the Coronet, it was easier to install the tank on a car with rear filler neck.

I'm still trying to figure out how to keep the tag down without standing there holding it down with one hand while pumping gas with the other.

Any suggestions?

I found on the cars I ever filled, the cap itself, wedged down by the spring, would hold it open.
 
I found on the cars I ever filled, the cap itself, wedged down by the spring, would hold it open.
I’ve done that. Still not easy with the California compression nozzle.
 
I’ve done that. Still not easy with the California compression nozzle.

What if the tension spring were unhooked? It would hang while fueling, then hold the plate in place with thin magnets and or velcro.
 
1402A1AD-B045-4A83-BD03-63D991F320B3.jpeg
4FA03A83-FCA0-4803-B78B-40BE54361B7C.jpeg
Jamming the cap doesn’t help much, but the bracket is magnetic.
 
Same as here Dennis, except we don't have those fancy pump nozzles with all that puffery around them.
Much easier here - just pull down the flap and pump away. (Talking about gassing up BTW) :D
 
68 cougar, use the cap to hold the plate down one pump away. Peeps are more interested in the car than what I’m doing.
 
i liked when you bought an old beater from that era in the 80's and the rubber seal on the cap was shot when you took off leaving a trail of gas.
 
Auto Transport Service
Back
Top