Well I'm going to see if I can design some type of device that will allow a person to raise and lower their front license plate from inside a car. I have though about using a linear actuator and attaching that to a custom license plate frame, but actuators are pretty expensive and I'd like to keep costs down as much as possible. I am in the process of trying to get a window regulator so I can try that, but window regulars are a little big for this application and I'm not sure if it will work as well as I'd like. With that said, I would like to open up to your opinions on the topic.

Here is an example of what I'd like to recreate. $250 is just a little too pricey imo.

Ha, why?

Before you start fitting anything check the legality of moving plates. They must be fixed in some states.

Having said that I would be thinking of a cable and lever arrangement balanced by a spring and relying on friction grip of the slide to hold the plate in the desired position.

Feel free to add more complications / costs as you think best.

Oh yeah ; to add my request to the post above :

WHY?

Pete.

Well the main reason is looks I guess. Not many people like the look of a front license plate. I've seen countless people with their plates illegally mounted behind their front window. In my case, I don't want to mount a license plate right in front of my intercooler. So the driver will be able to raise and lower the plate whenever they choose. If they choose to drive with it up and take the chance of getting busted, or if they just choose to put it up when they park.

I've mentioned this idea on other forums and I believe there is a strong market for a product like this. Plus, it can't hurt to have experience creating and selling a product if I'm planning on doing this sorta thing out of school

Brian,
Good luck with the project and whatever business comes as a result of it.

Cheers , Pete.