Rear fold down license plate holder

[Hawkeye]

What was the first year GM introduced the rear fold down license plate holder to give access to the gas tank? Also, is anyone familiar with a GM Accessories chrome license plate frame that had a small handle at the top to pull it down easier?
Thanks,
Marty

[scuncio]

I don’t have an answer to your question, but I remember my parents’ 79 Fleetwood had a metal tab on the RH top corner of the fold down license door so you didn’t skin your knuckles reaching behind it to pull it down.

[Hawkeye]

Tony,
Did it look like this?

[olredalert]

Originally Posted by Hawkeye

What was the first year GM introduced the rear fold down license plate holder to give access to the gas tank? Also, is anyone familiar with a GM Accessories chrome license plate frame that had a small handle at the top to pull it down easier?
Thanks,
Marty

----I have one and was told it was a Buick accessory, but am not posative on that!....Bill S

[scuncio]

That’s not the one I remembered. That was a simple metal tab that was bolted or riveted to the steel door and allowed you to hook a finger on it. The frame is sweet - you’re saying that was an GM accessory?

[olredalert]

----I am pretty sure, Tony. Mine is not for sale....Bill S

[Lynn]

Can't tell you the FIRST year for GM.

68 Chevelle wagons used it. I put one on my 68 El Camino to hide the receiver hitch. Looking at pics of a 65 & 67, apparently the filler is on the side. So, maybe 68 was the first year for Chevelle. Not sure about previous years.

According to this article, Ford first did it in 1952.

https://krcgtv.com/features/beyond-t...as-filler-caps

[Lynn]

BTW, I have never skinned a knuckle pulling it down; but then I don't pull it down to put gas in; only when I am putting the receiver hitch in.

[scuncio]

It’s a pain on my 67 GTO. I’m going to fabricate something subtle.

[John Brown]

From the article linked...

One manufacturer says it puts all of its gas caps on the side against traffic as a safety issue in case the driver has to put gas in the vehicle along the side of a road.

I always like being on the side of the road pouring gas in while traffic is zooming by right next to me. What maroon made that statement? Subaru.