I joined the RROC just yesterday. Bought my GT last week from Bentley Long Island. It had just over 11,000 miles. I'm thrilled with it. I'm going to give your front plate application a go. It looks good on the car and I know I'll get a ticket here in VA w/o a front plate.

 

So do you think my plate is illegal in the great state ofTexas? I blanked out the Texas bits that were part covered by the frame.

And, is it worth joining the RROC? Thanks.

 

My understanding is that if any of the lettering is covered up, it is illegal. However, it is one fine license plate.

For me, it is one of the best things I have done and enhances and compliments the ownership of my Bentley greatly. Now understand, most of the functions I have attended were put on by the Great State of Texas Region. So I don't know how other RROC regions operate. The dues are relatively low and well worth the time to see how it fits with your situation. Here is an article on the subject - titled "The Case for Membership in the Rolls Royce Owners Club":

First, the Conclusion:
I don’t know when I have had a better time in recent memory.

Second, the Reason:
It all started when I found out that the next national meeting of the Rolls Royce Owners Club (hereafter called RROC) was going to be in San Antonio which is fairly close to where I live. This would give me a good reason take my Bentley CGTC on a road trip and see some beautiful automobiles. However, I had concerns and I decided first to go to a seminar which was hosted by the Texas Region. The seminar was held in Austin this past weekend. I felt it would give me a sense of what to expect of the RROC in general and the national event in particular. The seminar was a 2 day event where the main objective was to examine the mechanical condition of the automobiles submitted by the attendees.

Third, the Concerns:

1. How welcome would a Bentley owner feel?
After all, it is called the Rolls Royce Owners Club. The bottom line is that Bentley owners are very welcome. In fact, the majority of the automobiles were Bentleys (by a slight amount - of the 19 automobiles, 10 were Bentleys). Many attendees owned a mixture of Rolls and Bentleys.

2. Are the members a bunch of stuffed shirts?
Nothing could have been further from the truth. They were young and old, came from towns large and small and from all walks of life. I found myself seeking conversation with new people, instead of hanging around with a select group, because of how interesting the attendees were. I imagine the 1% was well represented at the event but no one there was conspicuous about it. You could determine some who qualified by asking a simple question like “How many cars do you own?”. When they said 20 or more you knew, but I doubt you would ever find out unless you asked.

3. How would newer automobiles be received?
The reason I was concerned is that the “Modern Car” section of the RROC forum is titled “Modern Cars - Rolls-Royce and Bentley cars built after 1980”. It was hard for me to imagine that a 30 year old car was modern. In any event, I can report that newer cars are well received. As an example, several individuals thanked me for bringing my Bentley to the event. They seemed to enjoy the ones built after the turn of the century as well as the vintage ones.

4. Would I find examining vintage (by that I mean old) cars interesting?
I suspected I would like it, but it turned out that I loved it. It was very interesting to see how far the automobile has come over the years. The cars were hoisted up high enough to see what problems might be lurking there. It was most entertaining to watch an owner’s face when the mechanic would explain things like the brake rods on his car were installed incorrectly. The skill level of the mechanics was very high and their knowledge of the most intricate problems was amazing. We were able to ask questions about our cars and it was funny how one question led to another. That, by itself, was worth the time and cost.

5. Was the value received worth the time and cost?
This was one of the most cost effective events that I have ever attended. The cost of the seminar was $30. This included 2 breakfasts, a lunch, 2 dinners, an examination of your automobile by a skilled mechanic and secure parking which was manned by an off duty police officer at night. The cost of the Hotel (Homewood Suites) was $115 per night and the rooms were very nice and spacious. You would be hard pressed to find a more likable person than Phillip Reese, who headed up the event. He was tireless in his stewardship and a very high level of organization was the result.

I don’t know for sure if the national event will be a good as Texas Region’s, but it did convince me that it will be worthwhile to give it a try. I suspect that I am not the only one who would enjoy this organization and therefore I recommend that others in the forum consider membership. In addition, the national event could facilitate our getting together as some of us have suggested doing so from time to time.

Reference:
Rolls Royce Owners Club web site: http://www.rroc.org/

 

GrWisher,

Thank you for your very full reply.

I will have to remain illegal in Texas for cosmetic reasons. I don't feel to alone though.

Re the RROC club, then I am sold.

Sorry I cant make the April SA meet, but I'm back in Blighty for that.

Thanks again.

 

I have mine on, but it doesnt fit the car since i bought it from Lexus of Orlando

 

Unless they pay me for advertising, I take them off immediatly on all my vehicles.

 

I always take the dealer surround off, but in the Bentley's case, I left the dealer plate, Chariots of Palm Beach. I am a new Bentley owner, a 2008GTC in Umbrian Red.

 

dr d, i also purchased a car from the naples dealer. i drove from miami to pick up the car. the entire experience was laid back and pleasant. i suggest eating lunch at skyline chile nearby. have you been to their breakfast among the cars event?

 

It has been many years since I was in Naples Fl. I bought my car used here in Knoxville Tn and they just had the Naples plate laying around. I put it on because it looks nice, period. I would love to take a road trip down that way and visit the dealer that I am advertising.

 

I bought a polished stainless steel plate frame on line. Says Bentley on it. Looks great and no dealer name.

 

Bought my car in NY and it had a Bentley of Long Island plate on it. Took it to my local dealership here in Palm Beach and had them switch it to theirs. I normally take them off on all previous cars but on the Bentley I don't mind it for some weird reason.

 

Exactly!