At Holley’s LS Fest East, the creativity of car enthusiasts goes beyond the engine bay. One often-overlooked detail that showcases personality and humor is the humble license plate. From clever wordplay, these plates offer a glimpse into the spirit of each vehicle and owner. After scanning the rows of LS-powered machines at Beech Bend Raceway, we’ve found our top 5 plates of Holley’s LS Fest East 2024 that capture the playful vibe of the event. These plates are sure to bring a smile to any car enthusiast’s face.
1. THHICC
Coming in at number one, we have “THHICC” on a fifth-gen Camaro SS from Missouri. This plate is a home run for several reasons. First, the Camaro is a favorite of mine, and seeing one from my home state immediately caught my attention. But what sealed the number one spot is the brilliant combination of the car’s notorious feature and a dash of comedy. As many know, the fifth- and sixth-gen Camaros are infamous for their thick rear bumpers, earning them the “thicc” nickname among enthusiasts. This owner embraced the joke and ran with it, creating a license plate that is both a clever reference and a funny commentary on their car’s proportions. It’s the perfect blend of car culture humor and regional pride that makes THHICC the top plate at LS Fest East.
2. UCANTRY
This 2012 Corvette ZR1 has an open-door invitation to try and gap ’em. With a license plate that reads “UCANTRY,” it is similar to putting candy in front of a kid, you can’t not try. However, other than the plate, there are two other signs that this C6 will take you to the cleaners. The 360 camera mount and the ZR1 badging tells us that anyone who does try, is probably in trouble. The confidence behind this plate has earned it a number two spot in the top 5.
3. BAD86SS
Coming in at number three, we have BAD86SS on an ’86 Monte Carlo from Bullitt County, Kentucky. This plate showcases a stride of confidence and cleverness from its owner. The play on the word “badass” is not only humorous but also demonstrates a smart workaround of most states’ restrictions on curse words on license plates. It’s likely no coincidence that this car hails from Bullitt County, a name that will resonate with old-school gearheads as a reference to the iconic Bullitt Mustang. By proclaiming their ride as “badass” while avoiding any actual profanity, and potentially avoiding the often-asked question of the car’s model year, the owner has earned the number three spot in our top 5.
4. LVNLOUD
Coming in at number four, we have “LVNLOUD” on a fourth-gen Holden Ute. This Australian import was already a rare sight at LS Fest East, but its license plate elevated it to a must-see. While cloned Commodores are common, a genuine right-hand drive Holden commands attention. The plate “LVNLOUD,” short for “living loud,” is a perfect match for this car’s personality. As enthusiasts, we all know that living loud – whether that’s through our cars’ exhaust notes or our passion for the hobby – is the best way to be. With its LSA blower, this Holden is sure to live up to its plate’s promise. The combination of the car’s unique import status and its cool, laid-back plate has earned it the number four spot in our top 5.
5. DONKEY
Rounding out our top 5 is “DONKEY” on an LS-swapped Mustang. Seeing someone defect from the Blue Oval to the LS side is always entertaining, but this plate takes it to another level. While the backstory behind the plate remains a mystery, that only adds to its charm. Spotted in the midst of a sweltering Kentucky heatwave, stumbling upon this unexpected plate was a welcome moment of humor amidst the melting heat. The sheer randomness of the plate, combined with the timing of when I saw it, left a lasting impression and earned it the number five spot in our top 5.
With these top 5 plates, it’s clear that the creativity and humor of LS Fest East attendees extend far beyond their engine choices. But with so many cars and personalities packed into Beech Bend Raceway, we may have missed some other gems. If you attended LS Fest East 2024 and spotted a license plate that gave you a good laugh or summed up the spirit of the event perfectly, let us know! Share a photo of your favorite plate and the story behind it. Who knows, it might just be featured in our next round-up of the best license plates from LS Fest East 2024. Until then, keep living loud, embracing the thicc life, and proving that when it comes to clever plates, the LS community has got it in spades.