Topic: California License Plate

[Angela]

Has anyone gone down the path of restoring a 60's vintage California license plate? Attached is a picture of what I have been told is a period-correct plate (mid to late 60's) for california. It appears to me that the letters/numbers might have originally been yellow, yet someone later painted them white?

[Brian Conway]

Yes, originally yellow.  Brian

[jwc66k]

Technically, the color is "School Bus Yellow". For reference, Cal plates starting with "V" would be appropriate (close enough) for 1967. There is no exact way to make a determination. The plates Brian has in his post starting with "RDM", are from what I see in the picture, possibly issued for a 1965 GT Fastback in (or near) San Diego. My (October 65) 66 GT Fastback has original plates starting with "RXC" issued in Mountain View, CA. My (May 65) 65 GT Fastback has original plates starting with "NIS" issued in San Mateo, CA. As long as the state got it fees, they didn't care.
Jim

[J_Speegle]

Yes its a school bus yellow over a black background.


Not sure where your car was sold (can effect the license plant number sequence) - looking at my files I see similar ones used during spring of 67  in many parts of California though in some small DMV station (normally not many Mustangs sold in those farming areas) it could have been issued possibly a bit later in 67 from the original license plate data I've collected on Calif.

There should be dozens of Hot to Restore a Calif plate out there on the web.  Plus I believe there are service for such

[ChrisV289]

The original plates on my Oct 64 fastback start with PCC.  Car was bought in Downey, CA

[Ralf]

Not to open a new thread.

Is there any possibility (in the US) to officially (legally) re-print the number plate of my car (was unfortunately shipped overseas without the plates)?

CA, Blue Plate, yellow.

[J_Speegle]

Not to open a new thread.

Is there any possibility (in the US) to officially (legally) re-print the number plate of my car (was unfortunately shipped overseas without the plates)?

CA, Blue Plate, yellow.

Legally??   Not for use on a car in the US if I understand the law correctly. There are (never used them but have been told) a few places that make "reproductions" of the black and gold plates. They might be able to make a blue and yellow plate for the late 69-up cars.  But sorry don't have a web site or business name handy. Maybe someone else does.

I'm guessing you have an older registration with the original plate number on it in your records

[Ralf]

The car was sold in Sept. 14. I got the title. With that title I registered the car in Germany. Believed that the CA plate number can not be used anymore in the US.
I heard that car owners with a current registered car do have the possibility to restamp former and in the time being "unused" plates. May be I'm wrong.

[Bob Gaines]

Legally??   Not for use on a car in the US if I understand the law correctly. There are (never used them but have been told) a few places that make "reproductions" of the black and gold plates. They might be able to make a blue and yellow plate for the late 69-up cars.  But sorry don't have a web site or business name handy. Maybe someone else does.

I'm guessing you have an older registration with the original plate number on it in your records

The way i understand it the repo companies that do a fine job of making the plates have to do them in aluminum. It is against the law to make them in steel and if caught the maker will get fines and may get first hand experience on making real ones if in one of the states that still uses inmate labor .

[Ralf]

But sorry don't have a web site or business name handy. Maybe someone else does.

That would be great, if smb. knows smb who could do this......If so, also pn would be appreciated.

[jwc66k]

This is the only one I have in my favorites http://www.mojoartworks.com/ I've not tried them and cannot make a recommendation, but it's a start.
Jim

[Ralf]

Many thanks....

As I could read on their page " and we do not duplicate plates"
They are only restoring number plates which I don't have. I'm looking to find a store who stamp me the former plate, (of the car I bought) which is not in use anymore.
I assume that once the car has been sold, in this case overseas, that the corresponding number plate became invalid and not been used anymore (forever).
May be I'm wrong here. I thought to know that an US car owner who sold his car but still has another one in current use is allowed to re-stamp/re-print the number plate of his car sold.
May be I'm wrong here as well.

[DM_1964]

Has anyone gone down the path of restoring a 60's vintage California license plate?

I had Rod Pearman (aka the Tag Dr - www.tagdr.com ) restore mine, which were pretty banged up, he did a great job of straightening out and repainting.

[J_Speegle]

.
I assume that once the car has been sold, in this case overseas, that the corresponding number plate became invalid and not been used anymore (forever).

Depends on the state - there is a process where the state of California can reuse sequences after a period of time if the requirements are met.

May be I'm wrong here. I thought to know that an US car owner who sold his car but still has another one in current use is allowed to re-stamp/re-print the number plate of his car sold.

Unlike many countries the plates and number sequences are owned by the government. They are suppose to be given back to the state if the car is shipped over seas or another pair are issued. Doesn't happen all the time.  In other countries I see that the plates are owned by the individual and are often sold and traded on an open market and reused on other cars.

[67gtasanjose]

Here's a guy in Tenessee that does them too: http://m.finishyourplates.com/Prices---About-the-Business.html
or you can check out "Finish Your Plate" on Facebook
He sells on eBay too, I cannot vouch for him but maybe others can.