In Michigan, If the car is 25 model years old, or older, it can be registered as a vintage vehicle. You can use an old original plate of the same year as the vehicle if you register it as a vintage vehicle.

 

Are these vintage plates the commercial type? If the answer is no, see Caveat Emptor below.

Go to the CA DMV's website and run the plates to see if they're clear, you can also do this by calling their 800 number.

Motorcycles use the same sequence of letters/numbers as some older CA plates do.

There's nothing worse than buying a mint set of plates, only to discover you can't use them.

Revised 2008: CA now allows non commercial black plates 1963/69, commercial plates 1963/71 to be installed on these vehicles (replacing what's on there now) as long as you have the tag to match the year of the vehicle, except 1963.

Black plates were first issued in 1963, and are stamped 1963, so no tag is required.

Black plates are one of the types that motorcycles use the same sequence of letters/numbers. Non commercial: Three letters, followed by three numbers: AAA 000.

The three letter/three number sequence began on plates issued in 1956.

CAVEAT EMPTOR: CA charges extra for commercial plates, and all trucks must have them...unless they're "grandfathered" (non commercial plates currently on trucks before the law changed) or the truck has a camper shell.

 

I'm in the process of doing the same thing.

Here is the actual California Code Section For YOM plates.

My first experience with the California DMV in many many years showed that they have VASTLY improved both their attitude and service. The lady I spoke with was VERY helpful, and it didn't seem to be much of a problem.

As far as stealing the plates, I'm not sure if this is legal or not in California - I'm checking, and will probably do it anyway - but a couple of the restoration companies for the plates make cast duplicates (about $75).

I'm having my plates restored and casts made. After I take the original plates up to the DMV to have them inspected (and hopefully cleared) then I'm going to put the cast on the truck and keep the originals safely tucked away. I doubt if I get stopped any cop would ever know the difference.

I'll let ya know how it goes!

Here's the link:

CA Codes (veh:5000-5024)

Good Luck
J!

 

In the great state of Texas, you may use original year plates if they are proper for the vehicle. In my case I needed to find 57 Truck plates. Found a set of unissued 1957 Texas Truck plates on the internet for $80. Original license plates make a great addition to a restoration project.

 

Not quite true, Bill...the 1951 was a black plate, yellow letters, stamped '51. They changed years with a metal tab, in the lower right corner. It's true, when people talk about "black plates" on old cars out of California, they are talking usually about 1963's, and it's prevalent in the 60's-70's "muscle cars". As the plate stays with the car, even after sale, if you have, say, a 1966 Chevelle, with "black plates", they'd be the original '63 with stick-on tags of the last year on the road, up to current ones. The commercial '51 was also black with yellow letters. This means the car has not had the plates replaced due to damage, loss, theft, etc.

1956 plates were yellow, with black lettering, as were '47 - 50 (with metal tags).

Here's some pictures:





I have been collecting '51 plates, trying to get one of every state, even some Canadian ones, for the wall of my shop. I have 22 of them, now. The hardest is going to be Tennessee, as that year, the plate was in commemoration of the Tennessee Vols winning the NCAA Championship, so it's orange and white. It's also nice because they are cut in the shape of Tennessee. They usually go for over $100. Even without any paint, rusty, etc, they go for over $50. Here's one:



R

 

Well Roger
I see I am not the only one that had that idea. I have a 52 and so I have all 48 states, Alaska Hawaii a Washington DC and 5 or 6 of the Canadian provinces. Due to to war some of mine are 51 base plates that would require a windshield sticker. I also collect California and Tennessee plates, thats a nice 51 that you show. The D on it suggest that it is for a heavy or luxury car.

 

Indiana is that way - it's hard to find a truck plate. They used the '51 for '52 and '53, due to Korea, with a metal small plate on top, so there's 3 times as many truck guys looking for 1/3 as many plates. Very difficult! I have a car, but no truck.

If you ever find a '51 Tennesse, practically ANY shape, cheap, let me know! I don't care how it looks, pretty much, just that I have one. I like the way they look on the wall.

Yeah, that Tenn. one is nice, it's not mine, it was up on ebay. Like I said, for just a wall decoration, $50-100 is more than I want to spend! $5-10 is the tops, depending on the plate, although I will pay more for Hawaii, and Alaska, I'm sure, especially Alaska!

R

 

Well, believe it or not the hardest one and the most expensive one in the 1952 run for me was the Washington state. For the 1951 for you it will probably be the Tenn plate, you won't find one in any condition for less than 40-50 bucks. I was fortunate enough to inherit my grandfathers collection so I picked up many of them from the 40s and 50s with the same number. By the way my Indiana is the 1951 truck plate with the little 52 tab that bolts on.

 

My reference inre to Black Plates is that for the first time these plates can be used again.

I'm very familar with all the CA plates, as I collect them, and Ford dealer advertising metal license plate frames from the 1960's and earlier. I have over 500 sets and individual frames .

Ppl have been hoarding Black Plates for years just waiting for the CA DMV to 'get up off it.'

Did you know that the three letters on 1963 CA Black Plates will tell you not only what county they were originally issued in, but the particular DMV office they came from?

Examples: IME & IMH = Santa Monica / JLJ, JLG, SQF = Culver City.

 

Hi Bill,

Honestly, you have the most interesting stuff that no one else seems to know. I wanted to let you know I really enjoy reading your posts! I learn so much.

Ok is there some publication or book that breaks down the code, or are we all just going to hope you live forever.

Thanks,

Julie