Not sure whether it's appropriate to post in this forum but am sure and if not administrator will redirect to appropriate location. Anyhow, for info purposes, received weekly Hemmings Motor News email and they had an article on a company who offer new license plates, cost approx. $80 each, which seems awfully high but for those who have spindled and mutilated plates it cost about the same, or more to have plates restored. Found there are a few companys who can repair plates but if they are in poor or damaged condition they don't have the equipment to restore them, it cost me shipping plates back to find this out. Did find a company who claims they can restore damaged plates at $80 plus $20 for material each. Anyhow, have 64 plates intend to replace if ever get the vehicle on the road, only issue I can see is whether the respective states' DMV will recognise them.

 

If you were in any state other than CA I would think you could get by with using them...as YOM plates. I suspect you'd have to jump through considerable hoops there to get something like that approved. In Louisiana you have to provide a photo of the YOM plate you want to use and if the number isn't currently being used (highly unlikely) then you can register it as an Antique/Classic vehicle.

 

One of the 65 plates was in poor condition so I decided to straighten as best as possible and repaint, read an article on process in restoration book. Did not come out too bad but noticable up close, at least cops have not said anything. The 64 plates are beyond a 'do it myselfer'. Figure if decide to go the new plate route I would use the original letter and numbers and keep the originals in case the plates became an issue. Intend to call the company and inquire into the quality and gage of the sheet metal. Out of curiosity likely inquire with DMV but if I find the quality and gage material is acceptable then not sure I would pay any attn. to what they had to say. Do have the other option of sending plates for restoration, the companys web page has before and after pic's of plate that were in very poor condition and came out looking new. Anyhow, may be a mute point, getting the 64 on the road is so far on the 'to do' list not sure when able to get around to it.

 

What ppl have been doing for quite a while to add black plates to a vehicle that doesn't have them:

They pick a license number, run it thru the CA DMV to make sure it's clear.

Then they order personalized plates with this number on it, then have a set of black plates made either in plastic or aluminum (there are several companies that do this) with this same number.

When the personalized plates arrive, they take the stickers, put them to the black plates, install them on the vehicle, put the personalized plates under the seat...just in case.

According to a pal of mine who's a manager of a local DMV office, the polizei are only concerned that the license plate number matches the vehicle.

 

Bill, thanks for the info. Actually turned in a set of blk plates, at the direction of the DMV, only to find later I did not need to. Now remember I have an extra set of blk plates for passenger car that's in good shape and should be able to use for the 64 vehicle. As for the truck, sent them out for repair but the company did not have the equip'mt to restore them, this is why the Hemmings source got my interest where the buyer can customize the plates with their own letters and numbers. Imagine that as long as the material used for the plates are not the thickness of a beer can and flapping in the breeze there should not be an issue.