Link and website works for me. Matter of fact, I just got off the phone with them about a pair of 1951 COM plates that I ordered and received from them recently. Let me just say that the plates are not 100% exact replicas. However, they're decent copies.

I found a few incorrect things with them, like the font for the 19 CALIFORNIA 51 across the bottom is different than on the original plate, as well as the word CALIFORNIA is too wide on the repro plate than it is on the original plate. Lastly, the original plate has a slightly angled beveled edge, where as the repro plate has a sharp routed edge like the current issue plates have.

I also found in my repro plates that the "C" in COM is crooked when compared to the original plate. For $220 that the pair of plates cost me, I'd expect better workmanship. I called them about it just now and they'll fix the issue as long as I email them a picture. I also advised them of the font and spacing inaccuracies via email.

My photo hosting website is down so I can't post pictures. I'll do it as soon as it's back up.

For those of you that want the YOM plates without the DMV hassle, email or PM me and I'll tell you what I did and what you can do. I just don't want to post it in a public forum.

 

Hey Jag Red

You know your comment is right on. I didn't have that myself exactly, but its clear there's a lack of uniformity about how the DMV workers see it. And they clearly take it upon themselves to further their "unique" thoughts and ideas--often in spite of the specific DMV laws. Its wild. Once i was getting a "title" for an old rust hulk that didn't have one/and hadn't run etc in 20+ years. And that can be done!! And its totally in accord with the DMV records/procedures/policies/forms etc. And i'd done it all-in completing the forms etc--I had a pro help me. But the first person just wouldn't accept what i wanted!!! It was wild. And you can't argue. So I took the whatever thing they gave me--it had something to do with hauling the truck to a weight station and having it weighed and all this stuff---NOT REQUIRED--in this situation and I knew it/because I had someone helping me who knows and they helped me with all the specific forms. Anyway I went out of the DMV and stood in the parking lot for a moment--And instead of leaving--I went back in and got in line again, and got another counter person. And explained how somehow?? lol I had not "explained" it properly to the previous person--Ya my fault ???--and could they please process my papers as I need them etc, And they said "oh ya sure". I see you need a title--YES Thankyou God. And they accepted my completed forms and I got the title. End of STory. Still laughing and I swear to God that's exactly how it happened.

 

Here are the photos of the repro plates.

I currently have new style vanity plates on my 52 Panel that say "R 52PNL". I ordered a pair of 1951 CA license plates from licenseplates.tv and below is what I received after about two weeks.





They're not 100% correct, but close enough. They're making me a brand new pair of license plates to replace the ones above because the "C" is crooked in "COM". I also advised them of the wrong font and spacing of CALIFORNIA. They want me to scan my original plate and email it to them so that they can hopefully correct their existing dyes.

Original plate on top versus repro plate on bottom. Note the font for the 19 CALIFORNIA 51 across the bottom is different than on the original plate, as well as the word CALIFORNIA is too wide on the repro plate than it is on the original plate. Also, look carefully at the edges on both plates. The original plate has a slightly angled beveled edge, where as the repro plate has a sharp routed edge like the current issue plates have.



The repro plates also don't have the six holes drilled/punched in them. I've asked the outfit that made the plates and most customers prefer to drill their own holes for their specific mounting brackets. I plan to drill all six original holes by using the original plate as a guide.

I've also had several other plates made by licenseplates.tv before the 1951 plates became available.

For the 1951 Panel.



For the 52 Panel.


In actuality, getting YOM plates is very simple. Order a set of vanity plates through the DMV in your desired sequence, either with custom wording like mine or with correct for the era letter/number sequence. Remember that 1951 COM plates allow only six characters. The vanity plates will be registered to your vehicle. You still have to pay the annual fee if you had the YOM plates. The vanity fee is around $30 or $35 per year. Once you have the vanity sequence locked through the DMV, order a set of the repro plates in your desired year. Remember that you'll need the correct year tab for 1951-1955 plates (1952-1955 year tab will be needed) and correct year stickers for 1956-1962 plates (1957-1962 stickers). These tabs or stickers will need to be purchased online or at swap meets. When you get your repro plates, make a tab to fit the current month/year stickers and fasten the tab with the new stickers onto your plate and put on the vehicle. When/if the cop runs your plates, they'll still come back to the registered owner. Most cops don't bother with old vehicles and most don't know the difference. As a safety precaution, you should possess the correct state issued plates in the vehicle to show to the cop if you're ever hassled.

This process is still cheaper and faster than the YOM process at the DMV. If you can find a set of decent 1951 COM plates, expect to pay $500+. 1956 commercial plates are $350+. A repro pair of 1951 COM plates will run you $220 with free shipping. A repro pair of 1956 commercial plates will run you $160. Sometimes licenseplates.tv has a sale, usually 10% off. In two weeks, versus a month or so for the YOM process through the DMV, you'll have faux YOM plates on your vehicle. Plus, you don't have to waste your time talking to the desk jockeys at your local DMV office.

 

51Panelman

Wow. That seems like a good thing to me. I suppose "technically" the state probably doesn't officially like this sort of thing--I guess--but I don't think anyone really cares. I mean its one of those laws where if there were some sort of complaint or some "inspector" was "required" to make an issue-they would. But that hardly seems likely.

For sure the cost of buying OEM YOM plates is crazy expensive--unless one lucks into something.

I'd consider this option if I were gonna do it again.

 

This isn't a big "cash cow" for the sate. That's why the enforcement is almost non-existent right now.

If my suggested method takes off, expect the price of original YOM plates to drop.

I "lucked" into a pair of 1951 COM plates a few years ago at the Stockton swap meet. I paid $15 for the pair, but someone cut the sides off each plate to make them the size of the current plates. The ends were hidden in the plate frames and can't really be noticed. Still, I couldn't pass them up for the price.

Just at the last GG swap meet in Pleasanton, I saw a guy trying to sell a beat up rusted through pair of 1951 COM plates for $100.

 

I tried that actually. Figured I'd use the AAA as the lines are short. The guy looked at what I wanted for a plate (C 61 361) and said "you cannot use that as a vanity plate as that is a commerical configuration". That was that. Back to the offical YOM tack.

Gustave

 

That's too bad.

 

That's interesting. You should have went to the DMV or better yet, order your plates online.

I just tried to "order" your desired sequence (C 61 361) on the DMV website through their personalized plate section and it's available and orderable. I selected COMMERCIAL for the type of vehicle and then arranged your characters. The next screen showed that the plate sequence was available. It's $49 to order the plates.

I'd say that it's best to order the personalized plates online and avoid the confusion at AAA or DMV office itself.

 

I tried the same thing. Even printed it out to show to the person at AAA. After his comments I figured that if I did order the plates online that the order would get stopped somewhere down the line. But maybe it's worth a shot.

Gustave

 

Wow. This is all so typical of the "mystery' of using the specialized plates. Depending on where you go and who "you get at the counter"--any counter-- DMV or AAA or wherever. There seems to be a lot of intermediary misunderstandings. Maybe someone at AAA established such a policy--thinking that one couldn't order commercial vanity plates? Or who knows.
But I think maybe you're right--if your interested--I guess there's nothing to lose by just going directly on line and giving it a try? Is there?

I'm interested in knowing how this all plays out.

Goodluck

 

Well, the AAA guy may have known his stuff after all? I tried to order the plates online and hit the dreaded second intercept point. Where the website initially says the plates are available, but then you fill out the cc info and everything, hit the "buy now" button and it then pops back and says the plates are not available.

This has happened to me before when ordering other personalized plates.

g

 

Uh? REally? Boy its hard to know isn't it. Well i guess you can still go with the DMV and YOM forms. Looks like you should be good to go on that. Are you still interested?

 

Oh yeah. Have not given up. Appointment at DMW on Monday to try the official YOM process. We'll see.

Gustave

 

goodluck/let us know how it goes

 

FIX THEM and use them or sell them. i have a few '51 comm single plates (trying to find their mates ). i found my '51 BE plates for the '54 for $125 (good shape), found my '56 comm plates for the '60 for $25 (good shape) and my '47 pass plates for $25 (good shape and had them for 3 years before using them)....so they're still out there.