Want to Contact 901/05 (Shawn) re: Duane Hyatt & Old California Blue License Plates

[Dan in Pasadena]

Shawn,

I posted a question on the, "July 14-16 -- 231 mile Colorado mountain run" thread. I noticed Duane Hyatt's '73 RS is wearing a personalized blue California plate with correct stickers, etc. Someone told me Duane is the owner and rarely posts here but is your friend and maybe you know how to contact him?

My question is this: Per the California DMV website and AAA, only 1962 and older vehicles can wear older plates...i.e. the yellow ones or the black ones. I own a '76 and want to put era-correct blue plates on it. I know I can buy replica plates from a website named licenseplates.tv and they will perosnalize them if I want. But blue plates never came personalized back in the day. I have thought of ordering the blue plates with the number/letter sequence of my current white plates then putting the correct registration stickers on them. If I get stopped, the numbers jive with my registration, all is okay....but the problem is a saavy cop will know that those old blue plates never came with the modern number/letter sequence. So I want to know how Duane has managed to pull this off? ANY help appreciated...from you, Duane or anyone here on the board if they know how to do it.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Here's the photo I saw with the personalized old California blue plates:

[kycarguy 935]

Sam Cabligio use to have the personalized blue and yellow plate "THE BEST" and it was on a 73 Carrera. Cool factor huh.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Okay, cool that personalized blue plates existed ...although I don't remember them. BUT, there definitely IS a way to tell if my current number/letter sequence is assignedto a current white plate and is not correct on a blue plate....but I agree its a long shot if the officer would notice it. But if he did? I could get pinched for counterfeit plates and I don't think that is a misdemeanor. So unless the plates in these pictures date from way back then...hows he doing it...legally?

[W Scott Shores]

I believe the replica plates you refer to are made out of acrylic.

[W Scott Shores]

Great! I may have to get a replacement for the front of my car. It's all bent up.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally posted by SoCal911SC
No, they are embossed aluminum like a standard issue Cal plate.

Whew! Good to know....you know it for sure? I was told they are almost undetectable from state issued ones. If I thought I could get away with them I'd love to have them. Maybe a California police officer or better yet a CHP will respond with the straight dope?

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally posted by SoCal911SC
If the plate in that picture isn't a plate issued by the state of California, then he isn't doing it legally.

But that doesn't mean he will get caught. Because it's a personalized plate, I think it's unlikely. (Plus, that plate looks a bit faded, so my guess is it's an original plate).

But if you are running a brand spanking new blue plate in a current California plate number/letter configuration (5ABC123), I think there is a good chance you WILL get caught. That's just too obvious.

Yeah, unfortunately what you deescribe is EXACTLY my concern. I suppose I really have to do it legally if it is possible or not do it at all....damn!

[Dan in Pasadena]

SoCal911SC, Will you please post pictures or at least a good description when your, uh...er...."friend" gets his blue plates? I'll owe you dude. I think your....uh...er..."his" idea of getting current personals and duplicating them in blue clone plates is probably workable. Hoping to see pix.

[look 171]

Dan, they do exist. I remember my cousin who owned a Mustang with her name on the blue plate back in 1977. I was thinking, I gotta have one of those for me when I get my car in 10 years.

Jeff

[Dan in Pasadena]

Jeff, Thanks for the info. I will be looking at Ebay to see if anything remotely acceptable in blue plates can be found. Otherwise? I guess its trickster time! Funny, I was out of high school in '72 (yes I am THAT old!) and I don't really remember personalized plates back then...but I'm sure you guys are right....memory is the second thing to go?

[kycarguy 935]

Here is some California DMV history I found. Looks like 1972 is the year the personalized plates started.

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/about/profile/milestones.htm

1964
DMV begins using magnetic tapes instead of punch cards for processing registration documentation.

1965
Smog control devices become a condition of first-time vehicle registration in California.

1966
Registration fee increases to $10 to help fund an expanded Highway Patrol staff.

1967
Legislature establishes the New Motor Vehicle Board. Registration fee increases to $11.

1968
Department begins using random access computer for processing basic registration documentation.

1970
Driver license records are fully computerized.
DMV resumes responsibility for registering boats.

1972
Personalized license plates, also known as environmental license plates (ELPs), debut.
DMV begins issuing driver licenses with color photos.
Registration of off-highway vehicles begins.

1975
Legislature authorizes DMV to begin issuing "Historical Vehicle" license plates for vehicles at least 25 years old and manufactured after 1922, in contrast to "Horseless Carriage" plates for vehicles made before 1922.
The DMV Child Care Center-the first child care center in a state building-opens in DMV Headquarters.

1976
Year-round vehicle registration renewal begins. Previously, vehicles were registered during the first month of the year, causing long lines at DMV.

1977
DMV begins issuing Disabled Person parking placards, displaying the international handicap emblem.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Thanks kycarguy.

Crap, it took a guy from freakin Kentucky to tell me the law in my own state!! - Funny.

Like I said, all I have to do is find personalized blue plates that I can stand to use and re-register it with them on it. Shouldn't be too hard. Too bad I couldn't just find regualr old blue plates and tell the DMV I found the min a box of old stuff I got with the car and would like to put them back on? Hell, maybe it WOULD work?!

[kycarguy 935]

Dan,

I lived in Long Beach and Huntington Beach for 25 years so don't feel bad. I remember many of those plates on the cars I have had over the years. I was CaCarGuy back then...hehe

[70SATMan]

Originally posted by Dan in Pasadena
Too bad I couldn't just find regualr old blue plates and tell the DMV I found the min a box of old stuff I got with the car and would like to put them back on? Hell, maybe it WOULD work?!

Nope. In Cal you(or DMV) have to prove that the car had those tags originally unless the personal plate thing is true (that I don't know). What I do know is that I can re-register my 70 that was last registered in 85 with the original blue plates as long as that number sequence has not been taken since it expired in 86. Course I have the original registrations on the car back to 75 and the original rear plate with original registration sticker peeled back to 1970. I'm planning on getting a replacement made for the front plate that was lost.