Replacement California License Plates

[mlangner]

Ok - So when I bought my car, the dealer that sold it to me told me that they would find the front license plate and send it to me.

Never happened. That was about 4 years ago.

Anyway, last year I got, not one, but TWO tickets for not having a front plate on another of my cars. (luckily those are fix it tickets).

Anyway I figured I don't need any additional excuses for the CHP to pull me over. Unfortunately, I don't have a match for my period blue and gold 1973 plate. I really don't want to put modern plates on my car ('cause I like the blue plate). Any ideas on if I can get another one fabricated or a different set of blue and gold plates?

[Jim T]

I tried to get an official replacement blue and gold California plate around 6 years ago. Worked through many depts of the DMV maze, but could never get it done. The conclusion was that if you need a front plate, you need to get a new set issued. Which is a bummer.

I tried to figure out a way to make a new blue plate - I think if you could make a reasonable copy, you'd be ok, because when you go to get your "fix it" ticket checked off, they aren't going to take out a microscope. But, it ended up being too much of a hassle and I gave up - relegating my '73 to a modern white plate.

[Jim T]

Oh, also, on one call, they told me if I could get a set of blue and gold plates, I could put them on my car, as long as the plates also came from a '73.

I bought a set of blue and gold plates from Ottos in Venice, they were not too far off from my original numbers. But, when I tried to get them registered to my car, I couldn't do it. The DMV clerk who gave me that advice was apparently wrong.

They did seem to suggest that if a car came with BLACK and gold plates, you could register the car with another set of black and golds. But that rule didn't apply to blues.

My '73 is gone now, but if anyone has any contrary info on getting blues put back on a car, I'd appreciate it, too. I'd like to have them on my '78.

[ttweed]

There is a local racer here (who may even be on this forum) whose front vintage black and yellow plate is actually a facsimile made out of vinyl and stuck on his front fiberglass bumper. Don't know if it's legal but it's worked for him so far.

TT

[boyo]

Check out http://www.darrylsplates.com

He can make duplicates using yours as a template. But he might take 6 months to do it...

Lots of other places do this. Illegal? Only if someone notices.

-Boyo

[mlangner]

If the paint is reflectorized and you have current stickers, how are they going to tell?

[makaio]

As far as getting new blue and gold plates, it isn't going to happen. The inmates at Folsom prison ( where all California plates are made) don't have that color to choose from.

I don't know how legal it is, but a buddy of mine with an old Mustang painted his white and blues, black and gold. He's never been questioned. Now if you put tried that on a 02' Boxster, I'm sure it wouldn't fly with the fuzz.

[mlangner]

So I read the California vehicle code, and I guess this is something that they never thought of....

There are rules for the size, shape, and reflectorization of plates, but no rule that says you cannot fabricate your own plates. I suppose you could get cited for not reporting a lost plate to the DMV, but there isn't any language to cover a situation such as using an exact replica of a plate...(disclaimer: read the code yourself, I make no warranty as to my interpretation of the CA vehicle code).

BTW the code says nothing about having to mount your plate right side up...

[widebody911]

Originally posted by Jim T
I bought a set of blue and gold plates from Ottos in Venice, they were not too far off from my original numbers. But, when I tried to get them registered to my car, I couldn't do it. The DMV clerk who gave me that advice was apparently wrong.
Yup, can't do that.
They did seem to suggest that if a car came with BLACK and gold plates, you could register the car with another set of black and golds. But that rule didn't apply to blues.
Can't do that either.
My '73 is gone now, but if anyone has any contrary info on getting blues put back on a car, I'd appreciate it, too. I'd like to have them on my '78.
Under current law, you're screwed if you want to backdate the plates on a 1963 or newer car. It's easy on pre-63 cars though! OTOH, I have seen later plates painted to look like earlier ones, and nobdy seemed the wiser.

[6 Shooter]

The CA DMV will not issue a blue/yellow plate to match a missing plate. Year of manufacture plates only work for the black/yellow plates. The only way of transferring previously issued blue/yellow plates to another car is if you can find some personal plates.
There used to be a guy that would duplicate black/yellow plates. He had the correct dies/stamps and everything. Had a great business for quite a while. I heard that FBI (?) went after him and shut him down. I have the # somewhere for another guy that will make a non-automotive/decorative black/yellow plate. Supposed to be a very good match. I haven't ordered one yet. I know that he requires proof of ownership/registration paperwork with that plate # before he will make you a decorative plate. He should be able to make a blue/yellow. I'll find his card and check....

[6 Shooter]

There was a guy that painted his reflectorized white/blue plates. He only painted the blue numbers/letters to black so that it would match his car (white/black)! He got written up (ticket) for modifying his plates. So it depends on the mood of who is writting you up. (Don't get them mad enough to pick you apart.)

[mlangner]

Originally posted by 6 Shooter
There was a guy that painted his reflectorized white/blue plates. He only painted the blue numbers/letters to black so that it would match his car (white/black)! He got written up (ticket) for modifying his plates. So it depends on the mood of who is writting you up. (Don't get them mad enough to pick you apart.)

Well... Actually, you aren't allowed to "modify" your plate. I mean what was he expecting painting his plates a non-standard color? Good thing his car wasn't hot pink...

[96740]

CA Legacy Plates

[dipso]

Originally Posted by 96740

CA Legacy Plates

Just saw that in this mornings paper. You beat me to it.