The CA DMV recently enacted a Legacy Plate program (more info). This allows us in CA to order correct blue plates for our cars since you can't take any random set of old blue plates and reassign them to your car (the program for that is for 69 and earlier cars). The fee is $50 to get these new plates.

When the law initially passed I wasn't sure if the 7500 applications necessary to get the program rolling (think group-buy for plates) would actually happen. Well I just rechecked the website (link above) and they've put up a counter showing how close they are to getting the minimum number of applications. Since they're 70% of their goal, I think I'll get my application in for both my cars.

I'm posting to hopefully push a few more members off the fence and get their applications in. If you're a member on other club site, reposting this may get more people in as well. This is one of the few times when new laws are actually helping us out, not putting more restrictions on us.

I was disappointed. I sent in an application to get a plate # that matched the original plate # for the car - application was rejected.

So does that program apply to black plates? (DMV issued me blue plates for my 64 back in 1977)

Mark, Do you have any concrete info on the plate material and such. I thought i heard that these "plates" will be like the kind found at souvenir shops (even some smaller states) where the plate is a hard plastic and has the letters printed on there, as opposed to the original metal stamped ones.... I only want to buy into the program if its going to be a real metal stamped plate..

I read somewhere they are reflective...

Yes but you'll need all of the documentation/laws to "train" the DMV staff, a full set of 2 matching plates not currently assigned (email me if you need the Sacto DMV # to check if plates are open), time & patience Mark. There are lots of sites out there selling sets - from grody to NOS, & it pays to wait for some at the right price. You'll also need the correct Year sticker for YOM if not on the plates you get (or if blank NOS unused ones).

I got a single NOS 56 series trailer plate + NOS 60 sticker online for our restored 1960 Avion trailer (sim. to Airstream), but still need to do the plate thing with DMV for our renewal next month. I hear it's a hassle, long wait & sometimes problemmatic with DMV cuz "they don't know their A from a hole in the ground!"

McMark & all - these repro plates are not exact duplicates, since they are now going to be reflective (all eras) in whatever color was appropriate then, & the numbers/letters are printed - not stamped & painted as were the originals - but still as close as you can get until they extend the YOM plates for later years after 69.

Jeff, give me a call some eve this week or weekend & I'll give you the Sacto DMV 3 to check if your original plates are assigned to another car or not turned in by somebody. That should be the only reason they'd reject it. If not, try calling them or ask the Sacto guy why & where to take it up further.

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/legacyplates/faqs.htm

Q13: Are the Legacy Plates going to look exactly like the license plates issued in the 1950's, 1960's, and 1970's?
A: No. Current law requires license plates to be reflectorized and modern manufacturing processes may not allow for an exact replication of the original plates. The images shown on the website and REG 17L are for illustrative purposes only. The final design of the plate will differ; however, as many characteristics of the original plates as possible will be applied.

Tom, I would imagine "CALIFORNIA" will be printed (like the plates that are now being issued) but is it known that the license numbers/letters will be printed? Current plates are stamped.

Yes they're not identical. BUT, I'll take a not quite right blue plate over what I've got now anyday.

I got my white plates stamped and repainted by a guy down here. They look just like the older plates now, but they are seven digit.

I know it's not legal, but no one has complained YET.

Now I know why your the Monkeyboy

Too bad you can't resurrect old blue plates. I have the original for my 73. Blue plate of course. No need for it out here in NM so it's just a wall decoration.

I let mine lapse for 30 years (although I still have them - see avitar) and someone resurrected them and now is using them again. Now they are white though. Bummer...

It could be sooner than you think…SF Gate

Thanks for putting the info out.

i sent my check in and they cashed it months ago. im getting black and yellows. i heard that if they cash the check then its a go.... mark have they cashed your check? i swear i saw an old caddy on the freeway with a 7 digit black and yellow. havnt seen any blue and yellow ones yet....

Native since the beginning......good luck fellas.Click to view attachment

What is the consensus here on getting black plates on a car that is supposed to have blue ones?

With this program you can do that. Whatever makes you happy.

i am doing black plates. i dont care if they are period correct or not.

True. Both look cool. I guess it may depend too on the color of your car to match it.

Blue is cool.

Don't brag Rob.

Definitely cool that's what I mean about matching the car.

It sounds like a great idea, but they are only at 10% of the minimum orders for the blue plates and THEN, it is a 12 month wait? So we get our plates in like 2016

If you can figure out how to use these you'll be just as cool Mark. Dug them out today.

Click to view attachment

Nice patina, but they would also clean up real purty.

Here's the old girl they came off of.

Click to view attachment

1971 Fastback. Great car, should have kept it... Yes, those are faux sheepskin seat covers...

On the way...

Register as a vanity plate

I was looking around the garage for the set of blues that were on the '76 530i I sold a couple years ago. I thought I kept them, but I haven't found them (yet). I thought I could have them reassigned to the 'BB'

I did find an errant blue plate that's apparently from my '66 912. I thought it had black plates, damnit

At least my wife's '71 914 has blue the original plates

I'm on the hunt for a nice set of blackies for my '64