Wrong year plates for your Rod

[johndanger]

Figure I will start a new thread for this to get it away from the fake blower bitch out. hope that some of you have some good ideas .
I have been thinking of ways to put YOM plates on my cars , but the DMV will only let you run the plates for the year that the car was made , 1929 plates on a cool roadster set up in a nice early 5os style , is better than new plates thats for sure , but there has to be a better way .
I have heard of people having success registering their rods with the dates from the motor , but not very often , also have heard of people buying a set of 51 plates and having new personalized plates with the same numbers issued , but you ussually have to come up with some BS story about what it means , also have seen people cut up old 51 plates to make the numbers work and weld them back together to use the numbers from there YOM plates ( less numbers ). lots of work.
Heres what I am doing for my 32 mod. , it has a 57 small block , so I bought some beat up old 56 plates and cut the tops off above the numbers , 56 plates are the same size as the new ones , and the new ones have the California painted on , so you can actually just place the top of the old one over the new and it fits great ,just like a 42 over-rider over a 41 plate ,the only thing is that new plates are aluminum and the old are steel , so you can't weld it , but if you paint the new plate yellow with black letters , and just lay the old plate top over and clamp it in a frame ,the seam is almost not noticeable , sure there is too many numbers for a real old plate , but if the cops call in the numbers it comes back as being registered too you .

[El Caballo]

[ QUOTE ]
new plates are aluminum and the old are steel , so you can't weld it

[/ QUOTE ]

heliarc?

[johndanger]

not sure , about that , but I will find out , if its that simple , I am gonna owe my sheet metal guy a nice Xmas present.

[desertratrodder]

You might want to do more research... A friend got a felony charge for altering (painting) his plates. The number/ letter sequence is different for black, blue, white, etc. Cops get all weirded out when colors/ sequence dont go together. Just a little heads up to keep a HAMBer out of the SLAMBer. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[johndanger]

He says that it will not go , it will melt the aluminum to quick , maybe soldering or something , or even gluing on the backs and filling the fronts

[Django]

If you're gonna run illegally, go all the way. So I'm going to run '36 plates from California, AND on the first 2 numbers are the same on the pair. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif I couldn't justify paying $120+ on a matched CA pair when I live in IL. Since I have a dream to live in SoCal, and that reality is not very good right now, I'll bring a piece of SoCal to me! And if that gets me in too much trouble, I have a set of '36 IL plates in their orginal paint that look great. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif Of course the AV plates have to be in the trunk...

[johndanger]

I know that this is definately NOT legal , but I doubt a cop would give you a hard time for it , there is so much that they could do .

[Nads]

All's I can tell you is about Florida. You can run ANY YOM plate you want. The plate has to be in very good original condition, but for the most part DMV can't tell restored ones from originals.
We do have a very confusing weight/county/vehicle classification issue that's adhered to strongly. I.e you can't slap a dumptruck tag from Osceola county onto your '59 Impala registerd in Orange county.
I have both a 1954 and a 1960 plate that I could legally use on my cars.
But our antique plates that we get for free are truly beautiful. I just got one for the wife's '60 wagon and it's $5 cheaper than a regular plate.

[plan9]

im a bit confused on this plate thing... i have the original plates off my olds, can i still use them when it gets registered? last time it was reg'd was 1980

[johndanger]

what plates are they? You should be able to , just keep some paperwork with those numbers on it.

[Smokin Joe]

What state is ?

In Idaho, you can run YOM plates but they have to be approved origional plates. You send in pics of your plates and they decide wether to let you run them. I've got a nice set of 31 plates I want to put on my Coupe, but it's titled as a 28 due to the frame. Not sure how this one's going to work out. I sure don't want everyone pointing out I've got 28 plates on a car that looks like a 31. I'll worry about that when I get this thing built.

[plan9]

they are california plates, and i have a few yrs of registration papers... 77-80 i believe. the guy i baught the car off of didnt have a bill of sale from the previous owner because it was meant to be a parts car, but had the title and a bunch of paperwork. i did however, get a bill of sale from the old dude... do you guys think i will run into problems reg'ing it? the old registration papers have the name of the owner before the guy i baught the ride from.

[johndanger]

you will have to show that the plates were assigned to the VIN #

[johndanger]

what year car and what year plates

[choprods]

check your local vehicle code- it a bigger deal than you think. it also wont look as cool thru bars...... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[=mike=]

PLan 9 , if they are the original plates for your car and you have paperwork to prove it , AND they are in good condition , you should have no troubles .

[hillbillyhellcat]

You could use Fusor panel adhesive to hold them together. There is nothing really to grind.

If your plate matches what the DMV has you for and the plate in reflective and doesn't appear to be altered - then you should have no problem.

[johndanger]

I guess I am just hoping that a cop isn't gonna know that a FAKE 56 plate is fake , why would he care , if he calls the number in its gonna say that its registered to me .

[plan9]

hmm cool... thanks for the info everyone.

the plates are, as far as i know originals off my 56 olds.. eg. black plates, yellow lettering. the front bracket for the plate still has the dealership name, from fremont, ca. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[Rooster]

Here in Ohio the tags had a two letter prefix bfore the number for many years.
Apparently aech prdfix designated the Town the vehicle was registered in.
I'm having exactly ZERO luck finding anybody who can decifer this code, and it's always hard to tell what Is what when you find stacks of old plates at garage salea with different prefixes.

Any other states that did that? I of course have plates from YOM in My town, not the next one over...
Here we hafta have a Pair too. It sucks that I've got ONE yom that I want and the DMV refuses to register "XU 69" as a current vanity tag to place on the back!

[johndanger]

PLAN9 black plates with yellow letters are from 1963 and later , but still cool to have , probably steel too , you might be able to weld 56 tops on those and paint them up like 56s ......

[Paul2748]

You can do want you want with the plates as long as you don't mind having the car towed after they stop you. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

[johndanger]

rooster , make a fiberglass copy of the one you have and paint it up , you could even paint some rust on the edges.

[slacker_53]

I've got '56 California plates on my '53 (they sold you metal tags when you reupped) and '63 California plates on my '23 Bucket that was built in '74.

I've logged plenty of miles with them on the car. I carry the REAL plates with me, all they could site me for is improper display or inproper registration.

The cops that know it, haven't stopped me yet. I'll probably get it this summer, now that I've said all this.

We're going to 'Back to the Fifties' this summer, thats a 400 mile haul for us. Guess we'll press our luck.

If you play by the rules, what fun would that be?? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Fkatheads forever!! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[DrJ]

Plan9.
In CA, if the car and plates are out of the computer you can go through the process which is basically using the old plate as a personalized "vanity plate" and they will charge you the hefty vanity plate surcharge each and every year.
personally, I detest license plates and the government/gang that charges us for the so-called "privelidge" of registering them every year so I'll be damned if I'm going to give them even more money every year after costing them nothing to make new/old plates.
Year of manufacture plates belong on restored original stock cars.
Year of style of the hotrod plates belong on hotrods, so if it's a '57 style hotrod with Fiesta hubcaps and a 324" Rocket engine it should have '56 black on goldenrod plates. (in California anyway)

[slacker_53]

I know, I know, what the hell IS a fkathead?

Flatheads forever!! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[du$ty]

im just gonna title my t as a 57 or 58.and run the plate.

[modernbeat]

My experiences in California? I'd follow every code I could - those cops are Nazis! AND - AND - AND even if they don't know the law, they'll pretend to and let the courts sort it out.

But, the way I do it in Texas, make it legal, and get away with, legaly get your car registered as the year you want. For my '29 that is built to '47 style - I bought a '47 and used parts of the chassis, suspension, and engine to build up my '29. Then, I titled and registered it as a '47 and applied the state provided VIN tag to the door jamb. And THEN swapped the standard plates for YOM '47 plates that were inspected by the state.

The one thing that I did a little on the other side of the law was that I made my license plate by welding a few different plates together and repainting them. My saving grace is that I did it, THEN got them inspected for use before using them.

[caddyman65]

You could always hook up that gizmo that 007 had on that Aston Martin and then when cops get behind you..hit a button and flip the plates..how cool would that be?

[34Fordtk]

My understanding here in NC you have to register your car where you will get a new plate and as long as you have that plate IN your car with you you can run the vintage tag on the back.

[av8]

You might be able to slip your deception past a small-town cop, but pray to God that the CHP doesn't see it. They're well versed in what is and isn't correct and allowable. What you propose to do -- altering a license plate -- is a felony and they will treat it with great seriousness.

[slacker_53]

You guys missed it..........I'm running California plates in Missouri http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Flatheads forever http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[Rooster]

I caught it, didn't think it entirely unusual though, as I see them old CA tags runnin round here too.
Don't know if maybe there's a provision in Ohio's YOM tag code that allows the use of "any" state's tag.
There may be, as YOM is a part of a historical registration here and requires carrying the 'real' tags in the trunk,
while the BMV also has a photocopy and description of the tags being used on file.
I should consider it more, really. Gotta coupla Mulletmobiles I hardly drive anymore.
Always Did like the Michigan and the DC Bicentenial tags!

I hadn't thought to make a copy of my "XU 69" tag, hmmm...

[36-3window]

a friend of mine,who also lives in minnesota has california plates on his `62 belair completely legal..he just registered it in california. i've seen the title,his name,minnesota address on a califronia title.

[AHotRod]

Just got my "1941 Florida" plate registered and approved for my 1941 Willys coupe....

[tommy]

http://fototime.com/{85582E00-0370-4AB4-A744-B4295B90601B}/picture.JPG
This is a phony tag made by the company that advertises in the color pages of Hemmings. The car has legal tags and insurance. The legit tag is mounted on a used car tag magnet. I pop it on on the road and take it off when I get to where I'm going. I have forgotten to put the legit tag on when on the hyway, but have never been stopped. I'm sure there will be a ticket if I'm stopped but I don't think failing to display my legal tags is a felony.

But officer I just forgot... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[TagMan]

[ QUOTE ]
"Apparently aech prdfix designated the Town the vehicle was registered in.
I'm having exactly ZERO luck finding anybody who can decifer this code..."

[/ QUOTE ]

Rooster: PM me and I can decipher the codes for you. I have a book titled "License Plate County Codes of the U.S. & Canada" and can tell you (or anyone else that's interested) what county / town the plates were issued for. I've been collecting, buying & selling plates (tags) for 30 years.

Here in the People's Republic of New York, you can register a car that's 25 years old or older, with original, unaltered plates from the car's year of manufacture. You have to have "Historical" insuurance and the plate number sequence can't be already in use. "Unaltered" includes unpainted, but most everyone I know repaints their plates with the original colors. I've never heard of anyone getting busted for repainted plates......yet!! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

[Fat Hack]

My brother-in-law has YOM plates on his rides. On the 37 Ford pickup it doesn't look TOO bad...but on the 26 T it carries a certain Marty McFly flavor...

"Damn, Doc...where'd ya get that small block Chevy in 1926?" http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I like the idea of era-specific plates on a hot rod or kustom built to the style of that given era, but YOM plates really only look "right" to me on a stock resto or survivor.

(I think it'd be cool to see 1966 or so plates on my bro-in-law's T, but 1926 plates look wrong to me)

I may run 1949 plates on my car if I stumble onto one at a flea market or something, cuz from the outside it'll look pretty much stock...except for lake pipes and maybe some Fiesta caps...a "resto rod" if you will...rusty old car with a more modern drivetrain hidden under it!

But, most likely, I'll just run a current Michigan tag on the car...let it look "barn fresh" and newly registered!

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Paul]

tommy,
I bought one of those too,

supposed to be a 1962 plate.

[tommy]

I know of a local 30-31 highboy roadster running 1958 YOM plates legally. The DMV clerk didn't catch it. I talked to one guy that had a 1932 plate made by these guys with the # 1932 and was able to get them registered. His state only required a picture of the plates.

[LUKESTER]

Run both I do.... I have them both attached to my truck and hinged. Flip the one down, flip the other one up. I certainly don't need to be pulled over because of a licence plate, especially after having ONE or TWO beers at a buddies shop, show etc.... Some of our hotrods, Face it... if we get pulled over its probably jail time...... LUKESTER

[sammyvelvet]

I will tell you how it works for some Cali plates:

I wanted the old plates for my 59 Ranchero .so here is what I had to do as per DMV:

find 2 identical original steel plates.
They were California 1956 year of issue plates(that was the last year of issue plates)
Then I needed to get a 59 tag. (they first issued tags in 57)

then take the plates with the tags on them and fill out some paperwork, then in their high speed way of doing things I got the registration stuff in the mail.

What they sent me was the new month and year tags with two metal tabs. you take the tabs and they fit under the plate on the same bolt holes at the bottom and thats where you put your tags.

The plates you take them must be in readable condition and cleared thur DMV.

I found a couple of guys here in So Cal that will sell you sets with the tags for a fair price.

If anyone wants thier number let me know. these guys collect plates as a hobby ... not like those other guys that buy them to resell at a %1000 mark up.

Sammy

my plates are the yellow background with the black letters.

[Travis]

Sammy Velvet said it perfectly. That's how I got my YOM plates on my 59 Impala, and I am going to do the same thing with the 60 El Camino that I am building. It's funny a little because I have seen 56 plates meant for cars put on 59/60 El Caminos and they are actually supposed to have commercial plates. So... I have a pair of '56 YOM commercial plates and I have a '60 tag that I am going to use on the 60 El Camino. Should be pretty cool...

Travis

[Hellfish]

In IL you can run YOM plates FROM ANY STATE (hear that, Django?) as long as you keep the real, current antique vehicle plates in your car somewhere. I couldn't find anything about having to register the plate numbers anywhere.

I got pulled over for it once and had to explain the law to the cop. He didn't care. He just wanted to talk about his Monte Carlo restoration! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

[modernbeat]

Thought of another method of running whatever plate you wanted - or NO plate if that's your taste.

Most states offer a version of a Trip-Ticket. Sometimes it's good for a single point-to-point trip. Other times it's good for a month or two months.

I wanted to run a Japanese plate on a '71 240Z racecar that was not street legal. I applied for a Texas one-month trip tik. It is a 4 inch by 3 inch paper form that is taped in the back window. I drove the racer to school a few times that month for street (parking lot) races with some other gearheads. Got the fuzzy eyeball, but never got stopped. I guess no headlights, open exaust, plastic windows, full cage, and 24 inch tall numbers on the door let the cop know I was truly insane.

I know of folks in AZ and OR that have done it too. The OR guy just gets one after another and ran Arab, Ausie, Euro, PR, upside down US Govt, and whatever other wierd plate he could find.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

The cops are not Nazis in California about hotrods, really they aren't. I get away with murder and they just give me thumbs up (of course I dont fuck with my plates... why would you? that's what motors are for) . I run new plates on my coupe because they got palm trees on them and I likes palm trees

How many of you guys that join in on the "I hate California" threads are running our plates? That's funny.

[choprods]

Well- I hope Im wrong [and you all are right]- but it could be good for a ticket at the least.

[av8]

Tommy -- Re-read what I wrote. ALTERING a license plate is a felony. Failing to dispaly one is likely to constitute no more than a misdemeanor.

BTW and FWIW, I'm puzzled that you'd have that license plate on your car. Traditionally you folks " . . .don't give a damn how they do it in California." http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[**DONOTDELETE**]

AV8, yeah, funny, everyone hates it here but runs our plates. go figure.

[=mike=]

[ QUOTE ]
The cops are not Nazis in California about hotrods, really they aren't.

[/ QUOTE ]

I have a few friends in Long Beach and Huntington that would disagree with that one . http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif I usually never get any sweat in my heap though , but I think it could be becuase I have been on the road for so long in my hood that all the local bulls know me and know I'm not a bad guy .

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Mike,
i was just talking to my wife about the shindig in San Diego last night... is it still gonna happen?

Dude, the cops up here are super cool. They actually waste my time talking to me about my cars. One of them is building a 29 roadster and pulled me over to invite me over to his house!
Paul (low-n-loud)

[praisethelowered]

www.licenseplates.tv (http://www.licenseplates.tv)

they won't ship one for your state to you in your state- because they are supposed to be for novelty only. I had some black and yellow ones made up to match my (six digit)number and had them shipped to a friend in oregon- then forwarded to me. I went to the DMV and said my reg. sticker was stolen and my month sticker was 40 years old and unreadable. New plates, new stickers. It's a small detail but it makes the car look complete.

[johndanger]

that would be a great way to put together a pair if you had one , too bad they don't do pre 56 california plates , but 150 bucks for a pair of em is kind steep , I might get one that has the same numbers as my new plates , and just put it on the back, thanks for the link.

[296 V8]

This is my plan. Get personalized plates with the same numbers & letters as my black ca plates that are off the dmv computer. Put my black plates on the car and the new ones under the seat just incase.

[Django]

[ QUOTE ]
AV8, yeah, funny, everyone hates it here but runs our plates. go figure.

[/ QUOTE ]

Not me! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[tommy]

[ QUOTE ]
Tommy -- Re-read what I wrote. ALTERING a license plate is a felony. Failing to dispaly one is likely to constitute no more than a misdemeanor.

BTW and FWIW, I'm puzzled that you'd have that license plate on your car. Traditionally you folks " . . .don't give a damn how they do it in California." http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

I understood your comment on altering a plate. My point exactly. I might get a ticket but I don't think they will encarcerate(sp) me. I am still breaking the law. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif It wasn't meant to be a snide remark. I'm sorry if you took it that way.

I'm the proud founder of "Us Folks"(tm). A loose group of bigoted old farts that love the 40's-50's <font color="red">CALIFORNIA </font> style hot rods. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif Besides when I started the coupe, they were still building pastel easter eggs in California. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif