Hello Stovebolters. I have a question. It may be a dumb one, but as I was always told " A dumb question is one not asked". I just picked up my 51 SUBURBAN and I would like to register it with YOM plates (1951).
For a suburban would I need to use regular plates or commercial plates? I have asked around locally with no definate answer.
Thanks in advanced for your help and advice. Javier
Since you asked about YOM plates, the reason you don't get a definitive answer is because at that time in California it depended on how the vehicle was used. You could be fined for carrying anything other than people in a station wagon unless you had commercial plates. A little like today with pickups in California, where if you have a self contained camper mounted, you can run car plates, otherwise you must run commercial.
Originally posted by Baldy: Since you asked about YOM plates, the reason you don't get a definitive answer is because at that time in California it depended on how the vehicle was used. You could be fined for carrying anything other than people in a station wagon unless you had commercial plates. A little like today with pickups in California, where if you have a self contained camper mounted, you can run car plates, otherwise you must run commercial.
Baldy, I tried last night to find the info in the DMV files with no luck. I have seen commercial and regular car plates on suburbans. My understanding is either are acceptable and that there is a set fee for using them. They virtually become vanity plates and if your Suburban is already registered as commercial I would assume that they would charge the commercial rate and visa versa with the car plates. I intend to use the commercial plates on mine. Most of the older Suburbans on the road today are used to carry passengers instead of commercial loads, so car plates are the norm. I don't think that you will be fined for carrying something other than people with car plates. But before anyone buys plates, check with your local DMV first.
Originally posted by Baldy: I was informing Javier what the rules were for station wagons in 1951, not today. I thought he wanted the plates to be authentic for YOM.
Baldy, I am agreeing with you. I have discussed this one with lic. plate dealers and they are just as confused as most everyone else. In 1951 were the carryall/Suburban's classified as a station wagon?
My most recent plate on a 1948 GMC Suburban is a car plate and it is registered as an automobile. But I think that is because it was recently put on DMV's registration list and I do not think DMV knows what it is. I also have an old registration that dates back to 1986 and it shows a passenger lic plate too. Both registrations are different in what is typed on them ie: class (AN) for the 1951 and (AD) For the 1948 Both have the same type license (11). Type veh (12S for the 51 and 120 for the 48) The 48 MO is (MW) And the 51 MO is (TE)
I have seen older pictures of Suburbans with the early plates of their time and most of them were of the commercial type. All of the panel pictures that I have seen had commercial plates too.
If you want to be authentic I believe either plate will do.
The bottom line for me is I don't know the definitives answer to the question on which plate is authentic. I have asked many people and have received many answers. We may have to find out the judging rules from one of the clubs who have researched this. I am not going to rely on the information from DMV regarding authenticity either. They just don't have a clue when it comes to old cars, just what they read on their computer screens.
well,,,a nice pair of '51 commercial plates goes for around 500.00. the same car plates go for abt. 250-300.00. thats from the dealers. you may want to let that be your guide.
"If it ain't Steel it ain't Real" "Earth the insane aslyum for the rest of the Universe" 41 1/2-ton, a work in progress 68 Shortbed stepside 327/325hp/700R4
Hey guys, Thanks for all the replies. I guess I am not the only one alone in this cunfusion. I do have a nice set of 51 plates and I will run them on my suburban. So now I will be shopping around for commercial plates for my 53 truck. If anybody has any or know of any let me know. They don't have to be nice. Once again thanks, and if you or anyone else have other info please let us know.
Turlock Swap Meet next month will have several plate vendors (bring a fat wallet) or shop around for a better deal. Worst part of this deal is getting through DMV's staff that will not help you. Good luck on the plates.
Originally posted by RaNfLaS: Hey guys, Thanks for all the replies. I guess I am not the only one alone in this cunfusion. I do have a nice set of 51 plates and I will run them on my suburban. So now I will be shopping around for commercial plates for my 53 truck. If anybody has any or know of any let me know. They don't have to be nice. Once again thanks, and if you or anyone else have other info please let us know.
Ya, I'll be looking for those also at the Turlock Swap. I do have the 51 plates for my 51 Suburban. What I need now is set of commercial plates for my 53 truck.
I have a 51 commercial plate in fair shape, but DMV needs to see two plates in order to register it to my truck. I guess I'll have to hang it on my wall.
I do have the regular 51 plates, like the one above. I will use them on my 51 suburban. I have not found commercial plates for my 53 truck yet. I also need to find the 53 corner tabs.
A good sourse of info was sent to me by 41chevy (scroll up and click on the link)
Hopefully I will run into something at the Turlock swap meet (jan 27th-28th).
Hey guy's, I finally did the DMV thing with the 51 YOM plates. It was a breeze. The only thing was the DMV employee had no clue of the type of plate it was. I actually explained to them the difference between the regular vehichle plates and the commercial plates. From there source (the book and the computer) there was no commercial plates issued in 1951??? They again stated that the regular plates that I have are commercial plates based on the first digits of the plates. I told them I would bring them a commercial plate for them to see. C O ='s COMMERCIAL M
But after all that, I am now on the 30 day or so, count down to get my paperwork (tags) in the mail.
Has anyone ever had plates restored. My plates just need new paint, but I would like for them to be as original as possible. Any recommendations. Thanks Javier
Hi Javier, if your plates just need repainting,,,try a pinstriper guy. They'll freehand the letters/numbers and you wont have the edge left from masking tape. Theyre also pretty good at mixing colors to what you need. Good Luck,Marty
The computer and books may not go back beyond the three numbers and three letters series and would probably show anything not having a number followed by three letters as a comercial plate, but that's just a guess.
I media blasted and straightend mine, painted the background and the back and tried to roll paint on, as was done originally. After cleaning up the mess, I tried to hand paint the letters. After cleaning up the mess again, I tried to tape the letters and paint them. After cleaning up the mess once again, I took it to a sign painter and was pleased with the results and had no mess to clean up.
There's an old guy here in Iowa that restores, repaints old license plates. They did a news story about him on TV a little while back. If you're interested, I can try to find the info.
I couldn't find the news story that I was thinking of, but if you do a Google search for "license plate restoration" you will find a plethora of people that do this kind of work.
Wow!,DMV surprised me today. I recieved my registration, tags and the the two metal plates for the tags. It did'nt take as long as I thought it would (just under two weeks)
I think the metal plates for the tags are little big. Has anyone done something different with them? I was thinking of cutting them to make them just a bit bigger than the tags and maybe powdercoating them black?
Also, do put them to the top or bottom? Or it does'nt matter.
When i got mine,,they gave me one metal tag and a special sticker. They called it a PYR sticker. It has both the month and year on one little sticker. You see them on diesel big rigs too. I put mine on top of the plate,,just under the license plate light. Kind of a tight fit. Marty
Marty, What does PYR mean? What I got was two PYR stickers. One with the year and the other with the month. I wonder if I could have them switch them to a single tag like yours? I'm goona give it try.
PYR means Partial Year Regristration - a color change sticker
only for the state of californy
Jim & Caroline The highway is for gamblers, better use your good sense." Gooday-that's my 1¢ answer due to the lousy economy ~ cause I ain't got - no . mo . doe Every Shaver | Now Can Snore | Six More Minutes | Than Before ... | Half A Pound for Half a Dollar | Spread On Thin | Above the Collar || BURMA-SHAVE
It sounds like license plates in Texas are a lot cheaper. I bought my 55 plates at the Decatur meet a couple of years ago for $35. I bought my 53 plates last month in Fort Worth for $40.
So, if you want to either send your trucks to Texas or move here. We like old trucks. We are also geared for Mexican food and everyone loves Mexican food.
Salud. And Buen Provecho
Dennis -there is nothing stronger than the heart of a volunteer-
