The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk License plate question

Hey guys....looking for some input here...

Other then the "cool factor," do original plates add any real value to a classic vehicle? If so, how much value does it really add?

The real value of an old vehicle is the enjoyment it brings you. Trying to do this and that with a mind to raise your profit margin is usually a losing proposition. If you want the tags, go for it. But don't expect to profit from it.

Very good point. It was just a thought I had. Thanks cletis.

I think it's just one of those many little things one should have on the vintage rig TODO list. Modern plates on an old truck just don't look right to me.

Besides compare to the so many other things you plunk your money down for when restoring, going after some nice old plates isn't that expensive.

I agree with both opinions, here, you cannot sell the plates with the vehicle.

Maybe not in every state, but you can in Ohio. My cousin did just that on a 1972 Nova he bought from me.

Not smart to send the plates here with a truck, either. People have had to pay for accidents/repairs after they have sold their vehicle because the plates were still in their name. This even though, there were bills of sale, signed over titles, etc...

So, if the plates don't go with the vehicle, then it really doesn't add any value resale-wise. But, if you like to have 'em for you, for that "cool factor", go for it.

Here in calif, where the OP resides there are personalized plates and YOM (Year Of Manufacturer)plates. Yes personalize plates remain under the ownership of the individual so when the truck is sold the plate is first removed.

The YOM plates become part of the truck and stays with it even through a sales transaction.

Hi all,
I am glad Dan posted this question. I am struggling with the old and new plate issue for the 57. Being that the truck has been in our family since it was new, I have the original registration with the plate number back then. In 1988 when dad (Rod) retired from the county someone gave him personal plates for the truck, "UNKLROD". I had the original plates made by Ray-Ray down in southern California. I really like the look the original plate gives the truck. But, want to keep the UNKLROD in honor of my dad.

In Utah I use my 1950 plates for my truck. The rules state you must have a pair in the original color scheme. They check to make sure know one is using that number letter series and if not you are good to go. They can also be purchased or provided to the future owner with a title/registration change. I love the original plates and get lot's of comments about them since most owners use the antique/horseless carriage plates provided here.

Unklrod, dude sounds like u need to keep those plates!!!

I have a 52 chevy 3100. Not currently in the DMV system... I am almost ready to register the truck. I have one black and yellow plate... Not original..Anyway, I found a guy that will sell me 51 plates with the 52 tabs, DMV clear guaranteed...but he wants $550. For both of them.... I'm stuck!!!!

That's insane for plates, keep looking.

Danhami -

I bought my Florida '54 YOM plate from this guy.

The plate even has the correct weight designation for my truck. Only one plate required in FL.

Yea that's kinda what I was thinking!

Lonnie C, thank you for the link. I will check that out...

Funny thing, here in the Lone Star State that price, while a bunch much, was not unusual for YOM plates if the condition was new. Now that the state is putting an end to folks registering YOM plates soon, sellers of Texas YOM plates are scrambling to get shed of those high dollar plates. LOL

Danhami,
Is this the guy on ebay from Fresno? -ouch!! Wait and let me make a couple contacts for you first. Are you going for COM (commercial) plates or regular yellow/black plates? Actually I wonder if all trucks used plates marked COM such as mine seen below. If so, will DMV insist on this or can a person use a sedan plate.


My truck plates

LonnieC,
Looks like your contact isn't listing any Calif plates. Maybe he has a stash somewhere.

Here in FL the plate has to be original and not refurbished. It must be clear enough that it can be read from a dsitance. We have to send them and our fee to the DMV to have them verified. Once you get one for your truck you have the option of selling it with the truck or not. Also we can use car plates on trucks and vice versa. I was at a show and saw a mobile home plate on a car. I didn't have heart to tell the guy what those letters designated. Our plates run from $20 for rough shape to $50 for good shape - a little more if they are rare like my '53 Dade county where they had to make the plate wider to fit all the numbers on. (This was before they thought of mixing in letters.)

cmayna,
the guy i found is in vacaville ca. i THINK i need commercial plates due to the fact that it is a truck. www.davesclp.com

I have heard of that guy. I thought trucks like ours could infact use sedan plates, but I guess if you want be cool like me then yes don't question it and find some COM plates. I didn't realize that starting in '51 it went back to black w/yellow.

So, being that you are going for some COM plates, you might infact have no choice but to pay his price. Still, tonight I'll call a guy in Napa and see if he has any at a better price.

Craig

>> cmayna -
I didn't check Felix's Calif plates before I posted the link. I checked a few minutes ago and found these on his site ...
http://felix2.com/?ss=California&yy=&tt=

>> Danhami
I did a quick Google search and found these Calif plates:
http://felix2.com/?ss=California&yy=&tt=
http://www.davesclp.com/california.htm
http://www.turnerplates.com/US%20-%20California%2001.html
http://www.classiclicenseplates.com/
http://www.licensepl8s.com/links.html
http://classiclicenseplates.biz/store/page2.html
http://tagdr.com/
http://www.chucksplates.com/?cp=&ss=California

Good stuff Lonnie.

Danhami, just got off the phone with a good local plate guy (bobsplatesandstickers) and said that DMV now insists that sedan plates are only for sedans and COM plates for our trucks. So to be safe you better stay with the idea of going COM. He also knows Dave Hindmann (the link you supplied), who apparently is a good friend of his and highly recommends him since my contact doesn't have any plates. He said the price that Dave is asking is very reasonable. Gulp.

He also recommends that you go out to the Good Guys swap meet this weekend at the Alameda county fairgrounds for he, Dave and others will be there. Maybe you can get Dave to bring the plates you are considering, to look at.

Cheers.

FOUND THIS INFORMATION HELPFUL

ESPECIALLY THIS INFO:

BUT EVEN IF YOU OPT OUT OF THE PROGRAM ... be aware, the old plates do not suddenly become "DMV Clear". They continue to be listed in the DMV system, as a license plate of that year vehicle. So if it was a 56 plate with a 58 sticker, it is listed as a 1958 plate. You can't simply change the sticker and use it on, say, a '59. It can only go to another 1958 vehicle.

Cmayna,
thanks a bunch. i really appreciate the assistance. wow that price is reasonable? "gulp" is an understatement. i guess it comes down to if i am willing to swallow that one or not. i have some thinking to do. Unfortunatly i work weekends so i will not be able to make good guys.

Gmoniz, Good information. thank you.

So what does everyone think? Spend the money or not!?

LonnieC, thanks for the links. i will be sure to look at those this afternoon..

If you are restoring, consider buying a set of restored or NOS plates ($400-$650) if you are making a driver, consider a set of good used plates ($150-$400). Commercial plates are harder to find at a reasonable price.

And most importantly, no matter what the plate seller tells you about them being DMV clear, call DMV yourself to confirm it at 800-777-0133.

Now you owe me a crab sandwich from Fisherman's Warf.

Cmayna, not a problem! i'll have some people from east palo alto drop it off at your house! Hahahahaha

GMONIZ, sounds like you have the right idea. I guess i could call the DMV about the plate i already have...if its not taken, i could have a duplicate made for the front...go that route. probably cheaper in the long run. Although my truck is a driver, its not ALL original, therefore i'm not really adding much by putting on plates from 1952.

Can't use duplicate plates in California or for anywhere else to my knowledge. If the ones you have are in decent shape, clean them up and put a little pledge on them. Shiny plates usually get through the first time.

Yea i'll need to call and check on the plate i have. The Vehicle has not been registered since the 70's. hoping im good

What color or year plate do you have? Call to see if it is infact DMV cleared. But the problem is that you only have one plate.

If it's a modern plate, I personally wouldn't bother in using it. But that's just me. I'd save my pennies and get some decent period correct plates

Black with yellow.....sounds like I'll be calling tomorrow!

I have a 1953 3600 in NC. Here, we have a great online site where you can get an instant preview to see if what you want is available. For example, I chose '53 CHEV. But I could have had 3600, MY CHEVY, 3/4 TON, and many, many more. It's fun to play around, and then go down to the DMV and have them order it for $30 a year. Less than 10 cents a day?

Have fun.

Harry