On a Title. Ever heard of a tab number?

I have the 1975 State of CA issued title for my 55 2nd Blue Chip suburban carryall. It states the engine ID number, which the truck no longer has that motor. It states the tag #, which is on the truck, and it lists a tab #? What is a tab Number? the number is H8565793 if that helps. Of course it also lists the truck as a STAWAG. Go figure. I just want to get my ducks in a row before getting the "Vin inspection".

Quote

METAL TABS 1942-1955. Until 1941, new license plates were issued yearly, and every vehicle got a new pair of plates every year. Shortage of metal in World War II led to keeping the same the license plates and issuing only a year tab to renew. (1942 used a metal strip that covered the entire top of the plate, 1943 used a V for Victory tab, and 1944 used only a window decal.) Most years need two metal tabs, front and rear (1946, 1954 and 1955 being the exceptions, they use only one tab in the rear).

Source: http://reviews.ebay.com/DMV-Clear-C...951-1956-1963-YOM?ugid=10000000000961771

I was running an auto shop in Commiefornia back then. If a vehicle had title problems, a DMV office could assign a number, which was attached to the body or chassis on a tag. ("tab", maybe?) Since it's got windows in the panel truck body, and possibly 2nd. and 3rd. row seats, some state employee probably called it a station wagon. Back then, it was also necessary to get an emission control inspection every year, before renewing the license plates! That was a money-maker for the shop owners who could afford to buy an exhaust gas analyzer and pay the fees to become an "official inspection station"! Later on the smog check was only required when a vehicle changed ownership, and yes, the tag stayed with the vehicle. I'll bet that one's black and yellow, right?
Jerry

Thanks for the information. Perfect.

Yes it is Black and Yellow.

The 1951 California plate was used through 1955 with tabs for the years 1952 - 1955.

See here...

I have a title off of a 1951 suburban and it also states sta wgn on it. The tabs were also stamped with a unique number. I have never seen the DMV hassle someone over the tab number though.

Do you have the original 1951 black and Yellow plate or a 1963 Black and yellow plate? Most likely you have the 1963 issued plate without the tab, unless this was a barn find that sat for 57 years.

Gmoniz, I wouldn't know the difference between the two if I was looking at both of them. The plate on the truck was registered until '92.

Originally Posted by lostin55

I wouldn't know the difference between the two if I was looking at both of them.

The 1963 has a indent for the registration sticker and is smaller in size than the 1951. If it was regisered until 1992 it would have the 1963 plate.

Most likely you have the 1963 plate that was issued to your truck in 1963, it still falls under the YOM program as an original plate and some do want to have these black and Yellow plates on their trucks. Under the YOM program, you cannot find another set of 1963 plates and put them on your 1955 truck, only 1951 plates with the 55 tab are acceptable under this program.

1951 Passenger Plate

1951 Commercial Plate

1955 License Plate Tabs for use with 1951 Plates

1951 California Plates w/55 Tab

1963 California Commercial Plates

1963 Plate Designation

All of these plates fall under YOM (Year of Manufacture) Guidelines and are usable if certain criteria is met. They have become very collectable for those who wish to have the original style plates on their truck or car.

I scraped off the accumulation of stickers and found the stamped "63". You are correct. I really don't want the CA plates as that particular state is not well thought of around here. (Northern WY). My father-in-law resided there and so that is the plates it had when I inherited the truck.