Classic License Plate

[Sparky73]

Well after picking up my new cars (parts car) I found something that made my day for sure. I found the original plate, dated for 1971, for my "Turbo GT"!!! It sucks for the fact that I just got a vanity plate made, but this may definItley be something I put on the car after it is all done and fixed up! So my one question is, is there any companies that can refinish or restore a classic plate? It isnt horrible, but is somewhat bent, and the paint isn't the best. Also.. the colors are weird.. they are dark red with white lettering.

I was reading an article about restoring your own plate, and it said you can basically paint them whatever color you would like. Is this true?

Any input greatly appreciated!
-Jon

[73Manta72gt]

google search or go to a large car show. I have seen a few guys at Charlotte Autofair that sell repainted or original plates. In NC we can put plates from the year of manufacture on the car if it's 35 years old and if the registered plates are kept inside the car.

[Lindsay]

Eastwood Company: Auto Tools, Body Repair, Classic Car Restoration, House of Kolor Paint, Powder Coating
13116 Mini Anvil And Trim Hammer Set $26.99

Awhile back, I bent the front license plate on the GT. Used this anvil & trim hammer to lightly hammer back to normal. Top of license plate is still primer color, but need to paint blue to match blue plate with yellow letters for Calif. Plate does not have newer reflective colors, so I should be able to blend or restore the plate.

[jvandyke]

Originally Posted by Sparky73 Well after picking up my new cars (parts car) I found something that made my day for sure. I found the original plate, dated for 1971, for my "Turbo GT"!!! It sucks for the fact that I just got a vanity plate made, but this may definatley be something I put on the car after it is all done and fixed up! -Jon

Cool. You'd have to settle for putting it up front though. I've been told that to use vintage plates in Michigan (where the year of plate is the same as car's model year) you need BOTH matching plates. You can still buy sets at swap meets and stuff. Cool thing is if you reigister your car this way, it's a one time reg. fee and no limits on mileage like with historical.

[baronbors]

Originally Posted by jvandyke Cool. I've been told that to use vintage plates in Michigan (where the year of plate is the same as car's model year) you need BOTH matching plates.

In Texas, you can get away with just one in the back

[tekenaar]

Originally Posted by baronbors In Texas, you can get away with just one in the back

While you may be able to get away with just mounting one in the back after registration, TXDOT requires you to have BOTH "same year" original plates in good condition at the time of registration as either "antique" or "classic". They photocopy the plates to send to Austin and "antique" registration costs $50 for 5-years, but has mileage and use restrictions. I got my "matching year" plates off the I-net, my first set, oddly enough, from a guy up in Canada . . . go figure!

[Sparky73]

Eh even if it's going to be too much of a hassle.. or if I cannot do it because of needing matching plates, since Michigan doesn't require a front matching plate, I could always just repaint it myself and use it as more of a "decorative" plate in the front. That way it still has some originality as well as keeping it legal

[jvandyke]

Even though Michigan only requires a rear plate, you need to present the two matching plates to prove the other isn't in use by someone else (I'm told).
The D.O.T. won't volunteer this info but if you look at the plates of cars at car shows, the vast majority are running plates from their model year. I'm told, one time registration (instead of $60 a year or whatever).
Can be found for sale at swap meets (I'm told) for about $20 a set.
I went historical because I didn't know this at the time and my insurance carrier doesn't care. (Hagerty).

[Dan-MI]

The way I understood it, in Michigan, you had to keep the plates the same colors as they were originally issued. You couldn't repaint them, for example, blue and white if they weren't that way originally. They do let you drive the car whenever and wherever you want, just like regular plates. Michigan historical plates, on the other hand, are good for 10 years, but you aren't supposed to drive the car except to/from shows, in parades, that type of thing. They aren't supposed to be used for general driving. Plates from the original year do not have any of those restrictions.

[opel kid]

Originally Posted by baronbors In Texas, you can get away with just one in the back

it's the same way in Alabama too.

[crliwa]

I don't always follow the letter of the law and therefore still use the UK plates that Malcolm sent over on the car. The legal NY plates are kept inside the car in case I get stopped.

[baronbors]

Originally Posted by crliwa I don't always follow the letter of the law and therefore still use the UK plates that Malcolm sent over on the car. The legal NY plates are kept inside the car in case I get stopped.

How often do you get stopped with the european plates on the car?

[Lindsay]

Southern Calif. has several red light traffic signals with photo cameras. City wants a picture of your front license plate if you run the red light.

How many owners have taken off their front license plate in Calif.?