Californians: Black Plate Questions?

[Allen Henderson]

Great information, this list is a great source!

I can't be sure if my plate AAW 534 was originally on my 68 or not. The car is out of state at the moment with out of state plates. The one '63 plate came with the car; it is probably original to it. Especially so, since 68 was the last year Black Plates were issued. I guess I'll find out when I go down to DMV. Unless we have a cooperating DMV Porsche fan lucking Private sources and emails shall remain anonymous. Thanks!

-Allen-

[typ901]

http://www.darrylsplates.com/

i've used darryl's a few times, the quality is great but it takes forever, like 12 weeks.
darryl has the stamps to press new numbers/letters.

i've had a modern CA plate converted to a blue/gold plate, no issues from the police, i don't worry about it.

i used Darryl's ONCE. great quality and frankly i suspect he didn't restore my plate but stamped a new one. took about 3 months after i called the first time. (6 months total) i don't know if he was a victim of his own success or what...
i've heard horror stories about less-than-friendly behavior from a woman answering his phone. i used to have a great guy locally, but he lives in the "toney" part of town & his neighbors ratted him out. there is a good guy in the mid-west (Wisconsin ?) who is reported to do good work, fair price & good turnaround time. i can follow up if anyone's interested.
HTH
jerry

[typ901]

Great information, this list is a great source!

I can't be sure if my plate AAW 534 was originally on my 68 or not. The car is out of state at the moment with out of state plates. The one '63 plate came with the car; it is probably original to it. Especially so, since 68 was the last year Black Plates were issued. I guess I'll find out when I go down to DMV. Unless we have a cooperating DMV Porsche fan lucking Private sources and emails shall remain anonymous. Thanks!

-Allen-

typically plates are assigned in alpha-meric sequence. it's more likely the original plates were toward the end of the run (eg. XYZ 999 vs. ABC 123)
if that makes sense.
best
jerry

[72targa]

Yes, per my earlier comments...

"Black plates lasted in California until ~1969. My Dad's '69 911E had plates that were in the sequence "Zxx ###"."

I would guessimate that a '68 would have plates like "Xxx ###" or "Yxx ###".

Your plates are for a 1963 vehicle (I believe).

[LeafGreen]

The numbering sequence for black/yellow 63 series plates (letters first) is as follows: Y, Z = 1969; W, X = 1968; U, V = 1967; and so on... The blue plates in the 70's are numbers first and begin with 1, 2 for late 1969 & 1970, etc... The YOM term only applies to the yellow/black plates 1956 - 1962 and earlier ones because they were issued the year sticker, or a metal corner tab stamped with the year for plates prior to these. Once the 63 and later plates are off the DMV, you're done - party is over; tailgate is up.

Altering plates is not legal, and I'm not recommending it, but I have seen someone get a new personal plate, have someone stamp the CA lettering on top and the recessed areas for the stickers, paint it black/yellow and be done with it. To be accurate and period correct I would use only six characters.

[Allen Henderson]

Thanks Leaf Green,

One note though, don't think you can use 6 characters, 3 letters and 3 numbers for "vanity plates" these days as DMV is on to it. Thanks.

-Allen-

[sithot]

Here are photos of California Shorty before Shawn bought him and made him "Alaska-Arizona" Shorty. These date back to around 2000-2001.

The car was photographed at the Concorso Italiano.

The owner had a pretty nice looking wife too!

First letter is "U" = 1967

Tom

[boxster03]

Here is a 1970 CA plate, first yr they switched to blue.. I guess plates starting with an A and B were probably the correct sequence for 1970, anyone else with a 70 plate out there.

[LeafGreen]

Allen,

Yeah, that would be too easy; the DMV sure knows how to ruin a good time. I was thinking more like a real vanity plate limited to six characters.

The 70's plate beginning with a 7 is probably one that came around in 73 or so. It seems to be the year the plate was issued rather than the year of the car. I suspect that car was originally sold out of state and brought in to CA around 73 - or stayed in the dealers possession unregistered??

[creator8]

Been through this.

You CANNOT re register original or other black plates on a car.

I had both plates and all relevant docs and a sympathetic DMV that filed appropriate paper work to Sacramento. Got sent back with a short explanation that it won't happen.