New California Black Plates

[KillerB]

I thought we had a thread about this, but I can't find it. Anyway, the black plates in the Legacy Plate program got the requisite number of preorders, so they went into production.

I wondered how closely they'd resemble the originals, since I knew they'd at least have to use reflectorized yellow paint for the numbers, so I held off preordering. Well, I saw one in the wild last weekend (on a Prius, of all things), and it looked pretty good, so I headed on over to AAA to place an order for the Challenger.

(Pro tip for anyone who relocated to CA - never go to the DMV for something AAA will do for you - which is almost anything but getting your driver's license picture taken. CA DMVs are somewhere between boiling acid and the Human Centipede in the circles of Hell.)

The friendly lady at AAA asked if I wanted to see one of the plates that just came in. When she showed it to me, I was amazed just how closely it resembled the old black plates. The font is a tiny bit off - I feel like CA changed the font a bit when they went to 7-character plates - but the colors are spot-on. I think you'll only be able to tell the yellow is different when headlights shine on it, and "CALIFORNIA" is embossed across the top just like the originals.

It turns out they found the presses to make the plates stored in a big closet in Folsom Prison. :lol:

Anyway, AAA helped me order the plates with the same 4 6 6 4 as on my current plates, and they should arrive in about 12 weeks. Apparently a lot of folks waited until they saw the plates to order - the lady said they've had a lot of people come in and order them.

I'm sure this is likely interesting only to the CA residents and perhaps pl8, but I think it's really cool CA did this when most other states are moving to not even emboss their plates at all. It's a $50 fee but totally worth it, IMO, at least on a retro car like mine.

Only bummer is I have to return the plates that are on the Challenger now.

[thesameguy]

Hmmmmm... I wonder if I should do this for the Fleetwood, or if I should hold off and hope that someday I find an original '67 black plate and get it swapped on via the YOM program...

[Random]

Your front plate fell off, right?

[Random]

ps. they look nice on black FoSTs, that's for sure:

https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/11887900_727512850685944_1922150073613872045_n.jpg ?oh=a15dee1913cb7457d0a8963da01ebd64&oe=5673A10B

[thesameguy]

ANACHRONISM!

[TheBenior]

:up:

[thesameguy]

Hey, is it a $50 fee once, or a $50 annually like vanity plates?

[KillerB]

I forgot to mention - it's a nice touch that the random plates seem to be all six digit, but they really need the center space.

You know, on the fee, I forget to be honest.

[thesameguy]

Near as I can tell, it's one time. I think I am going to order some for the Cadillac. Worst case I scrap them someday when I find YOM plates.

I am tempted to order some for the SPG as it still has a missing front plate that is going to bite me someday, but I want to hold onto that lone sunrise plate as long as possible. :)

[KillerB]

Yes, keep that sunrise plate for sure! I think if they'd offered that as a choice, it would have hit 7,500 preorders as well.

[pl8ster]

Didn't see this the first time around. Some plate collectors and car guys are upset that these are being remade, that they will somehow lessen the value of the 'real' black plates. The new numbering format pretty much takes care of that concern. And the new ones are reflective, which is pretty easy to differentiate when compared to a flat black original...so no worries, the original black plates will still be crazy expensive.

Personally, I'm disappointed that the blue plates didn't get enough support for a remake - those are some of my favorite plates of all time. But since we're talking about CA plates - or were a month and a half ago, at least - I was finally able to add a pair of '84 Olympic plates to my collection, which is cool if you're into that kind of thing :D

[thesameguy]

Yeah, I am bummed about the blue plates too. I guess "the '80s*" haven't reached the point where people are *really* seeking the cars out, much less looking to restore them to period correctness. Could also be that there are still enough blue plate cars in circulation nobody considers them special.

I did see my first road-going black plate car yesterday, an HHR with a vanity plate I already don't remember. :lol:


* Yeah, I know blue plates are from the '70s, but they are mostly associated with '80s cars anyway

[CudaMan]

I saw a new black plate on a new red Civic Si at the autox a few weekends ago. Looked awesome. I had no idea these plates were being made (missed this thread the first time around).

And the new black plates are super easy to differentiate from the old black plates. The old ones are permanently gray/rusty/pale/dirty. :p I imagine the newer ones will hold up better.

This is still my favorite CA plate:
http://www.californiaclassix.com/images3/c430-licenseplate.jpg
http://www.californiaclassix.com/images3/c430-licenseplate.jpg

[Random]

https://scontent-sjc2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtp1/v/t1.0-9/12118839_10207610834939518_5460871954915118492_n.j pg?oh=c820f98d958baf25a4125cb124ee6837&oe=56D384C0

[thesameguy]

In retrospect I wish I would have gotten "167 697 (one '67 697, the body code for the 75) but meh. Whatever.

[pl8ster]

Pretty protective of that LS3 MX5 plate...I hope I don't run into something desirable in a junkyard with those kind of fasteners, because I don't have anything that could remove them. Should probably start carrying a drill bit for metal...

And I'm a huge fan of the Sunset plate, just because it's the rarest of all the general issues - it was an optional plate from 1983 through 1986, and then a general-issue plate for not even all of 1987.

[thesameguy]

Security torx? Get a set!

Edit: Those aren't torx, but if you buy a security bit set, they'll be included. They're pentalobe.

[pl8ster]

Seven bucks at HF!

http://www.harborfreight.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/m/image_21310.jpg

http://www.harborfreight.com/33-pc-security-bit-set-68459.html

[thesameguy]

Yep. :)

Those are the tools TSA let me on the airplane with, while they confiscated my allen wrenches.

[KillerB]

Curious about the LS3 MX5... I'm told the FM Habu kit isn't CA legal because they don't have CARB legal headers that fit. Perhaps that's changed?

[thesameguy]

The new e-rod engine package makes it possible.

[Random]

What he said. ^^ Adds about $3500 to the swap. according to Keith @ FM.

https://www.flyinmiata.com/V8/california/index.php

edit: and, ha! I knew I would catch at least one person's eye with that plate. ;)

[KillerB]

Hmm... This may alter future plans.

Still though, minimum of $53,500 plus the car... Yikes.

[Random]

A *really nice* NA's only going to run you, what... $5-6k? ;)

[KillerB]

Boom.

[pl8ster]

pl8ster likes this.

[Phil_SS]

Even I've got a chubby for that one. :up: