Bringing back California's black plates could add millions to the state's coffers, helping solve its budget crunch.
During the current recession, many states share California's daunting challenge to stay afloat financially. Bringing back historic license plates as extra-cost options for motorists could effortlessly add millions to state coffers.
Since I live in California, I'll use this state as an example.
The state DMV makes eleven different "Special Interest" license plates available at present. Drivers pay a premium to buy plates that show their support for various causes and a percentage of the added fee is donated to aid the arts, veterans' groups, firemen, Yosemite, etc.
A new "Historic" plate program could be added to the existent special interest plate selections with the "special interest" being the state of California itself. The 1956-62 gold plates and the 1963-69 black plates would be a great first offering.
California already has regulations in place that allow owners of classic cars to register and use vintage plates on their cars. But this new program would fundamentally differ in that the plates would be freshly manufactured and legal to use on any car, old or new.
There's a huge reservoir of good will and nostalgia for the times these plates represent. These new plates would look smart on new cars. And the costs of administering the program would be minimal.
Six of California's current eleven "Special Interest" lincense plates.
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Golden plates were standard from 1956-62.
Here's an email I sent to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
I'm a Los Angeles based automotive writer for print and online. You can see my blog posts at http://www.examiner.com/x-6882-Classic-Autos-Examiner. I will have an automotive book published by Taschen next year, www.cartopia.us . I state this background to establish my area of expertise.
As a professional California car buff, I have been struck by the affection that car fans (and our state has many) have for the classic California 1956-62 gold plates and 1963-69 black plates.
My proposal is that the California DMV re-introduce the legendary, historic black and gold plates as an extra cost option for motorists. With the proper promotion, this could effortlessly raise funds for our state when it needs such creative thinking most.
I would be happy to discuss this and help in implementing it in any way I can.
Thank you for your attention to this email.
Comments
Brilliant idea. I will contact him now!
Not so good. Guys like these black plates because they are considered "proof" the car was originally sold in California. Remove that quality from the black plates, and they are just another vanity plate.
"C"
I understand the current status of these plates to vintage car collectors. And you're right, it would diminish the value of the old vintage plates. But at the same time, it would make this cool looking plate available to all California residents and add millions to the state treasury when we desperately need it. Everything's a trade-off!
California is unique among states since the plates stay with the car rather than the owner. I understand where "C" is coming from. There is something special about seeing an old car with the same plates it has had for 30 or 40 years.
I think that rather than allowing someone to put old-style plates on a new car, California should extend the "year-of-model" plates to cover the black plates and blue plates. In a few years, maybe they would allow the "Golden State" plates. Of course much of the money goes to the people selling the old original plates. The state, of course, collects a fee.
If the state really wants the money and is going re-issue the old-style plates, they should allow it only for historic vehicles. It would also give the state of California control of the YOM plate market. I don't think they should just let any car drive around with a black plate or blue plate.
Yes! Yes! Yes! I just bought a 1965 Lincoln Continetal in AZ. It was originally a CA car until 1985 when it was moved to AZ. I would LOVE to get the original plates reissued to the car if I can find out what the letter/number combination was and the original plates aren't registered to another car. Terrific idea! I've always thought the black plates look great on any car old or new.
Great idea....but I sure wish the State would crack down on people driving with outdated plates. I travel the CA roads daily...stuck in traffic on the 91 most days, and on any given day you can see 5-8 cars with outdated plates...or at least the current sticker has not been applied. I'm not talking just a month or two outdated...sometimes years. Car in front of me a couple of days ago had a 2004 sticker on the car. Ten minutes later there was a 2006 sticker. Lots of cars still show a early 2009 sticker. What's up with that???
nice
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