California's Black License Plates Are Back In Production
Thanks to California’s Legacy Plate Program, the state’s classic black license plates are back on the presses.
The program, Hemmings Daily writes, was passed in 2012 after Assemblyman Mike Gatto noted the molds used to stamp the black, yellow and blue plates made in separate eras between 1963 and 1982 “were just sitting there in Folsom prison,” per Gatto’s legislative director Aaron Moreno. Moreno adds the molds were found intact once the dust was cleared, paving the way toward reintroduction.
However, the three plates could only be made if each one garnered a minimum of 7,500 pre-orders between January 2013 and December 2014. While the black plates blew away the rest with 20,000 pre-orders to date, the yellow and blue plates only had few thousand each.
When the new plates leave Folsom in the next few weeks, there will be two key differences between the 2015 edition and the originals made between 1963 and 1969: the “63” stamped in the right-corner sticker window will not be there, and the plate overall will be covered in a reflective coating as required by law. Otherwise, it will appear as if stamping never ceased.
Seattle-based writer, blogger, and photographer for many a publication. Born in Louisville. Raised in Kansas. Where I lay my head is home.
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First of all, I think the current trend of states trying to get all artistic with the plates, adding little advertisements to them ("Come to [our state], it's fantastic") is a design abomination. They all ought to go back to plain background, plain letters/numerals, and the state's name clearly identified in block letters, not some weird script. Secondly, I was appalled to see recently the horrible printed plastic things Texas has introduced. Did no one working on this remember that it's both hot and sunny in TX and that these plastic plates will UV-degrade? Plus they just look SO cheesy. When I was a kid, TX plates had a scheme I liked and still do: one year it was white letters on black background, next year black letters on white, and so it alternated year by year. Although in those days, all the plates were due for renewal on the same day (not each month, but one day each year) so the lines at the DMV were really stunning to behold. (And yes you got an entire new set of metal plates every year, not just a little sticker.)
It's nice to see these back. But it seems they've gotten a little too period specific. The only way to replace existing personalized plates is to fill out a form and mail in a check. I guess they only want the true die-hards. -Joe
FYI, from Wikipedia: California Legacy License Plate program offers vehicle owners the opportunity to purchase replicas of California license plates similar to those issued in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. Only the 1960’s plate reached the required 7,500 minimum orders before January 1, 2015, and will be the only one implemented. The 1950’s and 1970’s plates did not achieve the required 7,500 minimum orders. The plates will be issued from late spring through summer 2015. Additional time is required for personalized plates.
Ohio plates are a nightmare...there are at least 3 styles of plates running around, the old red white and blue, the farm scene, and the current ones. For a time, the county name was added as a sticker across the bottom, now the county is indicated by a 2 digit numeric code on a sticker on the bottom corner of the plate. There are so many variations too, universities, fraternal organizations, Lake Erie, etc...it's confusing as hell. I don't mind the black and white Tx plates, didn't know they aren't metal.