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MG TD TF 1500 - California License Plates

I have a dilemma that I'm hoping a fellow Californian can help me with. When I bought my '54 TF there was a pair of the old black and yellow plates mounted to it.I thought I would use them on the car once I take it off of a PNO status so I asked the DMV if I can use the plates assigned and was granted permission to do so. So, I sent the plates out to be restored and when I got them back checked the title and found that number of the plates I have do not match the plate number on the title! I assumed that those were the plates assigned to the car but apparently were not. I don't have the plates with the number on the title. So, I want to check and see if the plates I had restored are clear so I can pay the DMV fees and use them. Years ago there was a web site I was able to access to check to see if DMV issued plates were available or if they were in use. I can't remember the website address. Can anyone help me out so I can start the DMV dance to get them transferred to my car, if available? I assume they are because I have them in hand. But you never know! Thanks, Lou
L Staller

Lou,

If the state won't let you use them you may want to use the Hide-Away plate device. Put your Black/Yellow plates on the cars factory bracket and the California approved plate on the Hide-away device. If you don't want it to be seen just keep it folded up under the bumper. See a cop coming up behind you, hit the button.

The first time I get busted for running my California plates I will be adding this to my car. My two cop buddies said they have more important things to do than bust an old fart (me) for a license plate offense.

Here's an EBAY link for one:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Roush-Electric-Hide-Away-Power-Retractable-License-Plate-Remote-Controls-/310773264856?hash=item485b87b1d8&vxp=mtr

Dan
Daniel Nordstrom

HI Lou

I am about to change to the CA black plate and have done some research on it.

You can use any license plate that was used when your car was manufactured. The catch is the plate has to be one that was in use during the year of manufacturer and it has to have the year sticker for the year of the car.

Here is a web that goes over it.

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/?1dmy&urile=wcm:path:/dmv_content_en/dmv/pubs/reg_hdbk/ch21/ch21_36

So for your 54. You would need the black and yellow plate that was used from 1947 to 1955. You would also need the metal plate that goes in the right lower part of the plate that says 1954. ( your lucky, the metal year plates are not to hard to find. On mine I had to have the 1967 sticker. Luckily, I was able to peel off all the old stickers and found the 1967 sticker.

You will need to take the plates into the DMV. They will check them and assure the number is good. If ok, they will change your title to match the plate.
Bruce TD4139 Cunha

Here is a site with a picture of the correct license plate for the 54

http://www.oldplateguy.com/YOM-Information-for-1947-to-1955-California-Vehicles.html
Bruce TD4139 Cunha

Lou:

Here are the CA DMV's instructions:

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/?1dmy&urile=wcm:path:/dmv_content_en/dmv/pubs/reg_hdbk/ch21/ch21_36

You will notice that you may only use YOM plates on the car but there is an exception at the bottom.

You could have also bought a brand new 1960's era plate from the DMV (what everyone calls Black/Yellow plates) and it sounds like you can put these on any year vehicle.

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/legacyplates/faqs

Here is the site that checks if a plate number is available:

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/?1dmy&urile=wcm:path:/dmv_content_en/dmv/portal/ipp2/welcome
Christopher Couper

Wow! Thanks to all for your input. I forgot about the requirement that a plate being used must be from the year of manufacture (YOM).
It looks like I'll be selling the newly restored 1963 plates once I verify that they are clear. But first I'll go to a independent registration company close by to get their input and suggestions because right now I don't have plates for the car. Unless I can find someone that reproduces plates with my documentation of ownership. Hum...
L Staller

Lou You should be able to register to the 1963 black and yellow plates. All cars were issued the '63 plates and forfeited their previous ones in '63. You only need to have a 1963 sticker affixed to the plate and check to see the plate number is clear at DMV

Cheers

Bill Chasser jr
TD4834
W. A. Chasser Jr

Hi Bill, That would explain why the black and yellow plates were on the car when I bought it. But wouldn't they have changed the plate number on the title? I hope to find out tomorrow when I go to the registration company.
Thanks.
L Staller

You would need proof that those plates were at one time assigned to that particular car. You can't take just any 60's plate and put it on a on-60's vehicle. I'm going through this with my '39 which has had 60's plates on it since it was last run in 1967. But it's long since out of the DMV computers so I have to prove they were with it before.
Steve Simmons

I will be interested in what you find out. While they did change the plates in 63, I was under the impression that to use the YOM plate law, they had to be the plate issues when the car was new.

I know CA has their Legacy plates. Black and yellow 63 style that are brand new. You can put those on the 54.

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/legacyplates/index

Bruce TD4139 Cunha

If you look at the top link I posted above he CAN use his restored 60's plates on his TF but he would have to prove (old registration) that they were once used on his car and the number (see bottom link) is still available.

At this point it would be easier to just by the Legacy plates and be done with it in my opinion. (second link)

Note the CA DMV was going to make 50's, 60's and 70's Legacy plates but only the 60's era generated enough interest so they dropped the other decades.

I have a pair of pristine 51 plates with matching dual 52 registration tags but cannot register them because some clunker has a newer plate with the same number active.

Some day that car MUST DIE.
Christopher Couper

Hmmm I didn't think DMV actually re issued numbers. I thought it was because some one made a repro plate. It is one of the reasons I'm leery about purchasing plates at a swap meet from a vender. I would like to find a set of 1950 CA plates for mine. I think it is strange DMV requires the car to be registered to those plates specifically after 1963. If they have been out of the system, meaning not registered for over 7 yrs I don't see the harm as long as the number is inactive currently on another vehicle as in your situation with the 1950 plates. What also comes tomind that if the metal annual reg tags must be affixed to the vintage plate when applicable what is to be done with the current sticker. I would likely make another tag to mount the mo/yr tags but I certainly would not affix them directly to a $700 set of plates
W. A. Chasser Jr

Look at this site. http://www.licenseplates.tv/ they will make a plate for any state any year with what ever numbers you want on it. Why not order one that matches the title? Several in my car club have used their service. Now that I have moved to N.C from Illinois, I will sell my '51 Illinois plate and order a NC plate from these people.
Bob McLeod TD 5618

Bill: Only one plate, no matter what vintage, can have the same number in the system it appears. I guess this is not to confuse the CHP.

You have three options for plates as I read it:

1. YOM and you must have both metal tags - I bet nobody in the DMV would know you need two so I would be willing to bet you can get by with just the back one. In this case they give you a special metal holder for the new yearly tags - yuck

2. Any year plate that has been on the car before and you can prove it with a old registration showing that number scheme. What Lou wants to do but without proof he is out of luck.

3. A current plate they issued you. You can request any number you want just as long as its unique or let them pick for you. Note the 1960's Legacy plates fit this category too as best as I can tell.
Christopher Couper

Yesterday I went to the independent vehicle registration company that I used to secure DMV documents when I bought my TF. Only after I loaded the car on the trailer did the seller tell me she couldn't find the title or and documentation for the car! So I left with just a bill of sale and the hope that the DMV would issue a title with just that. Off to the AAA for their help but was told they can no longer complete such a transaction. Next I went to the independent company where I was told "no problem at all", and they were right! I completed some paperwork had the seller sign it and handed them a check. The next day they called and told me I can come by and pick up my title! It was really that easy!
So, yesterday when they said I will be able to use the '63 plates on my TF with just a few signed documents I have faith that they're going to pull through again for me. I was told I have to bring them the actual plates I want to use, the small '54 tag/tab that attaches to the bottom right corner and they will take care of getting the plates assigned to my car. They warned that it might take up to 30 days to get the DMV to issue the docs but that's OK because I'm not finished with the car yet anyhow.
So, as soon as I get my hands on the small tag/tab I'll take everything over to them and wait to hear back from them on their success. I'll post updates of my experience as I progress.
By the way the registration company's charge for taking care of this is only $40.00! And I don't have to deal directly with the dreaded DMV. Priceless!
L Staller

Lou: Who is the company? Others might want to benefit from you experience.

63 plates do not have the 54 metal tags that you mention. They have the same type of plastic tag used today. This is for the YOM plates (1951). See picture.

They are supposed to be on both the front and back plates. They have an matching ID stamped in the tags and that is what you got every year when you renewed your registration like we do with the stickers now.

But lets see what they come up with for you after you show them your plates.



Christopher Couper

I'm going to hold off posting the name of the company until we finish the transaction. I'm hopeful but skeptical that we'll get it done. So until I hear back from them with positive info I'll save anyone else grief by possibly getting incorrect information. Stay tuned!
L Staller

As I understand, here in Oklahoma you can display them but not use them for registration, but a special tag sold by the state can be used for antique and classic cars, cost extra of course, but I believe a regular tag must be purchased also. It's all about revenue. PJ
Paul S Jennings

Lou,
I believe that Chris is right, the red metal tag for 1954 does not go on your 1963 plate. You would use current stickers. If you use the larger YOM plate from 1951 with the red metal 1954 tag, you would only need one for the rear plate. The front plate goes without a tag. I have a pristine 1954 tag should you need it. Contact me if interested.
Gary
G Mantey

Yes, he is correct. If using the 60's plates you only need to run the current registration sticker. However, if assigning them to the car through the YOM program, you will need a sticker to match the year of the car, and then display the current sticker on a separate tag. This will not be the case here however, as the 60's plates cannot be assigned to that car through YOM.
Steve Simmons

OK, here's what I was told by the registration company about using the '63 plates on my '54 TF. I could use them if I have documented proof that those specific plates were at one time assigned to my car. Unfortunately I have nothing. When I bought the car the previous owner couldn't find any documents, title, registration, nothing! So my freshly restored '63 plates will be for sale. What I have to do if I want to use a period plate is to purchase 1951 California plates that are cleared by the DMV for use and a 1954 tab that attaches to the lower right corner of the rear plate.
Or of course I could just register the car with the DMV and have them issue new plates, like they do for any other car. That would cost approx $80.00 in fees while buying a '51 plate and '54 tab would cost approx $600.00. So for now I'll keep my eyes open for more reasonable priced '51 plates and tab and meanwhile I'll have the DMV issue new white and blue plates and get the car on the road.
By the way the name of the company is Quick Plates, located in Huntington Beach. 714-965-7500. The owner and most knowledgeable person there is Kelly. She completely understands the DMV requirements and how to get what you want done.
Thanks to all for their input.
L Staller

Don't forget to check the number first with the link I provided before you purchase any plates, otherwise your 600 dollars is for not.

Also, you could be in trouble for only having one of the metal tags. They came in pairs. I suspect nobody in the DMV is alive that knows that but ...

Your other option is to order a Legacy plate (which is the same as your 63 plate) with your numbers. They look identical. Maybe you could park the Legacy plate in the drawer and stick your old plates on the car.
Christopher Couper

Christopher, I've looked over the website you noted to use to see if the plates I have are clear but I can't find were I should enter the plate number. It requires you to select a vanity plate design first but doesn't have a selection to check on existing plates. I did get a DMV phone number to call to check the plates but when I called twice today the wait was
1 hour to 1 1/2 hours!
I think I'll go ahead and apply for legacy plates with my specific number and do as you mentioned, park them in a drawer...
But first I'll get the car off of the PNO and get 'regular' plates for the car because the DMV said delivery of the legacy plates would be during the summer. But you never know with them. This way I'll have plates if the legacy plates are delayed.
Well, I got an education and had some fun.
Lou
L Staller

If your 63 plate is only 6 characters start ordering a plate and then enter your number. It will tell you if its available

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/wasapp/ipp2/processConfigPlate.do
Christopher Couper

The above link depends on the plate type you select. If you select an example that has 7 characters it will check that too.
Christopher Couper

I entered the plate numbers into the site based on a new style white and blue plate and it keep me going all the way to paying ordering and paying for it. I assume it's available otherwise I don't think it would have taken me that far into the ordering process. And if I remember correctly in the past I entered another plate number and it stopped my when I completed entering the number telling me the plate was currently assigned. So, I think I'm good to go. I'll go to the AAA tomorrow and take the car off of the PNO and get a registration and new white and blue plates. I'll then go ahead and order the legacy plates with my specific number and wait for them to arrive. It'll cost me a few extra buck but what hasn't during the car's restoration! Thanks, Lou


L Staller

Lou

At the Dixon British car show this last weekend, there was a company that had plates and stickers and metal tags.

They did have 1954 metal plates and the correct 1951 plates. This was a dealer that does nothing but license plates.

If you would like his information, send me an e-mail.

BTW. what is the first letter of your 63 plates? That gives an idea of what year it was issued.

I might also be interested in these if you put them for sale.
Bruce TD4139 Cunha

Bruce I didn't ask about the '54 plates but he didn't have a pair of the '47-'50 black plates though he did have tags for all the years. The vender next to you had matching pair of '50 tags and I should have bought the tags

Cheers

Bill Chasser jr
TD4834
W. A. Chasser Jr

Bruce, I can't locate your email address so here's mine. Would you please send me the contact info for the vendor that has the '51 plate and the '54 tab. Thanks, Lou
stallerl@socal.rr.com
L Staller

This thread was discussed between 16/05/2015 and 20/05/2015

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