Vintage license plates to hit the streets soon as DMV begins production

By Jennifer Velez

Published Jun 22, 2015 7:24 PM

California's legacy license plate program would allow motorists to order plates from the 1950s, '60s and '70s if there are enough preorders by Jan. 1, 2015. The classic black-and-yellow plate from the '60s has reached the threshold of 7,500 preorders. Now the department is gearing up to process orders and begin manufacturing.

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California roads will soon be flashed back to the 1960s thanks to roughly 7,500 vintage car enthusiasts who ordered black and yellow license plates before Jan. 1 under the California Legacy License Plate program.

According to an announcement made Monday, production of the plates is in progress and drivers could see their plates in two to three weeks. State Assemblyman Mike Gatto created the program as a way to help motorists wanting to keep the classic car spirit alive.

"There's a lot of people of course in the state who have really fond memories of the California cars during the classic car era," State Assemblyman Gatto said. "The problem is if you completely restore that 1964 Mustang and you have done everything to it and you want it to look as period accurate as possible, you would still have to put on it a white plate with 7 digits."

Motorists had the opportunity to order other plates from eras like the 1950s and 1970s, but Gatto said there was just not enough interest in those.

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The plates to be issued, which spanned between 1963-1969, are not 100% like the originals -- all modern license plates have to be reflectorized so that means these vintage look-a-like plates will have to undergo modernization and drivers can still opt for a 7-digit plate.

Despite these differences, Gatto felt strongly about gifting vintage car lovers, who often undergo many vehicle regulations.

"There's really nothing that's ever done for this demographic, we thought this would be a nice way to do something that was a nice gesture by the government to the people that restore and preserve our unique automotive heritage."

The DMV is currently accepting orders for the license plates, which can be bought by anyone regardless of car model or year, online, at a field office or via mail for $50.