License plate, restore or not?

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

There are those who follow the crowd, and others who make their own rules, They are called ANARCHISTS!!
We have a GREAT crowd of them here!! Of all the things Chief taught me, the best one was, "Bill, always be an independent thinker!"-----Bill W.

[c125bob]

Dave I guess a sense of humor gene comes with the Model A gene. I've been restoring and showing antique tractors and engines for years. I get my "points and judging" fix there.

I'd never make a hotrod out of the A or take it way far from "original". I do have an alternator and overdrive so I can drive it (lots) and spread the love of the A model.

I really like this forum and appreciate the different views of the members. Most of all everybody seems to respect each other and have a sense of humor. This is a great hobby with great folks !

[Barry B./ Ma.]

I touched up the white numbers on mine and sprayed the whole plate with matte clear Krylon. Came out good and looks pretty authentic.

[dean from bozeman]

If I had to make the decision, I would use the plate until I find a "less original" one to restore. Then use the restored one on my restored vehicle and sell the original one to someone who has an original car. It is extremely difficult to find useable original plates.

[V4F]

my '31 ca plate is worse than yours appears . i just run it & dont worry as my car is old also . i dont run a front plate but i keep it under the floor mat . POW front plate . never been bothered or had any desire to have my plates redone . just a model "A" thing ..........

[Forddraggin]

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I would leave it like it is.i restored the one on my coupe and regret it now.

[C26Pinelake]

If it was the original plate that came with the car I would keep it the way it is. If not what are you losing ?? The rest of the car has likely been repaired or repainted so get it renewed. I did and I am very happy I did !

[Chris in WNC]

I like the patina.
we have a restored plate on our restored Town Sedan (yawn...)
and an original plate on the unrestored Coupe (much prettier...)

[jiffy]

I have been into Model's for 27 years and the most looked at cars at any tour will be the original un-touched and your un-touched license plate will attract more attenrion than a restored one.

[socalplanedoc]

I found a couple of original ''30 California plates...




DMV looked them up in a big-ol book to get dimensions and colors - verified they were correct. Then the photocopied them, filled out a form, and entered a bunch of stuff into the computer. They Faxed the whole package to the capitol for approval. Told me I would get a new title in the mail with either the new(old) number which would indicate approval, or with the original number and a reason.
What surprised me was the effort they put into it. It was an out-of-the-ordinary request for them and instead of being annoyed, they actually put a lot of effort into getting it through the system.
The plates are nice enough that I'm not going to do anything but bolt them on.
If they get denyed I have a "plan B". I'll get vanity plates with the same number (which can be done on-line) and when they come, the new ones will go in the closet.

[c125bob]

Those Cali plates are awsome ! Great find for sure ! Mine aren't the actual plate for the car but I think I'm gonna leave it as is and run it If my coupe was "perfect" I'd consider refurbishing the plate. I will shoot some clear coat on it when I clean it a little more and let it ride. Down the road I can always restore it if I decide to. Thanks for the opinions and comments !

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by c125bob

Those Cali plates are awsome ! Great find for sure ! Mine aren't the actual plate for the car but I think I'm gonna leave it as is and run it If my coupe was "perfect" I'd consider refurbishing the plate. I will shoot some clear coat on it when I clean it a little more and let it ride. Down the road I can always restore it if I decide to. Thanks for the opinions and comments !

I wouldn't clear coat them, but just spray some WD-40 on them a couple times a year to hold off the rust.

[c125bob]

Tom, I'll take your advice. It's gonna get some WD 40 today.

[Boston Bruce]

Originally Posted by mass A man

Massachusetts is one of those states that require only an original plate (YOM), not repainted, but has to be in "good repair".

They are trying to get that part of the Mass. YOM law changed.

[400A-64]

In Calif. '30 plates were over produced because of the depression... you can find NOS un-used plates stilll in the DMV wrapper occasionly. I've seen them at the Turlock Swap meet from time to time. '31 plates are a different story.... there production were adjusted much lower....so , harder to find.
Bruce Davis [email protected] or [email protected]

[CarlG]

In looking at the CA plates in post #31, it's interesting that there are extra holes punched in the center of the plate.

What is even more interesting is that I just bought a pair of TX commercial plates for my PU and they have extra holes in almost the same place. The ones in my plate, however, look like they were punched from the rear by a nail rather than the "drilled" look on the CA plates.

I can't use these for YOM plates anyway since I'm in Alaska, but they were a nice set of plates just to have for parades, etc.

[Great Lakes Greg]

I guess I vote for origional. Mine hung on a nail in a hay barn for generations. Who am I to "fix it" now?