[kblock108]

Anyone know the correct color(s) to restore the 1963 black/yellow license plates. Mine are straight and I would like to save the cash and paint them myself. Anyone know where to get the paint too?

[Late BrakeU2]

Chrome yellow
http://www.webexhibits.org/pigments/.../cryellow.html

[jonathanch]

What is a California Black Plate. I have seen many references to them but never and explanation as to what they are.

[floyd66]

Originally Posted by jonathanch

What is a California Black Plate. I have seen many references to them but never and explanation as to what they are.

Standard issue DMV plate for California from 63-69, hence they were registered on a lot of hot 60s cars. If you kept insurance up to date through the years you could keep the original plates. The real appeal was that they became synonymous with "original California car" i.e. "no rust". Of course this isn't always true but your chances were better than a rust belt car.

Now these are hot plates again since the California DMV is allowing you to register black plates on your 63-69 car.

[MikeMalibu]

The DMV in CA switched plate designs several times since the black plates and you could "upgrade" at no charge. Many peope did this, typically when changing ownership, making the black plates less common over time, even on 60's cars that spent their entire existance in CA. Keeping insurance up to date wasn't a requirement, Tom. If the registration expired or the car was registered "non-operational", then the DMV may, but not always, issue new plates. If I recall correctly, there was a big push by the DMV to switch over to the blue plates and less so when the white plates came out. The cars I bought in the 70's got switched to blue plates by the DMV when I registered the sale. So, a black plate indicates an original sale in CA, possibly consistent registration, and implies less owners. I think that is why a black plate car is desirable for a CA owner, but certainly not the "end-all".

[jonathanch]

Thanks Mike and Tom for the info.
Now I understand why a black plate is such a big deal.

[66 MYSTERY CHEVELLE]

Close up of my Black Plate is seen on my web page under exterior shots.

[Bill Rose]

I thought 1968 was the last year for California black plates?? Then the blue started??

[Late BrakeU2]

Originally Posted by MikeMalibu

a black plate indicates an original sale in CA

For the majority yes,but hundreds of thousands of people moved here between 63-69,and their vehicles would have received black plates upon registering them in state anytime during that period. The black base have always had a mystique- they are a badge of honor because just about every buff mag testing new performance cars had black MFG or dealer plates(if not they were Michigan )in the article..

The blue base were officially introduced in June of 1970,but quite few 69 MY cars had them originally because they sat on lots well into that calendar year. The black plates encountered attrition over the years due to various reasons- theft, damage,expired reg, etc. They were relplaced by whatever vintage plate was current at the time.

The big reason why they don't (didn't) like them is they are not reflective like the current white base versions have been since 1980. Of course the state is broke now , to generate revenue they have included them in the YOM program starting July 1st, so the people who have been painting their white base seven digit plates black for the last twenty years can legally have them-

[1970ElCamino]

No Bill. I believe around January of 1970 is when they started with blue/gold plates. I have a 10D 1970 El Camino with its original black/gold plates.

[MikeMalibu]

Originally Posted by Late BrakeU2

For the majority yes,but hundreds of thousands of people moved here between 63-69,and their vehicles would have received black plates upon registering them in state anytime during that period. -

Yes, that is correct ....I forgot about the transfer registrations.

[Late BrakeU2]

Originally Posted by 1970ElCamino

No Bill. I believe around January of 1970 is when they started with blue/gold plates. I have a 10D 1970 El Camino with its original black/gold plates.

The black base commercial plates are a bit of an anamoly,in that they were issued to most all 1970,and even some 1971 model year vehicles. I have a couple of friends with all original 71 Elco's that still retain them. DMV must have had quite a surplus,and regional branches issued them until they were exhausted..

[Bill Rose]

Was there such a thing as personalized black plates, like SS-396 for example??

[1970ElCamino]

You may be right, Mark.

I don't think there were personalized/vanity black/gold plates back then, Bill. I think they started making vanity plates 08/01/1970. I guess it may have been possible.

[GenPac]

Thread related question... is there any market for California black plates?