Legacy License Plate Program Bringing Vintage Plates to Cali Cars

Every month we update you on RodAuthority.com about the latest efforts of the Specialty Equipment Market Association regarding legislation and regulations that could affect the automotive hobby. But sometimes there are updates that come up after the monthly SEMA Law & Order release and this month, that means great news for California residents looking to give their classic car a more retro look. Just this week, California Governor Gerry Brown signed a SEMA-supported bill to create the Legacy License Plate Program into law, giving collector car owners in the state a choice of vintage license plates for their vehicles. Who’s says your classic Chevy can’t look like it’s straight off the show room floor?

License plates have changed quite a bit over the years in Califorina, but it will be nice to see more of the vintage plate on classic Chevys in the near future. Images: WorldLicensePlates.com

The Legacy License Plate Program will give California collector car owners the ability to license their vehicles using one of three different license plate styles fashioned after vintage California plates. These styles include black lettering over a yellow background seen in the 1950s, yellow lettering over a black background seen in the 1960s, and yellow lettering over a blue background that was available originally in the 1970s and 80s.

Prior to the creation of the Legacy License Plate Program, California collector car owners were limited to well-maintained vintage plates that matched the era of their vehicle or new license plates.

The new program will not only allow for more variety in license plate choices, it will also give collector car owners the ability to maintain a strict vintage look on their vehicles if they so choose.

If you’d like to get your hands on one of these vintage plates, they can be ordered through the DMV. The law requires that a minimum of 7,500 applicants for the plates (2,500 for each style) must be received by January 1st, 2015 and only after that minimum number has been met will the plates be produced and issued.