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I have a 63 that I bought originally in CA in 1975. I left the state and gave them up. The car has a build date of Apr-May 1963. Would these Ebay plates satisfy the CA DMV rules as replacement plates- lib
Hey Lib
(Sorry about that name)
I didn't check if those plates are 'DMV clear' but if they are, they would comply since they are 1963-69 series black/yellow plates. But they may not be approved due to one being in poor condition as to paint. More importantly to me would be the fact that being 'Y' series, they are more suited to a car at the end of 63-69 time frame, rather than one at the beginning, like your 63. Most 63 cars in CAL were issued plates with early alphabet series, such as A,B, C, D,E. Cars that received Y series would have been 67,68, and 69.
I don't know about Cali but in NY you can go on the NYSDMV website and search whether a plate is clear.
Extra info:
In our case, for a 1963, the plates can be from (I think) about '58 to '63 but must have a '63 sticker which can be a repro. For 1964 and 65, it's a black NY Worlds Fair plate for the rear only since NYS only issued 1 plate those years. 1965 needs the red '65 renewal sticker. 1966 and 67 use plates from 1966 to 1973 with the proper year sticker.
I would suggest calling DMV and ask them to check the plates if they are clear before purchasing. The person on the phone is able to check the plates.
If they are clear, you just need to get them registered using the YOM forms and pay application and annual YOM fees. I recall 63 don't need a 63 (year) sticker.
If your wanting the correct year to letters for the plates, the first letter is Y and that was for 68-68.
FIRST LETTER OF PLATES STARTING WITH...
A to D 1963
E to I 1964
J to N 1965
O to S 1966
T to W 1967
W to Z 1968 and 1969
Let me know if you have any additional questions, I'm not too far away in Fremont.
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Originally Posted by irwiny
I would suggest calling DMV and ask them to check the plates if they are clear before purchasing. The person on the phone is able to check the plates.
If they are clear, you just need to get them registered using the YOM forms and pay application and annual YOM fees. I recall 63 don't need a 63 (year) sticker.
If your wanting the correct year to letters for the plates, the first letter is Y and that was for 68-68.
FIRST LETTER OF PLATES STARTING WITH...
A to D 1963
E to I 1964
J to N 1965
O to S 1966
T to W 1967
W to Z 1968 and 1969
Let me know if you have any additional questions, I'm not too far away in Fremont.
Irwin
Well, not so fast...When these plates were originally distributed, they were handed out to all DMVs across the state. So maybe in Sacramento, a bunch of early letters hit the streets while in San Diego, later letters were issued. My '63, a one owner car before me, carries it's original plates and they begin with KJR and mine is a more or less, "early" car.
The YY's would seem a bit later but who knows.
Unrelated, my kids think that the KJR on my plate is for "codger"---they may be right!
Good advise in the thread here. Make sure to check FOR YOURSELF on the DMV website if they are clear before purchase.
I've been watching ebay plates for a long time. There are a wide degree of quality.. those don't look too good to me. Some guys restore them perfectly.. however, like most things, you get what you pay for.. Pristine plates seem to be going for $400-$500.
Any black and yellow plate with a pre-'L' or 'M' prefix would be correct for your car. You should be able to get a pair of nice "A" through "M" plates for under $400 these days. The Y plates you posted are 1969 issue....the very last of the line. The only time I have seen late-series plates installed on an earlier car is when the car was an import to CA at a later time.....my '65 GTO has a '66 plate (RXS-000) due to it being bought new in Spokane WA and used there for its first year. The plate on Morley's '63 as posted above is a 1967 plate, which tells me that the car either came to CA in '67, or that the plates were changed for whatever reason (theft, damage, etc. ...not uncommon)
Here's another data point, a pic of my first '67 with it's original plates (TJH). Car was purchased new from Dailey Chevrolet in San Leandro (Bay Area) and plates were mailed from Sacramento. Pic taken circa 1970.
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Correct plates?
