California License Plates and our Corvairs

A new Corvair owner recently reached out to us to ask about the steps to obtain a period correct plate for her 1962 Monza. When she purchased the car, it came with the modern “lipstick plate”.

As we shared information with her on this, it dawned on us that you may have this same question. So we gathered up all of the information we had and wanted to present you with a quick and easy primer for you and your Corvair.

Naturally, the re-issued modern black and yellow plates from the 60’s are available from the DMV for a one time fee. These plates could come with an assigned number or you can customize them. You’ve seen them on Tesla’s and the like. Easy peasy. If you want to get a little more in the weeds or “period correct”, especially for 1960, 1961 & 1962, keep reading.

In the Corvair’s original factory run, they were equipped with one of two plates in California.

The “Black Plate” was state issued from 1963-1969.

What we want to focus on here is “Year of Manufacture or YOM plates” and how to get them & register them.

You will see license plates for sale on eBay, Etsy, Facebook marketplace, swap meets, garage sales and antique stores. If you want the plates for more than just “wall art”, you will need to remember two things.

1. Are the plates “cleared” in the DMV system? You can check this by going to the DMV website and entering in the plate number.
2. Get two plates in good condition, or get two plates in rough but restorable condition. The key is to get a set. Even in a classic car, a cop will pull you over in California with just the rear plate. We have had more than one member air a grievance about this. If you run on one plate and haven’t been rung up yet, congratulations!

So you have a pair of plates and they’re cleared. Great! You can either enter them into DMV as a customized plate or go the YOM route. If you enter them as a custom plate, you will pay a customized plate fee every year at the time of registration.

In California, Year of Manufacture (YOM) license plates must be authentic, legible, and previously assigned to the vehicle, or if not, you’ll need to apply to the DMV for assignment. You’ll also need to surrender the plates currently on the vehicle and pay any associated fees.

Application Process:

• If the plates were previously assigned to the vehicle: You’ll need to provide proof, such as the original California Certificate of Title, registration card, or renewal notice, along with a Statement of Facts (REG 256). 
• If the plates were not previously assigned to the vehicle: You’ll need to submit a Year of Manufacture (YOM) License Plate Application (REG 352)
• The DMV may require additional documentation or information to process your application. 
• YOM plates are not interchangeable with personalized or special interest plates
• YOM plates will need a period correct sticker for the Month and year. You will need to affix a metal tab on your rear license plate frame with the current DMV registration sticker.

If you don’t want to deal with all of the headache of hunting down plates and fighting with the person at the DMV who probably has no interest in helping you, there are vintage license plate brokers out there specializing in this.

Our main local vendor is Paul Gunter at California Old License Plates in Vacaville. You may have seen Paul vending at Goodguys, Autorama, Midnight Mass or countless vintage shows with vendor booths.

With over 25 years experience, Paul is the real deal and can restore plates, source plates, provide the period correct decals and give you everything you need to easily register your YOM plates with DMV. Essentially, if you have a license plate question, it is more than likely that Paul has the answer.

Here is SFBA co-founder Tony Richards YouTube video on California license plates.

Do you have a tip on obtaining or restoring vintage license plates?

Have a DMV registration nightmare or success story?

Share them with us in the comments.