anyone have any good resources on finding old TEXAS plates...specifically for my '53 Chevy Sedan? i've searched the net like crazy with no luck so far. and on the same note, does anyone know specifics on re-registering old plates like that in TEXAS? rules....regualtions? i've searched for info on that too but can't find much. thanks. Chris
There's a dude that shows up at the Dallas Autorama (mid-February) every year (I think I've seen him at some swaps too?). He usually has a real good selection of old plates.. most in decent condition. Prices are fairly reasonable compared to what I've seen plates going for in other parts of the country. Can't remember about the 53 plates, but the 52 ones were odd-shaped, almost square. I decided they wouldn't look right on my car, so I went with regular civilian plates. As for the regs, you have to register the YOM (year of manufacture) ones with the DMV. I'll see if I can dig up something more accurate and detailed for you.
Old Texas License Plates Jesse Perez 210-532-7456 With that, I just registered my 51 as an Antique vehicle. No inspection required and it cost me like 60.oo at the local Tax ***esors Office, the hardest part was starting the car and driving there.
From the application form for Antique Auto License plates: Download the form #VTR-54 from the DMV's website.
Haven't had any luck find plates either. Check out the department of public safety website. They've got all the regs there and easy to navigate.
Tx dot will want to look at the plates...it is best to know the law when you go. Had one tell me she wouldn't approve the plate i wnated to run because it wasn't "reflectorized" Told her that they weren't in '46...that technlogy came along about 10 years later. She got a real at***ude problem, so i left & went back a couple of days later with the same plate, and got a different clerk...no problems. Forewarned is forearmed
Jesse probably has what you need. I got plates for my 62 caddy, they just have to be in good shape and match the year of manuf. for your vehicle. Took them to the tax ***esors office when I registered the car and now I pay $10 extra a year to run the plates.
I actually just got a set of '30 texas plates... Flat Top Bob hooked me up with some dude... The plates are restored and incredible. Maybe he will chime in with the contact info.
I think that if you're planning on using it as a daily driver, you'll want "cl***ic" registration and not "antique." This is off the TXDoT website: Antique license plates are issued for cars, trucks or motorcycles that are at least 25 years old and are a collector’s item. The vehicle must be used exclusively for exhibitions, club activities, parades or other functions of public interest. Vehicles displaying Antique plates may not be used for regular transportation or carry advertising; however, the vehicle may be driven to and from a location for routine maintenance. Cl***ic license plates are issued to cars that are 25 or more years old. Unlike antiques, which cannot be used for regular transportation or carry advertising, cl***ic license plates require a vehicle to be fully registered like any other vehicle, allowing it be operated on any roadway. A specialty plate fee of $15 is charged in addition to the regular registration fee and other applicable fees.
thank you much. thats exactly what i'm looking for. i plan on the '53 being a daily driver. thanks again.
The Ft. Worth swap at LaGrave Field (April 6-7) has about a half dozen old Texas plate vendors. But shop around, the prices vary greatly. I got original, unrestored '47 TX plates, asking price was $60.00, offered and got 'em for $45.00. Other vendors were asking,...no, make that demanding, up to $100.00 for similar condition plates. The "off years" (no notable muscle car years) can be cheaper.
This applies to the state issued plated in particular. they have (new) plates with "cl***ic" or "antique vehicle" printed/stamped into them. you CAN register original year plates to a vehicle, but the registration sticker consists of a tag you bolt over them. (kinda like the old "current year" registration" stickers.) you're not supposed to use the car for a daily...but I know several guys that have original plates on thier dailys, and haven't gotten messed around with...in fact, the only person lucky enough I know to have gotten H***eled is our own Krupanut. he's got amazing automotive luck, you know.
RYAN congrats on that set of '30 Plates, I swore after how hard I looked I must have bought the last set. As for the registration, you can search on here we've covered it alot for Texas. Its not hard unless your local DMV makes it hard. Good luck!
Gerald Thiele (pronounced Thee-Lee) is the guy I'm sure Ryan is talking about. This guy does EXPERT restoration work on old plates. If you supply the plates yourself, it's $40 a plate to get them restored. I am under the impression that he restores all of Jesse's plates that he sells. I may be wrong. I am positive that Gerald buys rough plates from Jesse though. Gerald also has some cool old plates, too, like Dealer plates that you only have to register the rear on. Don't have to run front plates with a Dealer plate. Call him. 940-552-2038
cool. thanks alot. yea, i had a buddy of mine tell me that he thought with dealer plates you only have to run the rear plate! if i can find one THATS what i want! thanks again!
Just an FYI...slightly OT, I have a pair of 58 Texas FARM TRUCK plates that I tried to run on the 58 panel...turns out that the rules are if it says FARM on it...it must be on a FARM registered vehicle, even if it is a cl***ic/ antique plate. ...just found this out last week. I knew that I was &%$#ed when the lady reached behind her and pulled out the book, then 5 minutes later was on the phone with TXDOT
You can use original year plates with either type of registration, but the rules are different between antique and cl***ic. That's all I was saying. If you go with cl***ic, you're legal to drive anywhere, anytime. Not sure why anybody would want to knowingly go the other route and take the chance, when it's just as easy to take the legal route.
so i did a HAMB search and found another topic you had posted on... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=144397&highlight=Texas+plates you posted this... http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/msb/txm...tm#Chapter%204 TRC §502.275. Subsection L "(l) Notwithstanding any other section of this code, a vehicle issued plates under Subsection (a) shall be required to display only one license plate, which is to be attached to the rear of the vehicle." and to make sure i'm reading this correctly... I can take some origianl 1953 plates, get them "approved", register the car as a "cl***ic"(with those plates) and run ONLY ONE plate on the back??
i have a guys card i will post it here when i get home... he has a big collection and even gives you the paperwork to get it registered....
Try this link... http://cgi.ebay.com/1953-Texas-license-plates-AN9849-NOS-PAIR_W0QQitemZ300075799510QQihZ020QQcategoryZ14040QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
The Jalopy Journal
