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Recommendation for source for repro vintage license plate?

Started by JH27N0B, January 26, 2022, 07:48:50 AM

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JH27N0B

I have a vintage 1970 Illinois dealer plate on my Mr Norms T/A.  At MCACN last year an owner of another Mr Norms car told me the number on Mr Norms Dealer plates back in the day was 1330.  Mine's close, 1353.
I know there's companies that make reproduction license plates and have searched a bit online and found sites for a number of them.  Before I contact them all and see if they can make what I want, I thought I'd check and see if anyone has any experience with any of these companies for a recommendation?
A repro 1970 Illinois license plate with any letters or numbers I want will probably be fairly easy to source, but I'm concerned if they can set up to put the vertical DL and A on the plate.

70/6chall

That's pretty cool to have a dealers plate for your car. Especially a known Mopar performance dealership like Mr. Norms. Personally for years now I've always liked to see dealership license plate frames and other dealership memorabilia on a car being shown. I believe these little subtle extras give the car roots if you know of your cars automotive history. A lot of original dealership trappings were done away with almost the next day for something more personal. Even the dealership metal badges on the rear of the car somehow disappear. I always heard "I'm not going to advertise for them if I'm not getting paid". At this point in time concerning my 70 Challenger I like this stuff. What makes it easy for me is that I bought the car back in the day, it's a 70 but I bought it as a dealership trade-in in 72,
So I have the original dealership license plate frames still in beautiful condition and even the ad insert in the front, these were trashed years ago. When I show the car I even place an original dealership coffee cup where it can be seen on the dash. If you have it flaunt it.  Thanks,   Al

njsteve

Check with these guys. I had them make copies of my grandfather's original 1971 NY "Televsion" plates for his Lincoln. (He worked for ABC back in the day and these were his state issued plates). They did a perfect job. They have every vintage location and style you can think of.

https://www.licenseplates.tv/?matchtype=e&network=g&device=c&keyword=license%20plates%20tv&campaign=1691996100&adgroup=66028053095&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-KG2x4zQ9QIVdMqzCh14pwk5EAAYASAAEgJs9_D_BwE


70vert

Sorry no help here, but interested.

I have 1970 Texas plates on my Challenger that I bought years ago at an antique fair. They are showing some wear/rust and I've been worried I might not be able to use them much longer. But if I can have them reproduced that would be awesome. They are nothing special though so probably depends on how much. I'll check out the link, and any others recommended. Thanks for the thread (:

tedsweet

none of the repros are allowed to look like the originsal

Filthy Filbert

Quote from: tedsweet on January 26, 2022, 05:50:30 PM
none of the repros are allowed to look like the originsal

Under which state law are you referring to, to make this statement?   

Can you provide a link or source? 

Ohio allows you to use "year of make" plates as long as they are 'clear, legible and issued by the state'

I see nothing that says you cannot have one reproduced as long as it's a reproduction of one that was originally issued.   No different than having a fender tag or vin tag reproduced to complete your restoration.

Besides, as long as it's a true reproduction of an original that you own eliminating the chances of a duplicate.... How is any minimum wage dmv employee or average law enforcement officer going to know the difference?


70vert

Quote from: Filthy Filbert on January 26, 2022, 06:06:12 PM
Quote from: tedsweet on January 26, 2022, 05:50:30 PM
none of the repros are allowed to look like the originsal

Under which state law are you referring to, to make this statement?   

Can you provide a link or source? 

Ohio allows you to use "year of make" plates as long as they are 'clear, legible and issued by the state'

I see nothing that says you cannot have one reproduced as long as it's a reproduction of one that was originally issued.   No different than having a fender tag or vin tag reproduced to complete your restoration.

Besides, as long as it's a true reproduction of an original that you own eliminating the chances of a duplicate.... How is any minimum wage dmv employee or average law enforcement officer going to know the difference?

Texas too, which is exactly what I have. But a bit concerned about the "clear" as the rust grows. I figure I'll just restore these, but might be interested in brand new replica tags.



6bblgt

Quote from: Filthy Filbert on January 26, 2022, 06:06:12 PM
issued by the state

I don't think aluminum "reproductions" qualify as "issued by the state (OHIO)"

Filthy Filbert

Quote from: 6bblgt on January 26, 2022, 11:41:57 PM
Quote from: Filthy Filbert on January 26, 2022, 06:06:12 PM
issued by the state

I don't think aluminum "reproductions" qualify as "issued by the state (OHIO)"

I don't think I would call aluminum "exact copy of original" either. 

JH27N0B

I imagine it's one of those situations where the law is different in every state.  In Illinois you can run year of manufacture vintage plates as long as you carry your state issued antique vehicle plates when you drive.
I know some states have similar laws but you must bring your vintage plates in to a Secretary of State office to get your cars registration linked to them in some way.
Do the clerks know the difference between a reproduction plate and a real 50 year old one?  Do they care?
I believe there are places that will restore a tired vintage plate too, if you want to split hairs that probably violates some states laws, but again do the authorities lose any sleep over such an inconsequential issue?
At any rate thanks for the lead, I'll see if I can get myself a repro Mr Norms dealer plate?



Filthy Filbert

Quote from: JH27N0B on January 27, 2022, 05:42:18 AM
I imagine it's one of those situations where the law is different in every state.  In Illinois you can run year of manufacture vintage plates as long as you carry your state issued antique vehicle plates when you drive.
I know some states have similar laws but you must bring your vintage plates in to a Secretary of State office to get your cars registration linked to them in some way.
Do the clerks know the difference between a reproduction plate and a real 50 year old one?  Do they care?
I believe there are places that will restore a tired vintage plate too, if you want to split hairs that probably violates some states laws, but again do the authorities lose any sleep over such an inconsequential issue?
At any rate thanks for the lead, I'll see if I can get myself a repro Mr Norms dealer plate?


That's also my thoughts on the matter.   One could fret about every single "law"  Or one can relax and enjoy life.   

I know I said that "aluminum wouldn't be an exact copy" but that was just in reference to being in violation of a law or not.  I would have no problem using one if I wanted to, just have to be careful that it's not a copy of another plate that may be out there. 

If your state allows you to run year of make plates as long as you connect them back to your actual registration, then who cares what the plate is made out of?   If doing that bothers you, then what are your thoughts on reproduction fender tags or Vin tags? Or replacing your dash pad?  You know, the federal law states no "tampering" with a vin tag, so I sure hope you never removed your tag and re-attached it to a new pad!!!   ::)

Oh, and don't forget, it's illegal to modify your exhaust due to emissions reasons.    And lots of engine modifications are illegal too!   
:drunk:

JH27N0B

Quote from: njsteve on January 26, 2022, 11:01:56 AM
Check with these guys. I had them make copies of my grandfather's original 1971 NY "Televsion" plates for his Lincoln. (He worked for ABC back in the day and these were his state issued plates). They did a perfect job. They have every vintage location and style you can think of.

https://www.licenseplates.tv/?matchtype=e&network=g&device=c&keyword=license%20plates%20tv&campaign=1691996100&adgroup=66028053095&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-KG2x4zQ9QIVdMqzCh14pwk5EAAYASAAEgJs9_D_BwE
I put in an inquiry with them today and they said they'd be able to make me a nice reproduction 1970 Illinois  dealer plate with the 1330 on it which I've been told was the number on Mr Norms plates then!
I'll post a picture when I get it.  Thanks again for the lead!

70vert

In Texas, I simply had to take the plates to the DMV for registration. They did a check to confirm the plate numbers (JTN*144) were not already in use, and that was it. From now on I just renew online yearly.

tedsweet