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I reside in NC. I put this on today. First time I've ever done this on a motor vehicle.
NC Legislative Statute § 20-63(d):
Any motor vehicle of the age of 35 years or more from the date of manufacture may bear the license plates of the year of manufacture instead of the current registration plates, if the current registration plates are maintained within the vehicle and produced upon the request of any person.
We have the same option here in Arizona, only there aren't any 1971 specific plates. Back then the plates were stamped "1969" and were used through 1972. So if I got one appropriate for my car it would be a 1969 plate, which likely would make people think the car is a 1969 Cutlass.
We have the same option here in Arizona, only there aren't any 1971 specific plates. Back then the plates were stamped "1969" and were used through 1972. So if I got one appropriate for my car it would be a 1969 plate, which likely would make people think the car is a 1969 Cutlass.
So, during each year 1969, 1970, 1971 & 1972 they issued a 1969 license plate? Indeed, I can see the dilemma you'd face.
That is very cool. They use plates over several years here in South Carolina as well. They had every year stamped for the longest time, but later, they went to the expiration sticker style. I got some 1969 plates for the 69, but they weren't originally with the car. Here the car only needs to be 30 years old. Which in a few short years, will allow every Oldsmobile ever made to qualify.
I bought a 1985 442 brand new and picked it up in February 1985. They had just went to a new plate design in 1985, and the plate I received when I first registered the car had a pre-printed "86" where the year expiration sticker would normally go. In SC at the time, if you got a new plate in 1985, you got the 1986 expiration year, and when you renewed, they'd give you an "87" sticker to put over the pre-printed 86. I kept that original plate. It's still in the trunk of the car in perfect condition. So when I go to do the YOM registration for mine, I'm going to bet dime to donuts the morons at DMV will give me grief because the car isn't a 1986 and it has "86" in the expiration placeholder. I'm not sure if I kept the original registration, however, so I'm wondering how tough it would be to prove. SC did not have anything that said 1985 on it except the "85" expiration year on a registration you got in 1984. Since my car wasn't built until February 1985, that wasn't possible when I got my new plate.
That is very cool. They use plates over several years here in South Carolina as well. They had every year stamped for the longest time, but later, they went to the expiration sticker style. I got some 1969 plates for the 69, but they weren't originally with the car. Here the car only needs to be 30 years old. Which in a few short years, will allow every Oldsmobile ever made to qualify.
I bought a 1985 442 brand new and picked it up in February 1985. They had just went to a new plate design in 1985, and the plate I received when I first registered the car had a pre-printed "86" where the year expiration sticker would normally go. In SC at the time, if you got a new plate in 1985, you got the 1986 expiration year, and when you renewed, they'd give you an "87" sticker to put over the pre-printed 86. I kept that original plate. It's still in the trunk of the car in perfect condition. So when I go to do the YOM registration for mine, I'm going to bet dime to donuts the morons at DMV will give me grief because the car isn't a 1986 and it has "86" in the expiration placeholder. I'm not sure if I kept the original registration, however, so I'm wondering how tough it would be to prove. SC did not have anything that said 1985 on it except the "85" expiration year on a registration you got in 1984. Since my car wasn't built until February 1985, that wasn't possible when I got my new plate.
It's nice that we can use the year-of-manufacture plates here in Oregon, too. There's just a one-time up-front cost of around $40 and you're set forever - no more annual tag costs. Oregon used the plate I have for several years - from around 1967 through 1974. I studied how Oregon issued their plates and found out some interesting things that led me to the plate I have on my '68. I knew the original Oregon plates on the car when it was new had the letter-number sequence of DCY 799. I found a set of Oregon plates that were used for one year only, with a lone '69 expiration tag on them (not a stack of expiration tags), with the letter-number sequence of DCX 217. Back then, Oregon issued plates by January (first letter on the plate was A) through December (first letter on the plate was M; I was skipped in the sequence). I know the original plates on the '68 were issued in mid-April 1968 and the plates I bought for my '68 were also issued in April 1968, most likely around the same time. Although the original plates were long gone, I was pretty happy to find this "year of issue" set of plates to put on the '68. Of course, there are restrictions on the use of these plates. Here, we can drive the car in parades, go out to car shows, take a Sunday drive, and so forth, with the old plates. We can't use the car for everyday business, which suits us just fine. Even the insurance company doesn't want us to get groceries and I know I don't want parking lot rash all over the side of the car! ! I was able to find a single plate for our '69 which we are using as well. To us, it just makes the cars look a bit more like the day when they were new!
It's nice that we can use the year-of-manufacture plates here in Oregon, too. There's just a one-time up-front cost of around $40 and you're set forever - no more annual tag costs. Oregon used the plate I have for several years - from around 1967 through 1974. I studied how Oregon issued their plates and found out some interesting things that led me to the plate I have on my '68. I knew the original Oregon plates on the car when it was new had the letter-number sequence of DCY 799. I found a set of Oregon plates that were used for one year only, with a lone '69 expiration tag on them (not a stack of expiration tags), with the letter-number sequence of DCX 217. Back then, Oregon issued plates by January (first letter on the plate was A) through December (first letter on the plate was M; I was skipped in the sequence). I know the original plates on the '68 were issued in mid-April 1968 and the plates I bought for my '68 were also issued in April 1968, most likely around the same time. Although the original plates were long gone, I was pretty happy to find this "year of issue" set of plates to put on the '68. Of course, there are restrictions on the use of these plates. Here, we can drive the car in parades, go out to car shows, take a Sunday drive, and so forth, with the old plates. We can't use the car for everyday business, which suits us just fine. Even the insurance company doesn't want us to get groceries and I know I don't want parking lot rash all over the side of the car! ! I was able to find a single plate for our '69 which we are using as well. To us, it just makes the cars look a bit more like the day when they were new!
Randy C.
Randy, excellent story. I agree, I really like YOM plates.
Randy - Outside of mostly basic things such as antennas, option packages, RPO, bumpers, striping, etc. - do you recall (know/remember) if the 1969 model year was the first year either GM or all manufacturers provided head (whiplash) restraints in front seats? I had a '67 4-4-2 and it had no head restraints, I had a '72 4-4-2 and it had head restraints. Were they mandatory or optional? Something tells me they were mandatory.
Also, since you have your '68 & '69 next to one another, was the front vent window standard in '68 and removed in '69?
Looks good Norm. Here in Georgia we can do the same thing. I should look into that, have no idea what the plates were like way back when in Georgia.
Thanks, Mike. You know, I never really considered much of it until 8 or 9 years ago a friend of mine asked me to keep a look out for a 1952 North Carolina motorcycle license plate he wanted to put on his 1952 Panhead motorcycle. That was the first time I'd ever even thought about the YOM idea.
That is very cool. They use plates over several years here in South Carolina as well. They had every year stamped for the longest time, but later, they went to the expiration sticker style. I got some 1969 plates for the 69, but they weren't originally with the car. Here the car only needs to be 30 years old. Which in a few short years, will allow every Oldsmobile ever made to qualify.
I bought a 1985 442 brand new and picked it up in February 1985. They had just went to a new plate design in 1985, and the plate I received when I first registered the car had a pre-printed "86" where the year expiration sticker would normally go. In SC at the time, if you got a new plate in 1985, you got the 1986 expiration year, and when you renewed, they'd give you an "87" sticker to put over the pre-printed 86. I kept that original plate. It's still in the trunk of the car in perfect condition. So when I go to do the YOM registration for mine, I'm going to bet dime to donuts the morons at DMV will give me grief because the car isn't a 1986 and it has "86" in the expiration placeholder. I'm not sure if I kept the original registration, however, so I'm wondering how tough it would be to prove. SC did not have anything that said 1985 on it except the "85" expiration year on a registration you got in 1984. Since my car wasn't built until February 1985, that wasn't possible when I got my new plate.
Nope, the morons will have a sheet with each tag for each year. The DMV people are programmed to follow the manual for everything.
As I understand, headrests became an option starting in the '66 model year (option code A81 or A82, depending upon if it's a bench or bucket seat; I don't recall which is which). My niece's '68 4-4-2 (who lives near Charlotte NC) has bucket seats with the optional headrests (and a passenger reclining bucket seat to boot!). Headrests became legally mandated in 1969 but I understand that enforcement of that mandate didn't start until January 1, 1969. Accordingly, I've heard there are early production 1969 model year cars (pre-1/1/69) without headrests as they weren't actually required until 1/1/69.
Here in VA we can also run YOM plates, and I've been kicking around the idea of getting a set for my '72 Supreme. Interesting fact about the plates is if it were for an odd year (i.e. 1971), the plates were white...even years they were black, and they were stamped with the year.
Norm, was there any rhyme or reason to the ones you chose, or is it just a random plate?
Here in VA we can also run YOM plates, and I've been kicking around the idea of getting a set for my '72 Supreme. Interesting fact about the plates is if it were for an odd year (i.e. 1971), the plates were white...even years they were black, and they were stamped with the year.
Norm, was there any rhyme or reason to the ones you chose, or is it just a random plate?
You're (obviously) restricted by what is available as these plates were previously issued in 1971. There are several vendors who sell these plates. The plates are priced based upon quality (scratches, dents, color, etc.), type (farm, dealer, truck, etc.) & alpha-numeric (i.e. W-31, W-4, WC-4) type. My plate (from a different vendor than the link I'm providing below) was $45.
If you're interested do a search for your state such as "YOM Virginia".
You're (obviously) restricted by what is available as these plates were previously issued in 1971. There are several vendors who sell these plates. The plates are priced based upon quality (scratches, dents, color, etc.), type (farm, dealer, truck, etc.) & alpha-numeric (i.e. W-31, W-4, WC-4) type. My plate (from a different vendor than the link I'm providing below) was $45.
If you're interested do a search for your state such as "YOM Virginia".
Dunno what you mean by "restricted", but 1972 Virginia YOM plates are pretty plentiful on the ol' innerweb. I'm just holding for ones that say something about my car...
Dunno what you mean by "restricted", but 1972 Virginia YOM plates are pretty plentiful on the ol' innerweb. I'm just holding for ones that say something about my car...
By restricted I mean to imply only plates which are "available", IOW those which remain in circulation. Obviously, not every license plate produced during a particular year is still going to remain available. Some were obviously destroyed.
My YOM plates (1972) are also registered to the cars pink slip along with the antique vehicle plates. They're interchangeable. If I want to show the car I put on the 1972 plates and drive it. If I just want to drive the car around town I use the antique plates. No hassles from law enforcement at all.
My YOM plates (1972) are also registered to the cars pink slip along with the antique vehicle plates. They're interchangeable. If I want to show the car I put on the 1972 plates and drive it. If I just want to drive the car around town I use the antique plates. No hassles from law enforcement at all.
For Norm: I forgot to add, the window wing was standard for '68 convertibles but changed to the single pane of glass in the '69 model year convertibles. There are some '69 A-bodies with the wind wing but I don't recall exactly which models they were.
For droldsmorland: I have the same problem. I started with the '68 because it's been in the family since new. I got the '69 because it's optioned so much nicer than the '68 (A/C, factory cruise control, AM-FM stereo, power antenna, disc brakes with the hard-to-find LY SSI wheels, remote trunk opener, passenger side dealership accessory mirror, reclining passenger bucket seat; all of which the '68 does not have). I believe the '69 looks better than the '68. In any case, I'm going to have to sell one of the two in the near future (downsizing) and it's hard to say which one goes. I'm inclined to keep the '68 because it has all the family history plus it did win Best In Class at the 2011 OCA Nationals in Reno. The restoration on the '69 isn't as detailed as the '68. I would say the '69 is a true driver whereas the '68 almost approaches trailer queen status. So hard to decide on what to do here!
I've wandered too far off from the OP on YOM plates!
I forgot to add, the window wing was standard for '68 convertibles but changed to the single pane of glass in the '69 model year convertibles. There are some '69 A-bodies with the wind wing but I don't recall exactly which models they were.
I wasn't going to push on answering - thanks for answering. Also, on another thread you're in (convertible shoulder harness seat belts). My '71 CS convertible has the custom option with electric windows lighting, etc. no electric seats & no electric door locks. But, guess what it does have? Shoulder harness seat belt restraints in a convertible! Damnedest thing I've ever seen!
EDIT: Well, let's just say it came with them. It no longer has them installed.
These plates are original to the family. The plates were good for 2 years (1964 & 1965) and then replaced with a new set (now it's 6 years and the plates are cheap aluminum.) When retired from the car they were used as wind blocks in the dirt for the garden plants for the next 20 years and they were in tough shape. I blasted them and had them repaired and repainted. I had a local printing company reproduce the registration sticker for 1964. They kind of balked at it until I convinced them it was legit. Nebraska doesn't actually require the sticker for historical plates but I wanted it to show the year. My plates have been done for a few years sitting on a shelf. The car is a few years away from being able to be driven, let alone done.
These plates are original to the family. The plates were good for 2 years (1964 & 1965) and then replaced with a new set (now it's 6 years and the plates are cheap aluminum.) When retired from the car they were used as wind blocks in the dirt for the garden plants for the next 20 years and they were in tough shape. I blasted them and had them repaired and repainted. I had a local printing company reproduce the registration sticker for 1964. They kind of balked at it until I convinced them it was legit. Nebraska doesn't actually require the sticker for historical plates but I wanted it to show the year. My plates have been done for a few years sitting on a shelf. The car is a few years away from being able to be driven, let alone done.
Nice restore. Nice story - thanks for sharing. I had to rotate them - for my mental health.
I found this beauty on flea bay recently .
You can tell it was mounted on a car once . But it must have been mounted on the car that was driven by a little old lady once a week to church .
Good condition is important in Florida YOM plates . Absolutely no re-painting or repair of plates is allowed . Original paint only .
In fact the plate must be sent to Tallahasee to be inspected by DMV officials before it can be used .
The county code was even correct . #17 is Seminole County where I live . The weight code " D " is wrong though , that is for a car between 2000 and 2500 lbs .Like a Corvair or VW . Doesn't matter though , any 1963 Florida plate is ok for a '63 car .
Counties were ranked by population , #1 was Dade county where Miami is , #2 is Duval (Jacksonville), #3 Hillsbourough (Tampa ) , all way down to #67 Liberty County , which is in the panhandle and is very sparsely populated .
Last edited by Charlie Jones; Jun 20, 2020 at 07:00 PM.
In the UK licence plates, aka number plates or registration plates, are issued when the car is sold new, and stay with the vehicle for its life. From 1964 you could always tall the age of the vehicle at a glance. Three letters (which could be decoded to find the local licencing authority), numbers between 1 and 999, then a suffix letter. A few had an "A" from 1963, then "B" for 1964 and so on. From August 1967 the issuing was moved to September 1st, thus an F suffix was from September 1st 1967 to August 31st 1968.
"I", "O", "Q", and "Z" were missed out.
Then in 1984 it was reversed, with an "A" prefix.
It changed again in 2000, with two letters, two numbers, 01 for Sept 2000 to March 2001, then 51 to August, 02 and 52 for the next year and so on.
You could have a "vanity" plate for a fee, it has to be a number that has been issued previously, and before the vehicle it is for may not be newer than the original issue date. "V 8 ROD can't go on a pre 1998 vehicle for example.
I used YOM plates on two Olds, they had a new plate for every year up until 1973, when they started using the plates for several years. In Michigan, it is also a one time registration fee, plus it lowers the insurance cost through Hagerty, and I would assume other insurer's as well, as we pay for catastrophic coverage on our daily drivers, it significantly lowers it on collector cars. I see old plates for sale at car show swap meets, so, you can easily find what you need. Many are unused, and therefore in excellent condition.
I've considered YOM plates for my Olds but I'd like to find Logan county plates (since that's where I live). The only problem is that in 1971 there were probably less than a dozen vehicles registered in Logan county. It's still rural today.
BTW, I researched some NC plate history. Like many other states, the license plate history reads like a hodge-podge of graffiti. But, during the period when my license plates were issued, the "HP" referenced "Highway Patrol". At a later point in time, they changed from "HP" to "SHP" (State Highway Patrol).
YOM plate allowability varies by state, so any discussion of what a different state does has no relevance to answer a question. Download and read the specific state law that applies to your state. You might be surprised by what you find. As an example, here in VA, you can use YOM plates in a couple of different ways. You can use them as the normal "antique registration" with use restrictions. You can also use them for a regular registration for daily, unrestricted use, but if you do that you have to treat them as a normal registration and pay annual fees and get a safety inspection. I'm doing that with my 67 Delta. Most people in the DMV are unaware of this clause in state law. I had to print out that section of the law and show it to the DMV clerk, and even then she needed two phone calls to confirm it.
YOM plate allowability varies by state, so any discussion of what a different state does has no relevance to answer a question. Download and read the specific state law that applies to your state. You might be surprised by what you find. As an example, here in VA, you can use YOM plates in a couple of different ways. You can use them as the normal "antique registration" with use restrictions. You can also use them for a regular registration for daily, unrestricted use, but if you do that you have to treat them as a normal registration and pay annual fees and get a safety inspection. I'm doing that with my 67 Delta. Most people in the DMV are unaware of this clause in state law. I had to print out that section of the law and show it to the DMV clerk, and even then she needed two phone calls to confirm it.
Did you read Post #17
Evidently, some other guy on another forum is masquerading as you.
Those really low numbers were (and are) reserved for ranking state and local officials. Difference now is that the plate says what the office is.
A local Clerk of Court took a lot of heat for having his CoC plate on a $90k Corvette. To his credit he was savvy enough to transfer the CoC plate to a Honda SUV.
Those really low numbers were (and are) reserved for ranking state and local officials. Difference now is that the plate says what the office is.
A local Clerk of Court took a lot of heat for having his CoC plate on a $90k Corvette. To his credit he was savvy enough to transfer the CoC plate to a Honda SUV.
I noticed that NC HP plate right off the bat😎.
Yeah, that number didn't last long on the site - gone in a heartbeat. That's a funny story. 🤣
