Jeff,
Perfect outline of what needs to be!!!
First however, I need to haul the car down to DMV for a VIN verification!!!
So much crazy going on…need to take a deep breath and try and relax…ahhhh…OK that didn’t work!!!
Cheers!
Steve
I think this german company that makes Cali plates
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It turns out you were correct about the personalized plates not matching a standard format, because every personalized 123 ABC plate entry wasl rejected.
I then submitted a request in a 123 4AB format, but DMV wrote back that it was rejected!
Not sure how to what’s the way to get a XXX XXX personalized plate.
The plate configuration “1234AB” is a standard issue trailer plate thus is ineligible for use as a personal plate. The YOM option may be the most direct path to achieve your goal. Good luck.
With YOM I have to find a defunct 123 ABC plate, and have that reissued?
That wouldn’t allow it to be personalized, which is the ultimate goal. 
Felis_Fidelis, That is where Swap meets and Feebay(Ebay) come in handy. It may take some time to find a sequence you like. I have a small collection of license plates covering all 50 states and DC. I have found several interesting number plates over the years. I have one really cool old Washington state plate that could be cool on a 63.5 Galixie or some Chevys. It is a what is called a WASH 63 plate. Number is DBT-427. The state name is abbreviated to WASH and in embossed with the year 63. Among the cool plates I haVE A 1968 Michigan dealer plate.
To state the obvious, a regular sequence plate, by definition, cannot be a personalized plate in California under the current regulations. If your current goal is to have a period correct standard sequence set of plates, the path of least resistance is the YOM program.
Keep in mind that you need a legible pair of plates with validation sticker that are “clear” meaning that DMV does not show they are currently assigned to another vehicle. If your goal also includes the idea that the actual sequence is consistent with being originally issued during the 1970 model year, generally, that means an “early” sequence such as starting with the letters “A”, “B” or possibly “C” Having owned several 1971 model year cars in the distant past, all starting with “E” it is safe to say that somewhere between “C” and “E” sequences crossed over to model year 1971. While these general patterns are my recollections I suppose there can be exceptions, but check verifiable documentation before accepting the seller’s assurances. If your standards are somewhat flexible, and a later sequence is acceptable, that opens up your possibilities somewhat. In any event, if a seller has a nice set, they set the price.
Here is a current ebay listing (not mine, no relation) of an early set of legible plates with a 1970 validation tag already on them. As I recall there is a DMV phone number in Sacramento where you can check before you actually buy the plates. An online search should turn up that phone number.
If they are confirmed “clear” with DMV, and they are within your budget, pull the trigger before someone else does.
Wow! What a cherry set of plates! I would have almost been tempted to buy these plates about 5 years ago when I was looking for a B series plate for my classic car! It has since sold on…but it took me several years until I by a freaking chance of 1 in a bazillion, found the second owner of the car!
My 69 428CJ Eliminator came with an A series plate…licensed in 1970 as a slow seller at the dealership. (Plates not assigned until it rolled out the doors of the dealer…) I would have expected a Y or Z series for a mid 69 production car, which is what mine was.
Here is a pic of the other 69 car when it was in for some body work in 1971-72 where I learned what the original plate was!!! This car was also a late sale (dealer didn’t sell it for three years!) By the time I got the car, the B plates were long gone and I had an S series plate…
But this is probably the nicest set of 1972-ish plates I have ever seen!!! 
Steve
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Steve:
i remember that Mangusta in your garage in Santa Clara when I came by to pick up some tilt column parts for my '67. I also remember your spectacular Fairlane Squire as I also had one back in the late 1970’s when one could find a nice one for less than $600.00.
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Wow! That was a while ago!!!
I turned my Squire and the 69 Eliminator over to keep the blue car above. One point five car garage…5 car brain…!
Squire is now haunting the Cars n Coffee show scene in LA. Eliminator pops up from time to time…now yellow.
Did you happen to catch the Squire wagon on BAT in the last month or so!!? Quite the market for the buggers still!
I loved the look of the wood-grain… I never finished it but next care taker did! BEAUTIFUL JOB!!! Steve
CJ was a beast…she is a beaut!! File photo…
Sorry for the bad puns…
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A number of years ago I did see your Squire at the annual Knott’s show and had a chance to chat with the “new” owner. As I recall he was from the Palos Verdes Peninsula and had completed reinstallation of the correct simulated woodgrain and had the custom offset wheels made to fit. He definately loved that car! I haven’t been following BAT lately so I was not aware of the 2 '67 Squires that sold earlier. Brings back fond memories…
Regards, Jeff
!
Now that I finally have my 1970 XR-7 Convertible out of the shop, I’m looking to get 1970 CA Blue & Gold license plates. I guess I’m not going to get personalized, because it couldn’t be the 123 ABC 1970 issue format.
If I understand correctly, I’ll be looking for letters starting with A, B, or C, because it’s 1970.
On EBay there’s plenty of plates. There’s some with only one plate, many in poor condition, these might sell for $50. I’ve seen one pair that’s “professionally restored” for nearly $500.
I’m thinking to buy a single plate, or poor condition pair with a number I like, purchase this for cheap, have that registered with YOM, and then purchase a pristine custom reproduction plate in that number from the German company, put the registration sticker on these, mount these, and keep the original degraded plate in my trunk in case any law enforcement wishes to be fastidiously forensic.
Would this plan work?
I’ve already ordered a pair of reproduction license plate brackets for Lago Lincoln Mercury in Los Gatos. I’m going for the legend that this was a locally purchased car, and has been here all along.
Still at it??
To your last question “Would this plan work?” IMHO, probably not. If the same standards are being applied now for YOM, one must physically bring in a pair of clear YOM plates (state issued) in decent legible condition along with the appropriate year tag.
Depending on what you find out there and the cost/condition, it may be less costly to get the best condition originals you can find in the early blue/yellow series. Once they are assigned to your car, having them restored or replicated is up to you.
A quick check of ebay shows these still available:
(Not mine no relation)
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Agree with Jeff - DMV is only gonna let you run original issue plates on the car. And the new YOM plates are just enough different to be able to tell. I’d spend the money on a nice pair of originals and run them on the car instead.
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I checked, but do not have anymore 1970+ California plates.
Lago L-M was the dealer that sold my old R code 1969 XR7.
More like back at it, because I just got my car out of the shop after four years.
The DMV Regs are here.
The actual YOM (“Year of Manufacture”) rules don’t seem to apply to 1970.
YOM License Plates are officially manufactured California license plates issued in:
— 1969 or prior, for autos, trailers, and motorcycles…
- Blue and yellow license plates:
— Do not have a specific year model designation, but were not introduced until 1970.
So, it seems that 1970 plates can use any pair of serviceable 123 ABC blue and yellow license plates, and don’t require a 1970 sticker?
With a successful application, this happens:
Displaying YOM sticker
The applicant will be issued a PYR (partial year) sticker showing the month and year of expiration, along with a metal permanent sticker well for displaying the PYR sticker.
- The well must be placed behind the license plate, extending above the upper right hand corner, or, if not possible, placed on the right side of the plate.
- The original sticker(s) on the license plate must not be removed from the license plate, or the validation will be void.
What is a “metal permanent sticker well”?
Old CA license plates can be restored for $350. Seems steep. Are there other plate restorers out there?
I’m looking to get a replica Lago L-M plate from Grease Pit Graphics.
The example they give is red with white lettering.
My Cougar is Bright Blue Metallic, similar to the plate color.
The red/white doesn’t really complement the colors, even though GPG allows other colors. I’ll stick with it if that’s what LAGO used back then.