OMG, I have License Plates!!

Smog Referee this AM w/my SB100 intact and all went smoothly. Onward to DMV and actually received CA license plates after 9 months!

Congratulations! Must have been a hassle.

Cool news about your Speedster, Dennis!

Now get out there and drive it like you stole it!!

Drove it today in the RAIN. Damn I hated to do that!

Good job Dennis, did you get modern plates, or vintage?

I've got modern, but I'm itching to get the vintage. I'm also pained to think about doing a front license plate frame. Thoughts?

Dennis -

Check on this site for Tom Williams (TDUBTUB). He has a bitchen green coupe that he put vintage CA plates on front & rear. He was at Malibu (Gladstone's) when we all did the Reagan Library tour. He also has a very nice Cream-colored Speedy. Both are done in an old-school look. He is in Orange, SoCal. He could probably give some tips on mounting plates on the front without drilling the bumper.

http://cncpics.com/v/0811/081108/cci081108188.JPG.html

Dennis, unfortunately, it's not legal to install year of manufacture plates on a replica.
Now that you have it registered under SB100 it will be impossible.

Regardless of the SB100, it's a felony to register your replica as something it's not. In other words, registering it as a 195---- Porsche is a felony in Calif.

Here's the license plate information

Model Year Date License Plates
5004.1. (a) (1) ( )1 An owner of a vehicle that is a 1969 or older model-year vehicle or the owner of a commercial vehicle or a pickup truck that is a 1972 or older model-year may, after the requirements for the registration of the vehicle are complied with and with the approval of the department, utilize license plates of this state with the date of year corresponding to the model-year date when the vehicle was manufactured, if the model-year date license plate is legible and serviceable, as determined by the department, in lieu of the license plates otherwise required by this code.(2) The department may consult with an organization of old car hobbyists in determining whether the date of year of the license plate corresponds to the model-year date when the vehicle was manufactured.

(b) A fee of forty-five dollars ($45) shall be charged for the application for the use of the special plates.

(c) In addition to the regular renewal fee for the vehicle for which the plates are authorized, the applicant for a renewal of the plates shall be charged an additional fee of ten dollars ($10). ( )2 If payment of a regular vehicle renewal fee is not required by this code, the holder of license plates with a date corresponding to the model-year may retain the plates upon payment of an annual fee of twenty dollars($20)( )3 that shall be due at the expiration of the registration year of the vehicle to which the plates were last assigned under this section.

(d) ( )4 If a person who is authorized to utilize the special license plates applies to the department for transfer of the plates to another vehicle, a transfer fee of twelve dollars ($12) shall be charged in addition to all other appropriate fees.

i believe dale bates had a serious run in with the CHP using the older type plates, he doesnt run them anymore. you might contact him before spending the $$$$

Whoa....I'm not interested in registering the car as anything it's not. I was talking about some vintage plates that I've read about in this forum and keeping the real ones trunked. Not about to run afoul of the law.

I like the mount on the Green Couple and will do some follow up. Thanks all.

Dennis, putting on vintage plates and operating the car on the highway is also a crime. Even if you have the "real" plates in the trunk.

Yeah, I know a lot of people do it but,, if you're caught and the CHP officer is having a bad day, you're screwed.

Just so you know, personally, I don't care what you do, I'm only trying to provide enough information to keep you from a huge financial loss should you get caught.

Presentation of Evidence of Registration:
Vehicle Identification Documents: Unlawful Use or Possession
4462. (a) The driver of a motor vehicle shall present the registration or identification card or other evidence of registration of any or all vehicles under his or her immediate control for examination upon demand of any peace officer.

(b) No person shall display upon a vehicle, nor present to any peace officer, any registration card, identification card, temporary receipt, license plate, device issued pursuant to Section 4853, or permit not issued for that vehicle or not otherwise lawfully used thereon under this code



I'm reasonably sure that with our states financial crisis, DMV and the Attorney General's office will be searching for ways to collect money, fradulent registration and motor vehicle violations is just one way to collect funds.


A few years back, a Deputy Attorney General joined www.spyderclub.com and posted this:

The California Attorney Generals Office has been conducting an investigation into the fraudulent registration of replica vehicles (http://www.caag.state.ca.us/newsalerts/2004/04-042.htm ). The initial investigation was limited to Cobra replica vehicles due to known VIN sequences. We are aware that the same fraudulent vehicle registration issues apply to other replica vehicles and hot rods.

To correct a common misunderstanding of California law, it is a felony to do the following:

1. Register a vehicle where the year of vehicle is misrepresented;
2. Register a vehicle where the value of the vehicle is understated; or
3. Register a vehicle where the year of the vehicle is misrepresented to avoid compliance with California smog laws.

Any of the above actions are a felony in violation of Vehicle Code Section 4463(a). Additionally, the above actions constitute the crime of perjury, in that all statement of facts contained in California DMV documents are taken under penalty of perjury.

If you are a California resident and have done any of the above in registering your replica vehicle or hot rod you may wish to contact an attorney. I would also encourage you to take proactive steps to correct the problem by legally re-registering your vehicle.

If you have further questions you may contact me at (916) 445-9330.

Robert Morgester
Deputy Attorney General
Special Crimes Unit
State of California Department of Justice
(916) 445-9330

Thanks Larry. Appreciate the advice and consider it taken. Best, Dennis

Dennis, no problem, just trying to keep bacon out of the fire..

BTY, I work on replica's, everything from tune up's, carb adjustments, rebuilds, modifications and a bunch of other stuff and only about 35 minutes from Pasadena (Ontario)

For what it's worth - maybe you don't want to run front plates?

I have not run a front license plate on ANY vehicle I've owned since 1970. That includes a Corvette, three pickup trucks, a Mustang, a PT Cruiser, and of course my speedy. Yes, it's illegal (sorta like moderate speeding). No, they won't stop you just for that infraction (sorta like moderate speeding). I have never been stopped in nearly 40 years. I live in a suburban area of three million people and make a 1000 mile trip the length of California at least once every year.

I do carry the front plate in the vehicle and plan to be real pleasant when/if I am ever stopped. Life is about choices - and consequences.

I did have a run in with CA DMV. It was ALL my fault for trying (and succeeding, for awhile) to register my car as a Porsche. The main reason was so I could run YOM plates and you need to be registered as a 1962 or older car to do that.

After talking with some club cobra guys I met at a tour, I was getting a bit worried and started the SB100 process. I had the SB100 number and was in the process when I received a letter from CA DMV Fraudulent Registration unit stating that my car was reg'd illegally and I was to send my pink slip and plates to DMV immediately. If the car was found being driven or even parked on the street it COULD be impounded!

The car is legally registered and I don't worry about the "do you know how fast you were going" incident.

If you have reg questions in CA, get a hold of the guy Larry mentioned in his post. I have spoken with him and he is a wonderful source.

Dennis,Here is a link to a photo of my VS widebody front plate.
https://www.speedsterowners.com/files/view.asp?sf=Joel3217&f=front+passenger+side+uploadable%2Ejpg
Kirk made the bracket, a simple L shaped piece of steel and bolted it to the nerf bar bracket...clean and simple.
I hope that this helps.
Joel

Dennis,
In regards to mounting the front license plate. Maybe this will work for you:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=706844

David, for what it's worth and with no disrespect intended, your statement that "They (Law Enforcement) won't stop you for just that infraction" (no front license plate) is false.

The fact that you've never been stopped is because you've never been caught. When I worked patrol, I routinely used "no front license plate" as a means of Probable Cause to stop someone of interest.

It is a citeable offense in Calif. and as most of you know, Calif. no longer will just let you get the "fix it" signed off. You now have to pay a fine and court costs.

Again, as I said above, personally, I don't care what you do but I do care that our members receive the correct information.

Also, with the financial crisis our state is experiencing, I'd be a "donut" that Traffic supervisors have been instructed to have their personnel write as many tickets as possible, for the revenue.

PS, Also for what's it worth, I don't have a front license plate on my 1973 911

Here is my California budget balancing contribution----- with all the vanity and special interest plates issued, how about issuing vintage look plates for a fee to the state? The fees can help with the budget, and we can have cool tags. Everybody wins!

My ex wife got a ticket on her 911.......while it was parked in SF's Golden Gate Park.....for just having 1 plate on da back.

I've been running my Chapron bodied 1964 Citroen DS convertible with only one on the back for 32 years without a problem......

To mount a copy plate on the front . would probley be legal but it wont be lighted. you will probley have to keep the rear one If I understand you correctly.

I second plate is put right above tbe bumper in the middle .With a wide body speedster If you dont have bumpers just center it up by eye and tape the body and drill under size holes first using the plates lower holes as a guide I like Stainless steel 1/4x20 nuts, bolts, and washers with the back rubber washers on the pant surface Bolts from the inside out of the car with washers and nuts and the stud long enough to put plate and frame on with more washers and stainless Acorn nuts to dress it out..

A clean neat install

Hey Larry, no disrespect taken, and I agree that no front plate is a technical infraction of the law. But over many years I have repeatedly asked that same question of dozens of Highway Patrol and local enforcement officers (at car shows mostly) and they all say they won't stop someone "just for that infraction" - like moderate speeding. So I hope I shall continue to remain "NOT a person of interest" to you and your brothers - whom I do respect.

p.s. I drove through Ontario last night without my front plate.

Every city in California is looking for money and one of those ways is thru vehicle code enforcement. The use of "red light runner cameras" is a huge source of revenue that the makes the cities drool and the cities will do what ever it takes to get that dollar. The front plate violation used to be just a simple fixit but now cities are fining $125 and more for court costs.

Do what you will, you will probably get away with it but my last no front plate ticket was received when I was in a state park. It is not just a CHP deal.

Stay out of Beverly Hills with no front plate. I parked in street metered parking, came back and had plenty of time on the meter but had a no front plate ticket stuck under my wiper blade. That's why both my replicas have front plates.

Read all available "search" threads on the LP issue and took away a recommendation for an NLA part. I ordered last night, so now I'm waiting to see if they REALLY have it.

With the Gov. looking for revenue, I'm sure the front license plate issue will generate some revenue!

Looks like the NLA part affixes inside the bumper w/o any drilling. I'll report w/photos if I'm successful. Thanks for everyones input!

Then Dave O'Brien shows up at C & C a week ago with his red temporary registration sticker blocking about half the passengers side of the windshield. But I guess that makes it legal?

Yeah I'm getting so used to that visual obstruction I might leave it there.

My car came with a front plate holder already so no worries, I am using both front and back plates. Now can I dream up a smart a$$ plate or just go with whatever the state gives me.

Decisions decisions,

Dave

I went with 58 SPDY for my personal tags. NLA has the part, so hopefully I'll report w/photos within the week.

With the state and cities in such bad shape, they will be getting money wherever they can. A couple years ago in Scripps Ranch they set up a series of motorcycles and wrote up every person without a front plate. Since then, I always keep fronts on the cars. The one that hurts the worst is the front plate on the Boxster. Dummies with the "tow package" on their SUV's (as if they ever tow anything anyway in yuppieland) keep backing into it. I straighten it once a month. Who cares, "drill, drill, drill" and put the plate on.

Fred Adler San Diego

On the way home from work last night, they had 4 CHPs on bikes parked right off the exit and they were waving and writing, waving and writing. Nope, I'm going with the front tag.

Well I had some free time this week so monday I went down to the DMV to pick up my plates. The final leg of my 8+ month SB-100 saga.

Waited about 2hours, thank the lord for the I-pod and books on tape.

Got my plate and got out of DMVland. The building was crammed to the rafters and felt like I was in the 3rd world building. Cali is not in good shape, infrastructure is falling down around our ears.

My personalized plates are coming later " 69 VW TUB " bevis and butthead would be proud I got 69 on my plate. Allowed because my doner car was a '69 VW. Then I will return the standard ones.

No more visual obstruction in the window.

Good job Dave!

Dave - you're another step closer to Speedster Nirvana!!!

Sweeeet!! Now I won't feel like such a criminal when I ride in your car next time. By the way - I will be out there the last week in April. You guys available?

Lane - let us know dates & times you'll be in town and available for more SoCal debauchery (and sunshine)!

I registerd mine as a VW Porsche kit car and had no issues, even got vitage plates. But, I'm not in Cali...