Chris, sorry but you're out of luck, please read below, this is California Vehicle code section 5004.1. Since your Beck is registered as a 1990, it doesn't qualify for old plates.
5004.1. (a) An owner of any vehicle that is a 1962 or older model year vehicle may, after the requirements for the registration of the vehicle have been 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. The department may consult with an organization of old car hobbyists in determining whether the date of year of the license plate to be used corresponds to the model year date when the vehicle was manufactured.
(b) A fee of thirty-five dollars ($35) shall be charged for the application for 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). When payment of a regular vehicle renewal fee is not required by this code, the holder of any license plates with a date corresponding to the model year may retain the plates upon payment of an annual fee of twenty dollars ($20), which shall be due at the expiration of the registration year of the vehicle to which the plate was last assigned under this section.
(d) Whenever any person who has been 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.
Larry
