License Plate Restoration

[jeff68]

In CT, we are allowed to run a license plate from the year of manufacture of the car.  Well, I have the plates that were on my car when it was originally registered when new, but they are in pretty tough shape.  One of them actually has tears in the metal around the mounting holes.

Has anyone had their old license plates restored?  I see that there are quite a few places that do this type of work, but I wanted to get some feedback from people with experience. 

Thanks,
Jeff

[Pex68]

Never had any plates restored but just something you want to check into first...Not sure if CT is the same but here in NJ if you want to put a set of old plates back in service you have to pay up to current, meaning if the plates were out of service for 10 years, you have to pay the back registration fees for those 10 years before you can register the plates as current!!  Stopped me from using an old set of plates...NJ-can't keep their hands out of my pockets!!!!!!

[mrdetails]

One other thing to check into, here in NY you have to take pictures of the plates before any work is done and submit for approval.....

[bbd564]

In CT, we are allowed to run a license plate from the year of manufacture of the car.  Well, I have the plates that were on my car when it was originally registered when new, but they are in pretty tough shape.  One of them actually has tears in the metal around the mounting holes.

Has anyone had their old license plates restored?  I see that there are quite a few places that do this type of work, but I wanted to get some feedback from people with experience. 

Thanks,
Jeff

There was a guy in New Haven, CT that did an OK job for me a few years ago.  I will try to dig up his contact info and send it to you.  Also, I did not know that you can run the old plates in CT.  I have been doing it, but, I figured I would just take my chances.

[maroman]

There's a guy that advertises in Hemming's, way cheap does nice work.  For the vanity crowd, there's a guy on Fordbarn that laser cuts whatever number or letters and tig welds "new"  YOM vanity plates.

[jeff68]

Thanks for the responses.  I was going to have the plates restored before going to register the car, but I figure that I better go to the DMV with the unrestored plates.

Now, my problem is that the number on these old plates is still valid and I actually have it on my 2005 Subaru WRX (obviously, it is on a current style plate).  My father didn't want to give up the number since he got it back in 1943 when he turned 16, so he transferred the number to me when he moved to Maine many years ago.  I'm wondering if the DMV will allow me to run an old plate if the registration number is still valid.  I guess I'll figure that one out when the time comes.

[tom]

Why not move the registration to the Camaro from the WRX? Then just use the old plates instead of the new ones?

Tom

[x77-69z28]

i know in new york, the original plates are considered "Historical" registration. so even if your subaru has the same plate # the camaro would be a historical plate.

[jeff68]

Why not move the registration to the Camaro from the WRX? Then just use the old plates instead of the new ones?

Tom

Now why didn't I think of that? 
Actually, the CT "Early American" (aka antique) registration caps the property tax value of the vehicle at $500, so that would be the only benefit.  I would hate to pay taxes on what the car is actually worth.

[rs/ss camaro collector]

i do restore plates ONLY if your state permits me to RESTORE them.

[lakeholme]

Take a look at this site for info. about what states allow YOM plates and how:

http://www.turnerplates.com/YOM%20Index.html