Collectors and Connoisseurs: The Growing Allure of Vintage License Plates

Vintage license plates have become a huge flex in car collector circles for good reason. Vintage symbolizes authenticity, and for car enthusiasts, nothing says authenticity like a vintage license plate issued the same year the car was made.

 

Vintage license plates are perfect for restorations

 

Now that more people are collecting and restoring classic cars, vintage plates are in high demand. According to Hagerty, around 43 million vehicles in the U.S. qualify as collector cars. Many of those owners are using vintage license plates to complete their vehicle’s aesthetic.

 

When a collector is restoring a 1965 Ferrari or a ‘70s Corvette, authenticity is everything, and attention to detail matters. Vintage plates are the detail that will make any restoration complete. Getting a plate from the actual model year enhances the vehicle’s authenticity and shows people you know what you’re doing. And if you live in California, under the Year-of-Manufacture (YOM) program, you can drive with plates made prior to 1980, as long as your vehicle is registered and has a clean title.

 

While there are plenty of places to get vintage license plates, it’s important to use trusted sources to ensure you aren’t just buying something cheap and flimsy. Licenseplates.tv offers custom license plates printed on high-quality aluminum blanks that replicate various years. You can get custom replica plates from the U.S., Europe, Canada, and other locations across the world to complete your vintage look.

 

Vintage plates can help secure wins at classic car events

 

Judges at classic car events reward details, including authentic license plates. A perfect paint job and shiny chrome are great, but full-period detailing with a plate from the era is impressive. It’s also the gold standard for shows.

 

Vintage plates on a classic car show the owner is dedicated, went the extra mile, and found the right plate. And if they couldn’t find an original one, they made one themselves. That level of commitment doesn’t go unnoticed by the judges. That vintage license plate can be the final touch that seals a win.

 

Vintage plates can symbolize status

 

Vintage license plates have evolved from collector items to cultural status symbols. Yes, they look great, but they have meaning. Similar to how luxury brands like Bentley, Porsche, or BMW have been a status symbol for years, classic cars with authentic plates are taking on that role as well.  

 

Vintage license plates evoke nostalgia

 

Some people don’t own classic cars, but they like having vintage license plates as décor because it evokes a sense of nostalgia, either from their childhood or a period of time they enjoy.

 

Vintage plates are worth money

 

Although it’s technically just a piece of metal, vintage license plates can fetch thousands of dollars at auctions. For example, a 1921 Alaska plate sold for $67,500 in 2013, a 1928 plate from Massachusetts sold for $43,000 in 2018, and a Pennsylvania plate from 1914 sold for $37,000 in 2011. When plates are produced in limited quantities or have unique designs, they tend to be more valuable. Of course, the better the condition, the higher the value.

 

Personalized plates are also part of this niche. Many personalized plates are worth thousands of dollars. The current record for the most expensive plate purchase is a Delaware plate with the number 11 that sold for $675,000. Similarly, a Texas plate with “12THMAN” on a Texas A&M plate sold for $115,000, and a plate with “HOUSTON” sold for $25,000. People are willing to pay for vintage and personalized plates with rare phrases and unique numbers.

 

Vintage license plates are fun to collect

 

Not every vintage license plate enthusiast collects or restores classic cars. Some only collect the plates. They might display them in a garage, in the background of their videos for an automotive YouTube channel, or use them for craft projects. They’re also perfect for Instagram backdrops to amplify brand image.

 

There are some serious license plate collectors out there who have been at it for years. For example, plate historian Stewart Berg managed to collect 100,000 plates at one point and is considered an expert in the niche. Berg has one of the only collections of presidential inaugural plates, and has obtained rare and unique plates from inside sources for years. That’s dedication.

 

Vintage plates are authenticity stamps

 

For collections and restorations, vintage license plates add that final touch of authenticity. Whether you’re restoring a rare muscle car, creating a garage lounge, or just want to impress your neighbors on a Sunday cruise, the right plates will tell an historically accurate story.

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