Thread: California Black Plates

Tweet

I've seen several ads for period cars being marketed in California which state that the vehicle has the original black/yellow plates. I knew this was a desirable feature for a vehicle that was going to be registered in CA, but I had no idea that some of these plates are quite valuable. I ran into a young fellow last week who is very much into Shelby memorabilia, and very knowledgeable about everything associated with Shelby American back in the early days. He had just returned from a day trip to bring back a matched pair of mid-60's California Manufacturer's Plates that were assigned to Shelby American, and then issued out to dealer for use on Cobra's and GT 350's back in the day. Apparently there were about 75 sets originally, six were stolen from Shelby back in the mid '70's, and the remaining plates have become collector's items for owners lucky enough to have an original car.

This matched pair is valued in the five figure range, significantly greater than $10K but less than $100K

DSC00598.JPG

My '66 F100 has the original black California plates. I doubt mine are worth anything close to 5 figures!

Originally Posted by randyr

My '66 F100 has the original black California plates. I doubt mine are worth anything close to 5 figures!

Yeah, the mystique of these is that 1L Manufacturer Code, which was Shelby's.

Originally Posted by rspears

Yeah, the mystique of these is that 1L Manufacturer Code, which was Shelby's.

Mine have the mystique of the "S75" which was code for many West LA dealerships.... The truck was built in San Jose but first sold (according to an old Ford parts counter guru from my truck forum) at a now defunct West LA Ford dealer....based on the license plate number. Sometimes I toy with the idea of moving from California but I don't wanna give up my black plates!

Geez, I'm too cheap to plunk down the extra money for personalized plates!!!!!!!

OK, so I'll do the California black plates for 5 figures one better. Learned today of a vintage Cobra T-shirt from back in the day that sold on evilBay for $2000 I cannot imagine anyone valuing a T-shirt at $2000, especially a T-shirt that's almost 50 years old!

Would you be impressed if someone shared that they'd paid $2K for the T-shirt they're wearing? Gotta say, I'd be thinking that 1) someone has entirely too much disposable income, 2) he's a f'ing idiot, or 3) he has entirely too much disposable income, AND he's a f'ing idiot.

2K for a 50 year old Tee shirt? and they were wearing it? If I had the coin to toss away.. I guess I wouldn't mind owning it? But I think I'd prefer to have it framed and protected.. but I doubt I'd enjoy that whole scenario..

2 Grand? I could get another mill! Or a rotary table.. or a larger lathe- maybe with a bunch of tooling! Or????? LOL..

Originally Posted by 34_40

2K for a 50 year old Tee shirt? and they were wearing it? If I had the coin to toss away.. I guess I wouldn't mind owning it? But I think I'd prefer to have it framed and protected.. but I doubt I'd enjoy that whole scenario..

2 Grand? I could get another mill! Or a rotary table.. or a larger lathe- maybe with a bunch of tooling! Or????? LOL..

Exactly!! A f'ing T-Shirt?? Give me a break!!!

I guess for that person, it really was "disposable income!"

wELL there are some of my old shirts/jackets framed in some private collections and a military museum is about to finalize the acquichan of my old uniforms
they don't fit me any more

Originally Posted by jerry clayton

wELL there are some of my old shirts/jackets framed in some private collections and a military museum is about to finalize the acquichan of my old uniforms. they don't fit me any more

So if an old generic Cobra T-shirt brought $2000 on eBay, a genuine Jerry Clayton ought to be what, $10,000 minimum?

I think my whole Navy sea bag went to a costume shop about 40 years ago! If yours are being "acquired" it sounds like you're gonna be getting rich! Maybe you can get several places in a bidding war for them!

Just "poking the bear" a bit, as Mike would say, or rather as johnboy would say about Mike. Guess that the "poking the bear" syndrome may be contagious

I paid a little over $3K for a set of California black plates about 5 years ago.....but mine came with a free truck attached.......

Roger-the Army uniforms took some pushing-they are in real good shape but local museum didn't initially want them when I offered-----soooooooooo, A little of those who knows who thingies-and I cleaned out some closet space---

I wonder what my genuine 65 Winter Nationals t-shirt signed by the "Snake" would bring?IMG_5566.jpgIMG_5564.jpg

Originally Posted by rspears

I've seen several ads for period cars being marketed in California which state that the vehicle has the original black/yellow plates. I knew this was a desirable feature for a vehicle that was going to be registered in CA, but I had no idea that some of these plates are quite valuable. I ran into a young fellow last week who is very much into Shelby memorabilia, and very knowledgeable about everything associated with Shelby American back in the early days. He had just returned from a day trip to bring back a matched pair of mid-60's California Manufacturer's Plates that were assigned to Shelby American, and then issued out to dealer for use on Cobra's and GT 350's back in the day. Apparently there were about 75 sets originally, six were stolen from Shelby back in the mid '70's, and the remaining plates have become collector's items for owners lucky enough to have an original car.

This matched pair is valued in the five figure range, significantly greater than $10K but less than $100K

Attachment 60568

I have no idea how manufacturers plates are designated, but here's a picture of Steve McQueen in a Cobra with "013" number but with a "1D" mfg designation. Does anyone know the difference? Was "013" the mfg designation & the "1D' etc the plate number?

Mick