License plates have become popular among people all over the world. Perhaps, license plates on hero cars used in box-office hit movies like Goldfinger, Vanishing Point and Bullitt made these embossed metal movie props a part of popular culture. In countries like Italy and Japan, license plates issued for a vehicle remains with that vehicle until it is junked or exported. At that time, the license plate is removed from the vehicle and ends up as recycled aluminum. In the United States, license plates became popular when the issuing term went from annually to multi-year periods – a windshield expiration decal or a license plate expiration “tag” were issued annually. In the United States, the word “tag” is used to describe license plates.
Sean Connery, as James Bond posing with his Aston Martin with the Popular British license plate: BMT 216A on the set of the movie, Goldfinger. (Image courtesy of montrealgazette.com)
The famous Colorado license plate with the number OA-5599 from the movie, Vanishing Point. (Image courtesy of moparconnectionmagazine.com)
California license plate with the number JJZ 109 used in the movie Bullitt. (Image courtesy of silodrome.com)
Japanese car collectors are now beginning to seek old Japanese license plates for their restored Toyota and Datsun (now Nissan) cars and true replicas are only available from Fort Lauderdale, Florida based www.licenseplates.tv. Italian car collectors from around the world are usually the wealthy set because collectable cars can be high priced brands like Ferrari, Alfa Romeo and Lamborghini. Unfortunately, original Italian license plates for these fine Italian collectables were destroyed when exported and only photographs or license plate numbers from vehicle registrations give collectors a clue to the original license plates. With the help of legendary Ferrari collector Mr. Peter Kalikow of Manhattan, New York, www.licenseplates.tv has been able to accurately engineer the tools and dies to manufacture license plates from Italy issued from 1927. License plates for Vespa mopeds and Ducati motorcycles are also available for collectors.
Some car collectors seek old replica custom license plates for nostalgic reasons. These individuals may have inherited a car or a collection of cars from their parents or relative. We hear many anecdotes told by car collectors from around the world. License plates are not just some piece of metal with numbers and letters stamped into them. For many, they are much more than that.
People have emotions embedded in each number. Years before smartphone selfies, people were car-proud and often took photos of themselves next to their prized automobiles. These folks usually use these old photos as reference to get the correct year of issue and license plate number for a car which perhaps belonged to a special loved one. People who own old cars and want a license plate from the Year of Manufacture (YOM) of their “collectable” are growing daily and this is a phenomenon happening all over the world. Americans are the premier car collectors in terms of numbers, but Australians and Saudis are also some of the most ardent car collectors on the planet.
Apart from obvious collections of high end automobiles, Saudis tend to restore Chevys, Fords and Toyotas which were handed down by fathers and grandfathers. Now young Saudis are seeking replica Saudi license plates which were issued many decades ago to add a final touch of authenticity to their restored cars. The dry desert climate of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (especially in inland cities like Riyadh) add to the ease of restoring antique cars. Also, there is no snowy winters where salt is used on roadways, so car bodies are preserved quite well. The blazing hot Saudi summers tend to affect the car interiors and exterior paint, but cars are rust-free, and this is the reason why so many well preserved older cars can be found in Saudi Arabia. Saudi car collectors are passionate about their classic cars and many are also matching “older” Saudi license plates to reflect the year of manufacture to bring back memories of the “good old days”.
A finely restored classic car inside of a Saudi Arabia Museum. (Image courtesy of team-bhp.com)
VW beetle in Cuba used in marriage proposal –licenseplates.tv replicated the Cuban license plate.
Recently California started issuing digital license plates and many Americans think this an “overkill” use of technology. Motorists are fuming because the cost for a pair digital license plates is $699 + $7/month fee for access. A pair of aluminum license plates costs the state less than $3, so these folks have every right to be angry. Even if prices go down for digital license plates, the $7 monthly fee is high for most motorists. Digital license plates seems to be the same as having digital tablets on the front and rear end of your vehicle.
California digital license plate (Image courtesy of cnn.com)
In states like California, front license plates are constantly being damaged when drivers park in a walled area. Thousands of front digital license plates will have to be replaced annually. Also Automatic License Plate Readers (ALPR) cameras may not be able “scan” digital license plates. Some of these devices are GPS enabled, and law enforcement devices may not be able to get a GPS reading from them within tunnels or enclosed parking garages. These physical and technical limitations could prevent digital license plates from becoming a mainstream accessory for motor vehicle identification.
Add the high cost factor of digital license plates, invasion of privacy due to digital tracking device in each digital license plate, and the chance that digital license plates mounted on the front bumper of cars can be easily destroyed while parking, market penetration will be extremely difficult. Of course, digital license plates will never become prized or collectable among automotive enthusiasts. These just lack the look, feel and warmth of embossed aluminum license plates. It should be noted that many of the printed flat license plates or license plates with gaudy designs issued over the past 25 years are not collectable either. It is the simple classic designs of license plates issued before the era of reflective sheeting with screened artwork are most prized and south after by car enthusiasts.
