Why do people care about CA Black Plates???

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Stuart Zeh
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Why do people care about CA Black Plates???

#1 Post by Stuart Zeh »

Those of us on the East Coast don't get it. What is the significance of a car with Black Plates?? Its just a license plate - right?

S

David Gensler
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#2 Post by David Gensler »

For a detailed examination of this phenomenon (common to all humans, but particularly prominent in California) I recommend reading Dr. T.S. Geisel's classic text "the Sneetches".

"Thems that have stars on thar bellies"
David Gensler

John Alfenito
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#3 Post by John Alfenito »

Or, it could be something as simple as the right plate for the era of the car.
In CA the black-on-yellow plates were issued from 1956-1962; the yellow-on-black plates followed from 1963-1969.
A lot of 356 owners feel their cars look "more correct" with vintage plates.
The fact that these plates are no longer issued by the state, but can be legally re-registered to vintage cars, makes them popular, too.

Image
[url=http://www.infive.com][img]http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u316/WardAutomotiveGruppe/JohnLeaderPics/PixelButton.gif[/img][/url]

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Barry Brisco
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Re: Why do people care about CA Black Plates???

#4 Post by Barry Brisco »

Stuart Zeh wrote:Those of us on the East Coast don't get it. What is the significance of a car with Black Plates?? Its just a license plate - right?

S
Stuart, I assume you are referring to the California "black" license plate that was used from Jan. 1 1963 through 1968. Some California 356 owners like to have license plates that are the correct year for their car. It makes the car look more "vintage", more like it did when it was first purchased from the dealer. This article explains which CA plate types were used in which years:
http://www.356registry.org/Tech/vintage ... es_ca.html
Of course 356 owners in any state might desire to have year-correct plates on their car. But since there are more 356s found in California than in any other US state, the question of vintage CA plates tends to come up more often. (No doubt someone will challenge my assertion of California having the highest population of 356s. I refer them to Registry membership demographics: there are more Registry members in CA than any other state by a wide margin. See http://www.356registry.org/whereweare.html)

Other factors are that cars for sale that have their original plates on them are considered more desirable by some. Also, 356s that have spent their entire life (since leaving the factory) in California may have less rust than those that have lived in states where winter weather is more severe and roads may be salted, thus increasing the rust problem. So you see 356s advertised for sale as California "black plate" cars, the implication being they are in better condition than say a 356 that spent decades on the road in Michigan. The "black plate" term is sometimes abused, in my opinion.

On my 59 A coupe I have the correct 1956 "yellow/black" plates with a 1959 CA DMV registration sticker. I think those plates really add to the appearance of the car. Modern plates on a 356 look strange to me.

Image

If I had a later 356 I would definitely want to get a set of black plates on it.

Image
Barry Brisco
1959 356A Coupe 105553, Ivory / Brown
2009 987 Cayman, Carrera White / Beige (daily driver)

Dave Brenny
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Posts: 98
Joined: Thu Mar 27, 2008 1:04 pm

Why do people care about CA Black Plates???

#5 Post by Dave Brenny »

Stu and All,

As a long time car buff in the upper Midwest, there was always an
allure for a true, "black plate" California car as it implied a car with
long-term ownership in a rust free environment. California was also
considered the center of the car enthusiast's world back in the '50's
and '60s so to have an exotic import such as a Porsche 356 still
sporting its original black California plates adds a lot to its appeal
for us hicks in the Midwest.
BTW, I'm getting to like the new photo feature, that's MY black plate in
the attached photos!
Dave Brenny
'64SC #219829

-----Original Message-----
From: Barry Brisco [mailto:t2coupe@totheweb.com]
Sent: Tuesday, April 08, 2008 9:13 AM
To: 356talk@356registry.com
Subject: [356Talk] Re: Why do people care about CA Black Plates???


Stuart Zeh wrote:
Those of us on the East Coast don't get it. What is the significance
of a car with Black Plates?? Its just a license plate - right?
S
Stuart, I assume you are referring to the California "black" license
plate that was used from Jan. 1 1963 through 1968. Some California 356
owners like to have license plates that are the correct year for their
car. It makes the car look more "vintage", more like it did when it was
first purchased from the dealer. This article explains which CA plate
types were used in which years:
http://www.356registry.org/Tech/vintage ... es_ca.html
Of course 356 owners in any state might desire to have year-correct
plates on their car. But since there are more 356s found in California
than in any other US state, the question of vintage CA plates tends to
come up more often. (No doubt someone will challenge my assertion of
California having the highest population of 356s. I refer them to
Registry membership demographics: there are more Registry members in CA
than any other state by a wide margin. See
http://www.356registry.org/whereweare.html)

Other factors are that cars for sale that have their original plates on
them are considered more desirable by some. Also, 356s that have spent
their entire life (since leaving the factory) in California may have
less rust than those that have lived in states where winter weather is
more severe and roads may be salted, thus increasing the rust problem.
So you see 356s advertised for sale as California "black plate" cars,
the implication being they are in better condition than say a 356 that
spent decades on the road in Michigan. The "black plate" term is
sometimes abused, in my opinion.

On my 59 A coupe I have the correct 1956 "yellow/black" plates with a
1959 CA DMV registration sticker. I think those plates really add to the
appearance of the car. Modern plates on a 356 look strange to me.

[Image: http://www.postimage.org/aV14fnbi.jpg ]
(http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=aV14fnbi)

If I had a later 356 I would definitely want to get a set of black
plates on it.

[Image: http://www.postimage.org/aV14f3e9.jpg ]
(http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=aV14f3e9)

------------------------
Barry Lee Brisco
59 A coupe 105553 Ivory/Brown
http://www.356registry.org/Members/Brisco/
San Mateo, California
Registry Member #16465




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Peter R. Hewes
356 Fan
Posts: 5
Joined: Sat Mar 29, 2008 12:40 pm

California license plate- whatever color

#6 Post by Peter R. Hewes »

Dear 356 Talk, It is my understanding that some folks are concerned about their license plates but for all my years of Porsche involvement ( 50+), I fail to see what significance California black, blue or yellow plates have on the peaceful enjoyment of the Porsche marque. Enough of this drivel about license plates..... Peter R. Hewes Groton, Ct. 1964 Porsche 356C

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#7 Post by Guest »

This topic has at best, very little to do with the 356. It has been beaten mercilessly to death on the talk list in the past. ALL of our email subscribers receive EVERY post about it yet again. The old talk list is searchable for this topic in the 356 registry web site's members only section. www.356registry.org and then click on the Member's only section on the left, put in the password from the magazine and search away. I am locking this thread and requesting that all communication on this topic be private - that is by email or private message, amongst those interested. Thanks.

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