by Andrea L. Algar
Motorheads Performance
As I announced a few days ago, our friend Rod Hemmick, who is an expert when it comes to old, vintage license plates for classic cars, antiques, old trucks and muscle cars has prepared some great information for Classic Car News on the history of Texas license plates and information on obtaining and using old license plates for your ride. The series of articles will start next week!
Motorheads Performance
As I announced a few days ago, our friend Rod Hemmick, who is an expert when it comes to old, vintage license plates for classic cars, antiques, old trucks and muscle cars has prepared some great information for Classic Car News on the history of Texas license plates and information on obtaining and using old license plates for your ride. The series of articles will start next week!
Motorheads Performance has benefited from Rod's expertise since 2008 or so when we first got together to talk cars. We were so impressed with his knowledge about old license plates, as well as his skills in restoration of old plates. Guy Algar and I learned that there's a lot that goes into the process of restoring old or vintage plates. It requires great detail, use of correct paints and colors, and it's not cheap, but for those who have a set of plates that may have been original to the car, or perhaps plates that were owned by a father or grandfather, sometimes it isn't all about the price. Rod's work has been sold to collectors and enthusiasts from all over the country.
Prices for a good set of YOM plates can go for $250 or more, while nice NOS plates might be found for $50 or more. Prices can vary between states, the year of the plate, and because of the condition of the plate itself. Some years and states are more difficult to find than others because of their current popularity for example.
Sets, or pairs, are usually always more desirable, and more expensive. Sometimes, you can find a random, single plate at a car show or on-line for short money, but in general those who handle old license plates know the value and price them accordingly. A really inexpensive plate may not have a match to make a pair, or be in too rough a shape to be approved for use on the road. It's value may be primarily for wall art. Rod will address many of these issues in his articles.
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| 1954 Michigan Plate |
Take a look at this recent rare California license plate, listed on eBay, which looked like it was settling to sell for $177.50 for the single plate. Meanwhile, the Michigan plate had a Buy It Now price of only $4.99, but it was certainly not road-worthy in it's present condition. And, as we wrote in our article, Old Licenses Are Poised To Draw Top Dollar At Upcoming Auctions, prices can go very, very high!
Rod offers up this advice, "The best place to find a set of license plates for your ride is eBay or an automotive swap meet. One of the biggest automotive swap meets held in Texas is the Pate Swap Meet in April which is held at the Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas. The 2013 Pate Swap Meet will include a classic car auction in addition to the swap meet!" I offer that if you can't make it there, consider the New Braunfels Swap Meet in April each year. Nationally, and probably best known is the Pomona Swap Meet, in Pomona, California, which has 7 events each year specifically for classic car enthusiasts! Mark your calendars and we'll see you there!
Since we're right in the middle of a very active swap meet and car show season, I wanted to be sure to get information you can benefit from right away. We just published a list of August 2012 Events this week. We will continue with this event listing, and we look forward to bringing you Rod's informational series on old license plates and information on how you can contact Rod with any questions you may have on the history of old license plates.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Andrea L. Algar is co-owner of a classic car performance and restoration design shop in Leesville, Texas. Motorheads Performance specializes in repairs, maintenance, performance upgrades and restorative work on cars and trucks from the 1920’s through 1970’s. Her husband Guy L. Algar is a Mechanical Engineer with over 25 years experience. He holds 5 ASE Certifications from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence and has been working on old cars and trucks for over 37 years. Together they share their passion for old cars and trucks with other enthusiasts from around the country.
