Curbside Finds: The Curious World of Collector License Plates

In Washington, collector vehicle plates are five digits with an option for alpha numeric. No tabs.

 

First let me acknowledge that we are talking about automotive license plates here, not some painted ceramic wall hanging by Franklin Mint. We are also not talking about “vanity” license plates, which had their day but now seem passe. Collector plates vary from state to state, but are usually available for cars and trucks between 20 and 30 years old. Said collector cars may not be used for “regular transportation in the manner of a fully licensed vehicle.” And once the plates are in place, there are no tabs (renewal stickers) ever.

 

This super clean ’81 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme is definitely ready for a car show.

 

In Washington state, your vehicle must be over 30 years old, have a current registration, and be capable of operating on the highway. It must be owned and operated as a collector vehicle, and may only be driven “to and from auto shows, circuses, parades, displays, special excursions, and antique car club meetings.” This all seems rife for abuse, but who am I to judge? I just like old cars. So, let’s check out some more collector plates (and the vehicles they’re attached to).

 

No front plate is required for collector vehicles.

 

It looks like this Cutlass was sold by Cornell GM, a Chevy Olds Cadillac dealer in Victoria, B.C. Canada. How this car survived so well on Vancouver Island is a mystery. This example of a 4-gen Cutlass Supreme went through a few more changes before GM could finally say “This is not your father’s Oldsmobile” (1988). But this was definitely someone’s father’s Olds. Nice job, eh!

 

First-Gen Dodge Ram 250 loaded with broken concrete.

 

This Dodge Ram 250 is probably an ’86 or ’87, so it’s plenty old enough for collector plates. But this truck isn’t heading to the circus.

 

The “250” designation was for three-quarter-ton trucks.

 

With its headache rack and makeshift sideboards, I’d say this collector truck is heading to the dump, not a parade.

 

Perfect candidate for the Gambler 500, which helps to clean up public lands.

 

Or maybe, with the matte-black hood and front-mounted spare, this rig is getting ready for the AlCan 5000. No, I mean Gambler 500.

 

VW Fox wagon with a safety belt retraction problem.

 

Let’s sneak in at least one import model collector car. This ’87 or ’88 Volkswagen Fox wagon looks like a fun, practical rig for VW car meets.

 

VW Fox wagon ready for the grocery store or the car club meet-up.

 

This little Fox still has its original front plate, which must not be a problem as long as there’s a collector plate in back. It’s still a cool car and that’s all that counts here.

 

1942 Studebaker Commander with restored plates.

 

In Washington, restored plates may be displayed on the front and rear of the vehicle. They must be from the same year the car was manufactured, which makes life easier for car-spotters. This comes into play with older vehicles like the Studebaker above.

 

Rear dealer frame reads Ashe Motor, Bellingham.

 

There was a time when you could tell what city a car was from by the first letter on the license plate. In this case the sixth letter in the alphabet corresponded with Bellingham, the sixth most populated city in Washington. This practice continued into at least the ’60s or ’70s. Back in the day, my ’50 Buick was FAB 099 and my ’66 Chevelle was FBU 099.

 

Possibly one of the final Studebakers to come off the line before WWII.

 

This Commander looks like an older refresh that’s ready for a parade. It’s usually parked in front of an automotive services store as eye candy.

 

Late 4-gen Olds Cutlass Supreme with collector plates.

 

Let’s bookend this post with another Olds. This ’85 or ’86 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme has sustained some damage to the rear flank, presumably after the collector plates were added. I couldn’t see if it had the velour Brougham interior, and this example was also missing the hood ornament. Sad to see it like this, but definitely not ready for prime time.

 

Collector cars don’t usually have a donut tire holding up the rear.

 

Compared to the white beauty at the top, this ’85 Cutlass sports a more bloated profile. It was closer to the end of the 4-gen models, and to the subsequent ad campaign for “This is not your father’s Oldsmobile.”  Maybe this one was Dad’s.