Los Angeles Times: Nostalgic Black License Plates Are Soon Hitting the Road

Los Angeles Times | Melanie Mason
June 5, 2014

A little retro flair will soon be hitting California roadways, as the Department of Motor Vehicles announced this week it has begun producing historic black license plates...

...Now, they're back on the presses, thanks to a 2012 law by Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-Los Angeles) which instructed the DMV to start producing the iconic plates if the department received at least 7,500 applications for the plates.

"California motorists are excited about classic license plates," Gatto said in a statement. "Aside from not salting our roads, California doesn't do much for automobile enthusiasts."
The historic plates program "is an easy way for the state to enable everyone from the backyard restorer, to the nostalgic, to the purchaser of a retro-styled automobile to add that extra bit of detail for those of use who appreciate the classic era of automobile design," he said.

Under Gatto's legislation, AB 1658, the DMV can also produce yellow plates with black lettering, a design from the 1950s, and blue plates with yellow lettering, recalling the 1970s...

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You can read this article and more at the LOS ANGELES TIMES by clicking HERE.

Mike Gatto is the Chairman of the Appropriations Committee in the California State Assembly.  He represents Burbank, Glendale, La Cañada Flintridge, La Crescenta, Montrose, and the Los Angeles neighborhoods of Atwater Village, East Hollywood, Franklin Hills, Hollywood Hills, Los Feliz, and Silver Lake.  www.asm.ca.gov/gatto  

Assemblyman Mike Gatto Is Taking Los Angeles License Plates Back In Time

A few weeks ago we shared that there is an effort to take California license plates back to a more simpler, classic time by way reproducing plates from the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. The effort is very small and would bring a very design friendly plate to California cars, allowing your car to make a statement without you actually having to do all that much at the DMV. It only makes sense that such a “cool” little effort was started by an LA person. Who is responsible for it? Assemblyman Mike Gatto, a native Angeleno who represents the 43rd District, an area that covers Silver Lake, Glendale, Atwater Village, Burbank, Los Feliz, and more.

Gatto is one of those “cool” politician who is fighting the good fight in all the best ways. Annoyed about getting a ticket on a broken parking meter? Mike Gatto just fixed that. Think we need more dog parks? Gatto’s on that. Annoyed you were a small batch food producer who couldn’t sell goods? Mike took care of that too. He definitely knows what civic issues to take care of and is doing some pretty wild things in his position. We had a quick chat with him about his latest effort—the Legacy License Plates—to learn more about where the idea came from and what he needs to make it a reality.

The Legacy License Plate project is something that has gotten a great response from people as they bring a vintage, minimal license plate aesthetic to modern and classic cars. What sparked the idea to bring them back?

California Government doesn’t do much for the thousands of car enthusiasts in our state, and most laws that apply to them tell them they can’t do certain things. The idea came to me after seeing all the different license plates legislators were pushing, things like “save the whales” plates and such. I tried to think of the one type of plate that car collectors really wanted, in original DMV form. So many collectors buy old plates at swap meets, only to find they are forgeries or not what they wanted. This is a way to get original DMV plates, personalized how a collector wants them, for their classic cars.

Do you feel that the project resonates with a specific type of Californian? Are you guys finding that the people supporting the project are a certain “type”?

This project is a natural fit for any Californian, since we are a state where car culture means a lot to us. There’s a lot of nostalgia for the great models and looks of the past.

What obstacles do you see coming the way of the Legacy project? It seems like such a cool, design friendly, “Duh!” project that surely will pass.

The only obstacle is reaching the 7,500 mark for each plate. So far the response has been good, especially for the black plate, with over 4,200 approved applications. We could see those in production as early as next January if the numbers stay consistent. But people should apply ASAP.

How have Angelenos been responding to the project? Do you imagine it has the potential to change the license plate landscape in the city?

At this point, we have no official breakdown of where the registrations are coming from, but I would imagine that Angelenos have been a major part of it. I attend car shows in the area from time to time, and I get some nice “thank yous” from area residents too!

How quickly could these plates start rolling out? The deadline is in 2015 but could they be released earlier if there is enough support?

If the registration keeps its current pace, we could see the black plates as soon as next January. This is one of those things where, the more word gets out, the better it is for everyone. Remember, the first guy who ordered has to wait for the 7500th to order, for the DMV to actually start making the plates, since it’s a cost issue. Thanks for your help in spreading the word!

This is all very exciting and we can most definitely see these becoming a “thing” amongst the LA design clique, becoming a marker of your forward thinking tastes. We hope so! Although we don’t think that they suit our really terrible 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle that we hate, we will likely be getting us these plates to help support the effort. Learn more about the Legacy Plates here and pre-order them from this form here. Be sure to check out Mike’s website here and follow him on Twitter for live updates

This article originally appeared in "Los Angeles I'm Yours."  You can read this article and more  HERE

Check these out! Sample vintage license plates from my AB 1658

Check these out! My AB 1658 last year allowed car buffs to order actual classic plates. These are samples.

For more information or to order your vintage license plate, visit: http://www.asmdc.org/members/a43/the-california-legacy-license-plate-program/

Mike Gatto is the Chairman of the Appropriations Committee in the California State Assembly.  He represents Burbank, Glendale, La Cañada Flintridge, La Crescenta, Montrose, and the Los Angeles neighborhoods of Atwater Village, East Hollywood, Franklin Hills, Hollywood Hills, Los Feliz, and Silver Lake.  www.asm.ca.gov/gatto 

Black Plate Special: California Revives Vintage License Plates

From "The Rodder's Journal"

The original California Yellow and Black plate issued 1956-1963, as seen on the
Lloyd Bakan '32 Ford Coupe, currently owned by Don Orosco, Monterey, CA
Photo from The Rodder's Journal

Last September, California passed a bill that established the state’s Legacy License Plate program. Officially launched January 1, 2013 the program revives the famous “California Black Plates,” originally issued in the ’60s, as well as the yellow plates from the ’50s, and blue plates from the ’70s. It was initiated by California Assemblyman Mike Gatto, a vintage car enthusiast who oversees the district just north of Los Angeles that includes Burbank and Glendale. Aaron Moreno, Legislative Director from the Office of Assemblyman Gatto, reports that DMV pre-orders for the specialty plates are doing well. However, a minimum of 7,500 of each plate style must be ordered and pre-approved by the state before production of any one style will begin.

The original Black and Gold plate, first issued in 1963, as seen on a
1932 Ford Roadster owned by Pat Ganahl, Glendale, CA
Photo from The Rodder's Journal

From our perspective, this is a worthwhile program that adds one more element of authenticity to our period-styled hot rods and customs. We hope that spreading the word will help make this effort a success, and that other states will consider following suit.

California originally issued black license plates with gold lettering in 1963. While most states require that license plates stay with the registered owner, California allows them to be transferred with the car from one owner to the next. There are still quite a few cars that retain these desirable black plates from the ’60s. Equally coveted are yellow plates with black lettering, issued from ’56 to ’63, and blue plates with yellow lettering issued from ’69 until the early-’80s.

The original Blue and Yellow plate issued 1969-1983 as seen on the
Jim "Jake" Jacobs '34 Ford coupe, currently owned by Jerry Slover of Peculiar, Missouri
Photo from The Rodder's Journal

The replica plates offered through the program are available in standard sequential alpha-numeric format or as vanity plates. The main difference from the original plates is that the replicas are “reflectorized” (chemically coated to reflect light) to comply with state law. Within the first month, 3,500 pre-orders were placed among all three license plate styles. The minimum of 7,500 pre-approved orders per plate must be received by January 1, 2015 for the program to move forward.

The pre-order cost is $50, and you can download your order form here. For a list of Frequently Asked Questions and payment information, visit Assemblyman Gatto's Website HERE.

Mike Gatto is the chairman of the Appropriations Committee of the California State Assembly. He represents Burbank, Glendale, La Cañada-Flintridge, La Crescenta, Montrose, and the Los Angeles neighborhoods of Los Feliz, Silver Lake, Atwater Village, and portions of the Hollywood Hills and East Hollywood.   www.asm.ca.gov/gatto

California OKs Retro Plates

Highlights from Blake Z. Rong's article in Autoweek and FOX Sports SPEED:

...in March, we reported that California State Assemblyman Mike Gatto was pitching a reissue of vintage California license plates, perfect for your Kaiser-Darrin (black on yellow), your Pontiac Star Chief (yellow on black), or your Holden Hurricane, (yellow on blue).  

At the time it seemed like the pipe dream of a particularly enthusiastic legislator, one whose pet project would be guaranteed to be mired in bureaucratic forgetfulness and left to languish, like the revival of the 30-year smog exemption and the ability to import Audi RS2s. 

But California cool makes a comeback – and the money helps.  

Out of the darkness comes news that Assembly Bill 1658 has not only passed the gilded pen of Governor Jerry Brown, but will take effect at this juncture, three days into the new year. 

Enthusiasts can pay $50 to reserve any of the three almost-period-correct styles. California will need 7,500 detail-sweating obsessives to lay down deposits by Jan. 1, 2015, to make the program work; furthermore, it will need $385,000 to cover start-up costs, which the application fees will cover. If the program fails to meet these numbers, applicants will get their money refunded...  

...The plates will be available both sequentially numbered and personalized, with due consideration to not issue character sets. Imagine the Kafka-esque nightmare that would ensue. Happily, you won't have to go to your DMV to experience Gregor Samsa's nightmare, as local offices won't accept applications. If you want a nuevo-retro plate, mail a check to Sacramento, along with the accompanying form. 

This story originally appeared at Autoweek.com.   

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You can read the entire article and more at FOX Sports SPEED

Mike Gatto is the Chairman of the Appropriations Committee of the California State Assembly.  He represents the cities of Burbank, Glendale, La Canada-Flintridge, La Crescenta, Montrose, the Los Angeles neighborhoods of Los Feliz, Silver Lake, Atwater Village, and portions of the Hollywood Hills and East Hollywood.   www.asm.ca.gov/gatto  

California taking orders for replicas of vintage license plates

Highlights from Patrick McGreevey's article in the Los Angeles Times:

...The styles available for use as official license plates on cars include black lettering over a yellow background as issued in the 1950s, yellow lettering over a black background last issued in the 1960s and yellow lettering over a blue background previously available in the 1970s, according to the DMV. 

The state is taking pre-orders for the $50 plates and will issue each of the three styles when it receives 7,500 applications for that style... 

...A pre-order form must be accompanied by a check, money order or cashier’s check and cannot be processed at DMV field offices or Auto Club offices. 

The program was proposed by Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D–Silver Lake) who introduced legislation authorizing it...

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You can read this article and more at the LA Times by clicking HERE

Order your California Legacy License Plate HERE

Find out more about the Legacy License Plate program HERE

Mike Gatto is the Chairman of the Appropriations Committee of the California State Assembly.  He represents the cities of Burbank, Glendale, La Canada-Flintridge, La Crescenta, Montrose, the Los Angeles neighborhoods of Los Feliz, Silver Lake, Atwater Village, and portions of the Hollywood Hills and East Hollywood.   www.asm.ca.gov/gatto  

Golden plates: Car buffs laud plan to bring back iconic colors

Donna P. Crilly
September 22, 2012

Classic car owners generally have a few things in common. Aside from a love of an era of cars when baby boomers were still babies, enthusiasts typically have money to spend and time to restore their classic models to a “T.”

But there’s one thing they don’t have in common. Not all classic car owners can buy the original license plates. The look, for some, isn’t complete without a nod to the black on yellow, yellow on black or yellow on blue plates.

Not anymore if Gov. Jerry Brown signs AB 1658, a piece of legislation that would allow classic car enthusiasts to pre-order replica plates with the look and colors of the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s. (Update: Brown signed AB 1658 on Sept. 28.)

Assemblyman Mike Gatto, D-Los Angeles, introduced the bill to the State Assembly, which unanimously passed it in May. Gatto said he wanted to do something “nice” for California car owners by bringing forth the legislation.

“It just seemed like a good idea,” Gatto said. “We have a very confusing set of regulations. There’s things like red light cameras and all sorts of things that are a pain in the butt for people who drive. This is just something nice that I think the state can do.”

Gatto said that if Brown signs AB 1658 into law, car owners can begin pre-ordering the classic-style plates in January 2013 for a $50 fee per plate plus a $40 registration renewal fee. If 7,500 plates are ordered by Jan. 1, 2014, the DMV will begin printing and disseminating them.

Gatto said meeting the quota of 7,500 pre-ordered plates shouldn’t be a problem, though. Local San Diego County car enthusiasts agree.

“Even a car guy that doesn’t have a classic car will get it,” said Dino Iacovino, owner of a 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air four-door station wagon.

Iacovino flaunted his Chevy Bel Air at Classic Car Nights along Pacific Coast Highway in Encinitas on Sept. 13. He had his car parked, windows rolled down, trunk up and a binder with pictures of the model out for passersby to stop and peruse through.

Another North County resident posted up in a beach chair next to his baby blue beauty while a surf rock band played classic tunes at Classic Car Nights. Darryl Gassaway sat and smoked a wooden tobacco pipe while talking about his love for classic cars and for his late wife, with whom he planned to travel to world. He said that because his wife passed away, he decided to refocus his money toward restoring his car.

Gassaway reflected on when his love for cars began.

“I came out of the womb kicking and screaming, holding a gear shift,” Gassaway said.

So far, Gassaway has spent more than $30,000 restoring his 1956 Chrysler DeSoto – and it’s still not done. He said that if the legislation passes, he would buy a retro-style plate.

“If the state of California were to make it available for a one-time fee of $50-$100 to buy that plate and put it on my car, I’d be more than willing to pay it,” Gassaway said.

Some classic car owners worry that the retro-looking license plates may lower the value of the cars already fitted with the original plates. However, Doug Jones, Classic Car Nights coordinator and director of the Encinitas Community Emergency Response Team, says the opposite.

“When you have an original plate – like I have an original yellow with black lettering, never been restored, still original – and it says on it ‘Y56,’ it adds $1,500 value to the vehicle,” Jones said.

The “Y56” stands for “year 56,” the year the license plate was issued, which is what will likely set the plates apart, according to Jones.

Jones said the DMV will be very articulate about distinguishing what’s an original plate and what’s not, and says car buffs will easily be able to tell the difference.

Gatto says another difference between the original and the retro-style plates is the reflective coating seen on modern plates, which makes it easier for California Highway Patrol officers to scan cars. The new wave of retro-style plates will have the coating. Original plates do not, according to Gatto.

Donna P. Crilly is a North County freelance writer



You can this article and more at the North Coast Current by clicking HERE

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Mike Gatto is the Chairman of the Appropriations Committee of the California State Assembly.  He represents the cities of Burbank, Glendale, and the Los Angeles neighborhoods of Los Feliz and Silver Lake.  E-mail Mike at: assemblymember.gatto@assembly.ca.gov, or call (818) 558-3043.

Website of Assemblyman Mike Gatto: www.asm.ca.gov/gatto

California DMV stands to make some money issuing vintage plates

October 4, 2012 |  8:51 am

For an extra $50, California car enthusiasts will soon be able to order vintage license plates, including the black plates with yellow lettering issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles in the 1960s, thanks to action taken by Gov. Jerry Brown.

Among the hundreds of bills signed by the governor last week, AB 1658 is aimed at Californians who restore and drive vintage automobiles, as well as residents who are just nostalgic for the good old days.
Other plates to be offered after Jan. 1 include those used in the 1950s, with a yellow background and black lettering, and those issued in the 1980s, with a blue background and yellow lettering.

The DMV will only produce one of the designs once 7,500 applications have been received for that design statewide. The cost of producing the plates would be covered by the money raised If the minimum number of each of the three designs are sold. State officials hope additional plates are ordered to bring money to the financially struggling DMV.

"AB 1658 will enable the backyard auto restorer, the nostalgic, or the owner of a brand-new retro-styled automobile to choose a license plate that best matches the look of their car while making a little money for the state too," said Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-Silver Lake), who introduced the bill.


-- Patrick McGreevy in Sacramento
Photo: California next year will offer vintage license plates, like the one shown on this Thunderbird. Credit: Don Kelsen / Los Angeles Times

You can read this article and more at the LA Times by clicking HERE

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Mike Gatto is the Chairman of the Appropriations Committee of the California State Assembly.  He represents the cities of Burbank, Glendale, and the Los Angeles neighborhoods of Los Feliz and Silver Lake.  E-mail Mike at: assemblymember.gatto@assembly.ca.gov, or call (818) 558-3043.

Website of Assemblyman Mike Gatto: www.asm.ca.gov/gatto

Car Nostalgia Gets A Boost

Bill lands on governor's desk that revives California's vintage license plates

By Kevin Riggs  |  Thursday, Aug 16, 2012  |  Updated 3:53 PM PDT

After a summer of strife in Sacramento over missing park funds, competing tax proposals, and bickering over pensions, lawmakers actually did something nice Thursday.

They sent Gov. Jerry Brown a bill that, in a nod to nostalgia, allows the state to revive and re-issue license plates seen on California cars in the 1950s, '60s, '70s, and '80s.

In a state steeped in car culture, it's going to be a popular move.  It means that car collectors who don't have the original plates from their vehicle's era can apply to the DMV to issue a set.

In the 1950s, California license plates were yellow with black nnumbers. In the 1960s, the colors switched - the plates were black and the numbers yellow.

Jerry Brown certainly remembers, since he grew up in San Francisco in the 1950s and lived in Los Angeles during the 1960s, where he began his political career.

Assemblyman Mike Gatto, D-Los Angeles, authored this little road trip back in time.  He told colleagues earlier this year, "This bill would actually do something nice for those who collect and preserve our car heritage."

For collectors big (like Jay Leno) and car collectors small, the bill would also mean protection from counterfeiters who currently pass off fake vintage plates as the real thing.

There is this caveat.  The program has to pay for itself. Assuming the governor signs the bill,  the so-called Legacy License Plate Series would only get off the ground if 7,500 applications are received by January of 2015.  Customers have to be willing to shell out an extra 50 dollars.

But given the car shows, road rallies, and cruise nights that dot California's calendar, it's a good bet that car buffs will step up to this "plate" and bring a bit of innocent nostalgia back to the future.

Author Kevin Riggs, an Emmy-winning former TV reporter in Sacramento, is Senior Vice President at Randle Communications.  Read this article and more at NBC 4 HERE

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Mike Gatto is the Chairman of the Appropriations Committee of the California State Assembly.  He represents Los Feliz, Silver Lake, and portions of Atwater Village along with the cities of Burbank and Glendale.  His web site is asm.ca.gov/gatto or  e-mail Mike at: assemblymember.gatto@assembly.ca.gov, or call him at (818) 558-3043.