MFG Plates

[mrelmtow]

I know this may be a long shot but does anybody known what the manufacturer number assigned to Studebaker for a license plate in California in 1962-1963? The picture below is for Shelby America "013".

Mike

[Skip Lackie]

I am not an expert of Calif MFG plates, but I THINK they were issued primarily to manufacturers that had factories in California -- for vehicle testing on the street, etc. So it's possible that Studebaker would not have been issued any after the Vernon plant closed in 1956. On the other hand, Paxton and the Granatellis probably did have several sets. Some old Bonneville photos might show them.

Would be glad to be corrected if my assumption is wrong.

[mrelmtow]

I am not an expert of Calif MFG plates, but I THINK they were issued primarily to manufacturers that had factories in California -- for vehicle testing on the street, etc. So it's possible that Studebaker would not have been issued any after the Vernon plant closed in 1956. On the other hand, Paxton and the Granatellis probably did have several sets. Some old Bonneville photos might show them.

Would be glad to be corrected if my assumption is wrong.

I was told that Paxton did have California MFG plates and was used on my Avanti, one that was a development car. Since you can have custom collector reman black Cali plates, I though it would look good on my car and at least be manufacturer specific correct IF I could find Studebaker's MFG number!

Mike

[Skip Lackie]

I think it unlikely that California will make you a set of MFG plates under the legacy program. They are only available for cars, trucks, trailers, and cycles, presumably in the correct original number format or with a random number. And I believe the vehicle has to be registered in California. There's plenty of info on the Calif DMV website.

That said, there are some private companies that offer custom plates that look quite authentic. Or you could buy an old MFG plate on ebay. They come up now and then, and probably no one will know that it's not the "right" number.

[mrelmtow]

QUOTE=Skip Lackie;n1927718]That said, there are some private companies that offer custom plates that look quite authentic..... [/QUOTE]

That is what I was looking to do.

[StudeRich]

Since we are all "Guessing" how the MFG Plates may have been issued to Paxton in Calif. I think it is quite likely that they would have been issued to "Paxton Products Co." with no need to mention the Parent Corp.
So, No "Studebaker".

The "Dealer" "DLR", Plates looked exactly like the "MFG" Plate shown, the small Numbers and letters at the Left identified the actual "Plate", among the Group (Total) and the Large Number was the Dealer I.D.

Only One was used per Car, and usually attached with Spring Clips to the License Bracket or Bumper on the Rear for temporary use for "Demonstration Drives".

The Owners, Owner's Wife's, Sales Managers, their Wife's and Salesmen (as needed) usually had theirs properly mounted on the rear of all unlicensed Vehicles.