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I contacted a guy that was recommended by someone here that restores license plates. He does a great job. The problem is the color yellow he uses is wrong for the 1951 plates. The color is a great match for the 1963 verity. He is unwilling to locate a paint that is a better match for the 51 plates. It's take it or leave it. He showed me a set of restored 1951 plates he did and they look wonderful except for the color. I don't understand someone who does such a great job with the restoration but doesn't care about the color. With what I paid for the plates to begin with coupled with the DMV cost and the cost to have a frame machined to accept the month year stickers plus his $200 brings the total to around $700. I think for that the color should be right. Am I wrong??

Has anyone had plates done that were done right? Any other recommendations?

I agree with you that for that kind of money the color should be right. It is your money after all!

Well, I can only recommend that you keep shopping. If nothing else, walk the swap meets in your area and you're bound to find someone selling correctly restored plates of the desired year. If the vendor doesn't restore them himself, chances are he knows someone who does.

You used to see more than one vendor like that set up at Fall Hershey, but I haven't been there in nearly five years. I would think that the growing popularity of YOM plates for registration of antiques would have breathed some life into what might otherwise be a dying art.

Hi There,
I'm glad to hear that someone agrees with me about the color match. It's really too bad the guy I found doesn't have the color right. He is only 20 minutes away from me here and does such a great job (except for color)
He told me he rolls the yellow on using a machine that cost him, I think, $6000.00. You would think that a little more investment in the right color paint would be minor. Just had a thought. He maybe learned his trade in prison. I understand they use a similar rolling machine.

Make that 2 that agrees about the match, but it brings up a question. I was under the impression that our beloved DMV was awfully fussy about YOM plates, restored or otherwise and would think correct colors would fall into that category. Is that not a problem with the 51's.

I think it depends on the DMV, the day of the week, and maybe how well he/she is getting along with his/her spouse that day. Kind of like the police department.

Seriously, I think all they want is that you have two readable plates that are DMV clear. They make a black and white photo copy of each plate and send that along with the application to the DMV in Sacramento. I don't think they would have an issue with restored plates as long as the color is not obviously wrong. The yellow would have to be blue or something before they would reject them.

BTW, The plates I am registering to my 51 Packard are the original ones issued to the car in 1951. They were in the trunk. Too bad the yellow 1956 plates with the black letters weren't there too with the 51 plates. Also have the receipt from AAA where they registered the car in September 1951 showing the VIN and the license plate number. AAA probably handed them the plates right there on the spot.

You cant just buy the correct shade of paint and give it to the guy to use?

To me that seams like the shortest distance between two points.

I offered that. He refused. He is an arrogant guy that thinks the world revolves around him. Thinks he knows better than you what you should want.