License plate theft?

[Asshat]

Has anyone encounterd licens plate theft? A lot of these older vehicles have vintage license plates and could be a target of thieves. Just wondering if anyone here has implemented any anti-theft devices for license plates. The standard ones that come to mind are security bolts. However, if a thief is clever enough, he could carry the tools to remove these bolts, since they are easy to get.

[The Rocknrod]

One of the reasons they make U-Haul.

[rpmerf]

Instead of a screw, use a bolt. Put a nut on the back with lock tight red, or a lock nut. This should make the nut spin with the bolt unless you have a wrench to hold it. Most thieves will give up if it doesn't come off easily. They expect a phillips screwdriver, 2 screws, done in under a minute. The longer it takes, the higher the risk.

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

I have known quite a few people who had custom plates stolen, but not typical older plates as of yet. Especially since you can now get the new black plates again.

[Asshat]

Originally Posted by rpmerf

Instead of a screw, use a bolt. Put a nut on the back with lock tight red, or a lock nut. This should make the nut spin with the bolt unless you have a wrench to hold it. Most thieves will give up if it doesn't come off easily. They expect a phillips screwdriver, 2 screws, done in under a minute. The longer it takes, the higher the risk.

True.
I was thinking a security bolt, and a nylock nut.
Next step wqoould be safety wire on the bolt, behind the plate.

[Dead Parrot]

Use nuts with the nylon lock rings. Use longer bolts then normally needed so it takes longer to get the nuts off. Most plates come with 4 holes. Use all four. Use a couple different sizes of bolts and nuts to make the thief change or adjust tools. As mentioned, more time for the thief is higher risk.

[rpmerf]

Here is a kit with security torx bolts:
https://www.amazon.com/Anti-Theft-Li.../dp/B07XQ665NF

[67ChevyRedneck]

I know "black plates" are sought after and valuable in CA, but if someone reports it stolen, what is it's value? I guess hope someone buys it without checking if it's available first?

[Asshat]

Originally Posted by 67ChevyRedneck

I know "black plates" are sought after and valuable in CA, but if someone reports it stolen, what is it's value? I guess hope someone buys it without checking if it's available first?

I don't believe you can buy a license plate to use on your car/truck in California. Someone selling a stolen plate would look for a collector to purchase it. I could be wrong though.

[67ChevyRedneck]

You are correct, it can transfer with the car:

Can you transfer license plates in California?
California license plates are issued to vehicles and not individuals and they are usually transferred to the new owner if the vehicle is sold. In some cases, the owner may wish to retain his license plates. He or she will be required to visit one of the DMV offices and submit a written application for this to occur.

Which seems weird to me, because I can transfer tags between vehicles here in SC and I used to do it when I lived in NY too. I swapped my C10 to my winter beater every year. You can also run any YOM tag in SC on any vehicle as long as the year on the plate matches the vehicle year (and it has to be clear, specialty YOM plates can't be used.)

Aside from people trying to hide a stolen car, what's the appeal in stealing plates? Most old plates on ebay are only $15-20.

[jayoldschool]

I have original 1965 plates on my truck, they are mounted with security screws that only go in, not out. Of course, if someone has time and Vise Grips/grinder...

[72c20customcamper]

Originally Posted by 67ChevyRedneck

You are correct, it can transfer with the car:



Which seems weird to me, because I can transfer tags between vehicles here in SC and I used to do it when I lived in NY too. I swapped my C10 to my winter beater every year. You can also run any YOM tag in SC on any vehicle as long as the year on the plate matches the vehicle year (and it has to be clear, specialty YOM plates can't be used.)

Aside from people trying to hide a stolen car, what's the appeal in stealing plates? Most old plates on ebay are only $15-20.

The plate follows the registered owner in NY not the car . On aside note NY now has 3 valid paint colors for plates. They went from whites to orange and blue a few years ago. But they also changed from steel to aluminum plates. And now all those orange and blue paints are peeling and under the paint is oxidized aluminum Guess they didnt get the memo that aluminum needs a different painting process. Now all new plates issued are white again

[67ChevyRedneck]

My family still lives up there. I told my dad I want a set of the blue/yellow when he's done with them.

[LS short box]

I use stainless button head bolts and nylock nuts.

[davischevy]

The plates on my wife's car were stolen. They didn't remove the bolts. I asked the police why they would just tear the plate off. The thieves were only interested in the little sticker.

[Grumpy old man]

Originally Posted by LS short box

I use stainless button head bolts and nylock nuts.

I found this plate a while back to use on my 67 , I'll be using the stainless button head bolts and nylocks .

[Rich84]

When Ct. still used stickers the thieves would just cut the corner of the plate off with the sticker on it.
The amount of unregistered, insured, and unlicensed drivers is amazing. NY plates are everywhere. I guess the local police cannot verify them. Why the states don't reciprocate in the computer age that we live in is crazy.

[GOPAPA]

There is another reason why old and rare license plates are stolen off old collector cars.. Vintage License plates are taking a jump in cost to buy more than ever..


I found and bought a set of Idaho plates for my old car ,,this was about 3 years ago now and I paid $35 plus shipping @ $1.98 .. If I had of bought these plates looking like new or refurbished ones I would of paid much more,, I repainted mine and the state took photos of one of them and said I could use it. . Them same plates now will run you more than double or 3 times and plus higher shipping costs

Postal shipping has went way up too,,now one would pay (depending on how far from your residence) now its most of the time for me $8
( A set of California (1939 Worlds fair ) and Idaho (1928) A big potato on it) that have went up in value almost double what I paid for then 3 -4 years ago..

[rpmerf]

Originally Posted by Rich84

When Ct. still used stickers the thieves would just cut the corner of the plate off with the sticker on it.
The amount of unregistered, insured, and unlicensed drivers is amazing. NY plates are everywhere. I guess the local police cannot verify them. Why the states don't reciprocate in the computer age that we live in is crazy.

Back about 10 years ago, the plates were stolen off my car. 1991 Dodge Spirit. Reported them stolen, got new tags. A couple months later, I get a letter in the mail. A fine for an abandoned Chevrolet Caviler (or similar) with my tags. That means they didn't run the tags. You would think the first assumption with an abandoned car would be that it is stolen. Given that it was abandoned with stolen tags, the vehicle itself likely WAS stolen.

[Rickysnickers]

Originally Posted by Asshat

I don't believe you can buy a license plate to use on your car/truck in California. Someone selling a stolen plate would look for a collector to purchase it. I could be wrong though.

Actually you can. It's referred to as year of manufacture plates. These are the really old yellow ones and the early black and yellow ones. They have to be is good shape and not currently registered to a vehicle. After purchase, you can take them to the DMV, or if AAA is still doing registration then there, and got your registration sticker.

[REDROCKER652002]

Originally Posted by Rickysnickers

Actually you can. It's referred to as year of manufacture plates. These are the really old yellow ones and the early black and yellow ones. They have to be is good shape and not currently registered to a vehicle. After purchase, you can take them to the DMV, or if AAA is still doing registration then there, and got your registration sticker.

You are correct sir, at least you are when my dad did it with his 56 Chevy. But, the issue I encountered is it is a pain in the tail when you have to reregister the car. When he passed, i had to register the car in my name. The DMV was completely clueless that the 56 Plate had to be registered separately and I had to go thru three people before I got a guy who had been with the DMV long enough to know how to do it. LOL.

But, yes, it can be done.

[dagnabbitt]

After having his plate stolen multiple times, my friend tack welded his to the bumper of his truck. No more problems.

Where I am, it is not so much classic but modern vehicles that are targeted.
Your plate is likely to get stolen if you have a vehicle that is popular to steal. ie. Someone with a stolen white Lexus will swap the plates from another (non stolen) white Lexus and drive around for quite awhile before anyone is the wiser.

[FleetsidePaul]

I've never had a plate stolen. But I have had the renewal stickers stolen out of my mailbox. I guess the thieves either sell them or put them on their own car so their registration looks current.

My house and cars are very secure, but my mailbox is down the road from my house. I put in a new locking mailbox and they still broke in. And messed up my new mailbox doing it. I think they look for something from the DMV figuring it might be new tags. They stole my registration renewal for my truck and that was just a bill. They could feel free to pay that if they like. I wont complain.

The worst part was that I had to go to the DMV to get it all straightened out. Which as we all know is just tons of fun.

[Rickysnickers]

Originally Posted by REDROCKER652002

You are correct sir, at least you are when my dad did it with his 56 Chevy. But, the issue I encountered is it is a pain in the tail when you have to reregister the car. When he passed, i had to register the car in my name. The DMV was completely clueless that the 56 Plate had to be registered separately and I had to go thru three people before I got a guy who had been with the DMV long enough to know how to do it. LOL.

But, yes, it can be done.

Yes, unfortunately, a lot of the clerks that work at the DMV don't know the Vehicle Code very well, if at all.

[GOPAPA]

Originally Posted by dagnabbitt

After having his plate stolen multiple times, my friend tack welded his to the bumper of his truck. No more problems.

Where I am, it is not so much classic but modern vehicles that are targeted.
Your plate is likely to get stolen if you have a vehicle that is popular to steal. ie. Someone with a stolen white Lexus will swap the plates from another (non stolen) white Lexus and drive around for quite awhile before anyone is the wiser.

You are correct ,,not a lot of classic cars get their license plates stolen ,,I only know maybe 3 in all the years at car shows ,, .Old license plates are going up in value and some of them are pretty rare like coins , ,Washington states vintage license plates are getting pretty costly .. 'a set of 1939 plates in Washington could bring upwards to $500 ,,and California 1939 plates as well..

In Idaho ,,the plates you buy for your car or truck is yours only and it cannot be transferred when selling to another person.. you can transfer it to another vehicle of your own ,,and now we have a 10 year life span on our license plates before you have to buy a new set...