63-72 Calif Comm Black Plate sequence

[19553100]

I've been looking for some correct black commercial plates for my
recently purchased 1967 C10. There seems to be very little
documentation on the internet regarding the correct issuing
sequence for Black Commercial plates in California.
Maybe someone here already knows or has a theory.

I've been doing my own research and here's mine.
There seems to 2 different issuing sequence formats from 1963 to 1972.
I don't think that there is an exact date for the change because it would have been different for each individual DMV Office. I think that as their supplies ran out for the first sequence they would begin issuing the second.

The first sequence in 1963 began with an (A 12 345) format. The issuing sequence determined by the first letter. I think the DMV miscalculated the number of commercial plates that would be issued because this sequence seems to reach the end of the alphabet somewhere in the 66-68 years depending upon the individual DMV Office.

The second sequence began with a (12 345 A) format, with the issuing sequence determined by the last letter. I've seen black commercial plates on 1971 and 1972 trucks that only seem to extend mid-alphabet.

I've been keeping a lookout for for the last few months for local pickups with black plates and the theory seems to play out.

I just purchased a set of (Y 70 584) plates that I think would be correct for my 1967 C10. There is a local nicely restored '67 Longbed with Black plates that start with a V and he believes they are original to the truck.
If you have a California truck with black commercial plates that you know are original to your truck...please let me know the year and plate number to see if we can verify the theory.
Thanks!!

[leddzepp]

Boardmember "Stocker" has a set of Black commercial plates on his 72 K20. Might want to PM him. My 72 has blue plates, ending in K. Good luck.

[Flat 67]

On my 71 I have 12 345L, but in blue......................Flat67

[19553100]

I'm not sure about the Blue plates. California starting issuing Blue plates for 1970 passenger and commercial vehicles.
My understanding is that some DMV offices had a surplus of Black commercial plates and they issued them to some lucky 1971 and 1972 trucks and vans.

[leddzepp]

Most 1972 trucks had blue plates. Most 1971 trucks had black plates. Stocker is in fact the only 72 I have seen with black plates.

Mine were blue originally....I restored them and made them black

[GMCMAX]

On my 68 it is 90xxxA, our 69 was 49xxxC, my old boss's 69ish ferd was another 49-C,
all original to Central Cali Coast. My neighbor's 68 is 85xxxC not sure of original location of issue.
Max

[Stocker]

Here I am... leddzepp has an excellent memory -- or did a bit of searching -- or both.

The black plates on my early '72 (built Aug. 1971) have a sequence of 12 345 A.

In fairness, I bought the truck in 1977, but there has been no indication of a repaint from blue. I have scraped, scratched, neglected, and generally abused them and not a speck of blue to be found. There was nothing customized or fancy about the truck -- it's a K20 with twin saddle tanks and 4:10 gears, and had split rims with 8-ply 7.50-16s when I got it. The PO had installed (and removed) an equalizer hitch. Hardly the type of truck someone would strip the paint from the plates and respray from bare metal, imo.

[dan42]

My '67 has the original plates, and it's V 26--- (can't remember).

[KevsClassics]

Ask C/10King He knows the correct sequence.
He'll even bust out the "Photo Album"

[C/10 King]

I believe your theory is real close to being correct, I've been doing my own homework on the sequence for a while, I believe depending on what part of California you're from, the change from letter first/letter last Commercial black plates occurred in both 1967 and 68, I presently have a 67 gmc that came from the original family (with all the paper work) and the plate starts with a Q. My cousin has a 68 that starts with a Q also, I've had a couple of 67 that have ended in A, and one that started with a V. In closing I will submit some photos.

[drewskiren]

I've got a 12 864H black plate on my 1970 C20 from the LA area, built in Fresno. Stayed there in the same place its whole life til I bought it last year and DROVE it back to Memphis. Only had 1 bit of trouble, a flat.

[C/10 King]

Originally Posted by 19553100

I'm not sure about the Blue plates. California starting issuing Blue plates for 1970 passenger and commercial vehicles.
My understanding is that some DMV offices had a surplus of Black commercial plates and they issued them to some lucky 1971 and 1972 trucks and vans.

Commercial blue plates began in 72' (12 345 k) but some dmv's still had black plates for a couple of months issuing them until the "J' black" sequence ran out.

[KevsClassics]

Originally Posted by C/10 King

Commercial blue plates began in 72' (12 345 k) but some dmv's still had black plates for a couple of months issuing them until the "J' black" sequence ran out.

I Don,t buy that theory. Because when you buy a brand new veh. The plates are sent from main DMV in Sacto. Not your local Dmv office. JMO

[C/10 King]

Originally Posted by KevsClassics

I Don,t buy that theory. Because when you buy a brand new veh. The plates are sent from main DMV in Sacto. Not your local Dmv office. JMO

Okay smart guy! Whats your theory?

[C/10 King]

Okay, let me rephrase that a little bit better. Sacramento designates which counties gets which sequence, And the plates are issued, until that sequence has exhausted.

[KevsClassics]

Originally Posted by C/10 King

Okay, let me rephrase that a little bit better. Sacramento designates which counties gets which sequence, And the plates are issued, until that sequence has exhausted.

Sounds better but I still don,t buy it.

[C/10 King]

Originally Posted by KevsClassics

Sounds better but I still don,t buy it.

Remember, It's only a theory.

[70cst]

And so the mystery continues ...stay tuned for more but until that time lay back and listen to our favorite song: See the USA in a Chevrolet.

[Flat 67]

Originally Posted by C/10 King

Commercial blue plates began in 72' (12 345 k)

How come my 71 has blue plates with 12 345L...................not that I'm doubting what you are saying.......................Flat67

[Stocker]

Originally Posted by KevsClassics

I when you buy a brand new veh. The plates are sent from main DMV in Sacto. Not your local Dmv office. JMO

Now, yes.... but I seem to recall way back when, our local DMV had a stock of new plates.
Fuzzy memory, but that's how I think it was.

Originally Posted by C/10 King

some dmv's still had black plates for a couple of months issuing them until the "J' black" sequence ran out.

This would make sense to me... my black plate ends in "J".

[C/10 King]

Originally Posted by Flat 67

How come my 71 has blue plates with 12 345L...................not that I'm doubting what you are saying.......................Flat67

Remember, this only a possibility, but unless you know who originally purchased your truck brand new, I say there is a possibility that it was probably traded in for a new vehicle in a dealership in 72 or 73. It might have been issued new plates to the new owner. Remember this is just my guess. My other guess is it probably had at one time a "H" or a "J" at the end of the black plate, most 71's did.

[leddzepp]

Originally Posted by KevsClassics

I Don,t buy that theory. Because when you buy a brand new veh. The plates are sent from main DMV in Sacto. Not your local Dmv office. JMO

You have a very good point Kevin. The only time you get the plates from your local DMV would be "in person" at that particular office. When you purchase the vehicle NEW from a dealership the plates are sent from Sac. to your house.

My dad has an 86 Ferd Bronco that he purchased from the dealer in 1986. It was "dealer owned" and had 384 miles, and had blue plates on it. Blue plates stopped in 83, so why would it have blue plates??? ANSWER: The dealer carried them over from a previous vehicle that they owned. This is how plates from an earlier year vehicle end up on a later model. As long as the original registered owner (dealer or person) elects to retain the plates, they can be used again to register the subsequent vehicle. This is why you see blue and black plates on 80's, 90's, etc. model vehicles. The owner has had them since way back when, and has used them each time he has purchased another vehicle.

This either clears it up, or adds another twist...

[storm9c1]

My '69 C30 came from California, and it came with the original black plates. The format is "## ### X" where the letter is after the numbers. As far as I know, they were the original plates from '69.

[chevy_mike]

Mine are the original one from a '68.

[C/10 King]

Originally Posted by storm9c1

My '69 C30 came from California, and it came with the original black plates. The format is "## ### X" where the letter is after the numbers. As far as I know, they were the original plates from '69.

Do you have a photo of that? I've never seen a original black plate with any letter further than "J" on the right side.