My California Camino

**BJCHEV396** · #1 10-29-2021, 09:58 PM

Just received a pic of my '64 Camino from the fella I bought it from a few years ago.It was brought into Canada from Riverside,California.Are the black plates only registered to this vehicle for ever and can I get more info from the California D.M.V.now that I have the plate info?Thanks,Bill.

**chevelleheart** · #2 10-29-2021, 11:25 PM

Bill , I also have a CA El Camino , and when I purchased it , almost 20 years ago , mine is a black plate car too. That is my understanding, that the black plates stay with the car, would love to know what they do mean.
Good luck

**tjs44** · #3 10-29-2021, 11:42 PM

My understanding if they were original to the car a date can be established by the letters.My 62 GP I was told got the plates early 63 when it came into CA.Never really cared much to explore it.If someone knows it would be great to know.Tom

**PeteLeathersac** · #4 10-30-2021, 02:43 AM

'

If you haven't already, it's worth a try running CA Plates through the Old Newspaper Websites as CA car ads back in the day required Vehicle Plate #'s be included in the ads.
Only a small percentage of papers have been scanned so it's a long shot but you may get lucky.
I no longer have a subscription but was surprised how well these websites work when I did finding tons of cool old ads including some for Member cars w/ CA Plate searches also lots more interesting stuff too.
Others here w/ Newspaper site access may be able to help or give one of the free trials a whirl and good luck!

~ Pete

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**BJCHEV396** · #5 10-30-2021, 03:05 AM

Thanks Pete,I'll look into it!

**AnthonyS** · #6 10-30-2021, 04:24 AM

nah. IMO, those plates are not original to a 1964 El Camino. Those models were registered as trucks in CA and that configuration on that plate (three letters & three numbers) were for passenger cars. And leading Z plates were near the end of the black plate run and likely originally assigned to a 1969 model vehicle if they went on a new car. Of course someone could’ve had to do some sort of re-registration at the DMV in 1969 and had them assigned to an existing / older car, like stolen / lost plates maybe, but they still would’ve gone on a car.

I don’t think you’ll find any history on your truck using that plate number. But it would be cool to run them through the papers to see if you get a hit.

Did you get old CA DMV paperwork tying that plate number to your VIN?

Riverside is not far from me.

Cheers,
Anthony

**BJCHEV396** · #7 10-30-2021, 08:47 AM

No paperwork Anthony.Thanks for the info.

**olredalert** · #8 10-30-2021, 03:26 PM

----Back in the era we all are interested in El Camino's were everywhere in California. It took me a while to figure it out but the fact is that since they were plated as trucks they had a significant difference in the yearly tax rate. Enough that a lot of people bought them as every day drivers to save money!....Bill S

**67since67** · #9 10-30-2021, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by olredalert

----Back in the era we all are interested in El Camino's were everywhere in California.

Yes, CA was loaded with Caminos back then! I've managed to snag a couple of them myself

I'm a sucker for anything with black plates and dealer frames!!

Bill W

**BJCHEV396** · #10 10-31-2021, 04:22 AM

Think my Camino was built in Fremont,California.Ended up on a used car lot in Riverside and was bought by a biker who shorty after "had to get outa the U.S.!" He moved to London,Ontario and it languished in a barn.Was bought by the fella who sold it to me.

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