10 Classic License Plates We Want on Our Cars

License plates are more than simply stiff sheets of aluminum with random assemblages of numbers and letters pressed into them. The colors and styles represent not only the people and landscape of the state itself, but also the period when those plates were issued. There's a sizeable collector market for these pieces of automotive history; a great resource is the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association.

It's no wonder, then, the proposals for new plate designs usually ignite fights across entire states. Californians are so nostalgic for their old plates that there's actually legislation pending (assembly bill 1658) that would create a program to reissue some of the state's most popular vintage plates. We certainly hope it passes. Until then, here are 10 of our favorite old (and new) plates from around the country.

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