The plates are white with tasteful red lettering. They have block letter CALIFORNIA on top in the usual position with HISTORICAL VEHICLE on the left and the plate number on the right. The plates are assigned a number. You cannot select the number or word like you can with the vanity plates. However, this is much nicer and more unique than any vanity plate that I could have dreamed up.

I had heard that only the back plate is required for historical vehicles, but I was shipped two plates and have not found anything in the California vehicle code about it.

Qualification

Any vehicle which was manufactured after 1922, is at least 25 years old, and is of historic interest qualifies for the historical plates. All DeTomaso cars over 25 years old qualify for the plates.

There are no mileage restrictions or stock modification restrictions as far as I can tell. The second page of DMV Form 17a states that vehicles may only be driven in historical exhibitions, parades, or historic vehicle club activities. However, the California vehicle code states in Division 3, Article 8, section 5004, paragraph F that a vehicle is of historic interest if it is collected, restored, maintained, and operated by a collector or hobbyist principally for purposes of exhibition and historic vehicle club activities. I assume that the vehicle code overrides the statement on the form.

For more information see Division 3, Article 8, sections 5004, 5050 and 5051 of the vehicle code.

Application Process

To get a historical plate for your Pantera or other qualified cars, you need to get the Special License Plate Application (Form 17a), fill it out and take it down to your local DMV with a check. Within two months, the plates will be mailed to you.

Your local DMV should be able to dredge up a copy of 17a, if not you can get it from the DMV web site listed below.

Links

California DMV
California Vehicle Code
California DMV Office Locations
Special License Plate Application Form 17a
 

Disclaimer: This information includes legal issues for which I am not qualified to give legal advice. The information is not necessarily complete or correct.