Thumper
10-02-2014, 01:02 PM
There's another post around here about the custom Cadillacs I used to build with my dad. Well, in those days, the cars came from the factory with nice, brushed stainless steel license frames. Simple, elegant and they were quality frames. Each car was shipped with two in the trunk. If we had a car that was going to be shipped to a state that only required one license plate, I'd throw the extra frame into a box. I had a shit-load of them at one time and would give them to anyone who wanted one ... employees, friends ... whomever ... they were there for the taking. When we shut the business down, I took what remained of those frames home with me and EVERY vehicle I've owned since 1975 has had two of those frames mounted. California had front and rear plates, but other states (like Florida) only require a rear plate, so I'd always have something like an aftermarket NASCAR plate on the front. If one got dented or just "old" looking, I'd trash it and pull a new one out of the box and install it. If I traded a car (done it a bazillion times), I'd leave the frames on the trade-in and just grab a new set for the new car. I even had them front and rear on my company vehicles and I was running FIVE company trucks at the time. I'd do the same on any car Lynn drove. Needless to say. I've prolly trashed a hunnert of 'em over the last 40 years!
I just stumbled on a few of 'em on eBay and those puppies are bringing the big bucks from collectors! I'm talking' $200-$300 for the original GM frames! As soon as I saw that, I ran out to the garage to check my "inventory". Dang! I'm gettin' low. I have one that's still in the original package with the GM part number listed and the instruction sheet. That will bring top dollar. I have about 10 of 'em that have been used, but they're not dented and being stainless, will clean up nicely. Heck, I have one on Lynn's car and two on my truck right now. I have some similar, aftermarket (chrome) frames in the garage and you can bet your ass I'll be switching those things out and rescuing the orig. GM frames for resale.
It seems SERIOUS car collectors are paying SERIOUS $$$ for the original frames from the proper time period of their show cars. When it comes to show cars, original parts make a huge difference in scoring no matter how insignificant the particular part might be. DANG!!! I'd give my eye teeth if I'd known ... that box of frames could have been in my attic all these years appreciating in value!
Later dufes ... I gots some old license frames I gots to polish up.
Here's a set just like mine and there are 8 people with them on their watch lists. It's listed at $395.95 plus $10.29 shipping! (Dang! I'm kicking myself in the ass for "throwing away" a bazillion of these things!)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Genuine-GM-Accessory-License-Plate-Frame-Vintage-Cadillac-1960s-1970s-Rare/121433366985?_trksid=p2047675.c100011.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%2 6asc%3D25217%26meid%3Df4b08b21f14d4d66b440c2715453 a425%26pid%3D100011%26prg%3D10629%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3 D10%26sd%3D221518120983
http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTA2NlgxNjAw/z/ilQAAOSwRLZUELfR/$_57.JPG
I just stumbled on a few of 'em on eBay and those puppies are bringing the big bucks from collectors! I'm talking' $200-$300 for the original GM frames! As soon as I saw that, I ran out to the garage to check my "inventory". Dang! I'm gettin' low. I have one that's still in the original package with the GM part number listed and the instruction sheet. That will bring top dollar. I have about 10 of 'em that have been used, but they're not dented and being stainless, will clean up nicely. Heck, I have one on Lynn's car and two on my truck right now. I have some similar, aftermarket (chrome) frames in the garage and you can bet your ass I'll be switching those things out and rescuing the orig. GM frames for resale.
It seems SERIOUS car collectors are paying SERIOUS $$$ for the original frames from the proper time period of their show cars. When it comes to show cars, original parts make a huge difference in scoring no matter how insignificant the particular part might be. DANG!!! I'd give my eye teeth if I'd known ... that box of frames could have been in my attic all these years appreciating in value!
Later dufes ... I gots some old license frames I gots to polish up.
Here's a set just like mine and there are 8 people with them on their watch lists. It's listed at $395.95 plus $10.29 shipping! (Dang! I'm kicking myself in the ass for "throwing away" a bazillion of these things!)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Genuine-GM-Accessory-License-Plate-Frame-Vintage-Cadillac-1960s-1970s-Rare/121433366985?_trksid=p2047675.c100011.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%2 6asc%3D25217%26meid%3Df4b08b21f14d4d66b440c2715453 a425%26pid%3D100011%26prg%3D10629%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3 D10%26sd%3D221518120983
http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTA2NlgxNjAw/z/ilQAAOSwRLZUELfR/$_57.JPG