Late 1930s CHP license plate wanted

[Steve Slocombe]

Dear All, yes I've seen two 1930s California Highway Patrol license plates in photos but would like dimensions or preferably one in my hand for my own bike. They seem larger than standard plates, have California stamped across the top, a diamond on the left seen from the back, then a two digit number. Does that ring a bell with that old part in your box?

[redfred84]

HI Steve,
I have a yellow Calif. plate with the diamond on the left (the letter E inside the diamond; for exempt), and a 3 digit number. It has some sort of reflective yellow coating. I'm not sure of the exact year, but I'm calling it a '37 to go with my '37 Police 4our. It actually reads "Calif" across the top, not the entire word. It measures 7 1/4" wide, by 3 1/4" tall with rounded corners.
The Indian plates are rated for much higher speed than the HD ones! My '37 4our actually was a CHP bike (but not necessarily this plate), and I learned much about it's history from an old CHP guy who rode a VL. Great story about this guy too, on how he became a CHP, and the VL was instramental with this also.
I can probably bring it to Florida. The hard part will be remembering to do so!
All the best, RF.

[Steve Slocombe]

Thanks Fred, and with a lead that good don't worry about me remembering. Best regards.

[Chris Haynes]

Here is my 1945 plate. Notice it has an octagon around the E instead of the diamond. The octagon is for City government while the diamond is for State owned vehicles.

PS My bike is a 1945 74"

[redfred84]

Now that's a super rare one; '45, and Exempt to boot! My yellow Calif job doesn't have a year on it, but it is the same size, and has the same imbossed margin.
RF.