Rowen. YOM's are OK in Cali. I have them on my 56 Victoria and my 39 Indian. Don't want to throw a monkey wench in to your project but the 55's in Cali were the last of the "big" plates and they were black with yellow/gold number/letters. They ran for 1951 to 1955. To be correct you will also need matching corner metal tags which say "55" and mount over the "51. I say matching because there are small stamped numbers which would have matched your registration at that time similar in what they do now only then you needed front and rear. I'm not sure if the small #'s would need to match or even it you need both but maybe you have one of those places new you that does this without going to Cali DMV. Also the best you to make the plates look really good it you do it is the remove all the old paint, primer and then for yours a gloss black. After they have had some time to dry have a local pinstripper do your number/letters. I used Pactra RC285 model paint (bright yellow) from a hobby shop it was a perfect match. Good luck. You have some great car swap meets in the Sacto area and plates should not be that had to find... 

56 Vic, B'Ville 200 MPH Club Member, So Cal.

EVERYTHING in California goes for BIG Bucks!!
Rono

  Ron Lane,  Meridian, ID

I would have said ebay but California tags go for big bucks compared to Texas tags.

Thanks Pete, goin to the sac swap meet right now n that's what I'm lookin for. Ifin I can't find any ill put a post up on the classifieds n see if anyone has some.

Rowen
55CV
Woodland, Ca

Rowen. The California DMV has a program called " year of manufacture" that will let you put old style plate on your car. You have to provide TWO old plate that are cleared and pay a fee. Pete

Oh, and do i need both front and rear plates?

Rowen
55CV
Woodland, Ca

Insure how this works so I could use a lil expertise. I would like to put original yellow/gold(?) black letter California plates on my 55 crown vic. Does anyone know if this is legal by Cal DMV regs?

Rowen
55CV
Woodland, Ca