Moving Machines

Many methods of transportation are found on plates, as the examples below illustrate.

I. Automobiles & Buses

Alabama, Arkansas and Connecticut are amongst a handful of states to issue an antique vehicle plate with a picture of one. Connecticut school bus plate includes a colorful graphic. Michigan issued an optional to celebrate the anniversary of automobile manufacture, while Virginia encourages residents to “Drive Smart.”

Alabama, Arkansas and Connecticut are amongst a handful of states to issue an antique vehicle plate with a picture of one. Connecticut school bus plate includes a colorful graphic. Michigan issued an optional to celebrate the anniversary of automobile manufacture, while Virginia encourages residents to “Drive Smart.”

II. Flying Things

Florida‘s Challenger plate honored those lost in the Challenger space shuttle disaster of 1986; a new version came out years later, then was followed by one (not pictured) that memorialized both the Challenger and the Columbia victims. New Mexico hosts the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta every October, and made this no-cost optional available to motorists starting in 1999. North Carolina and Ohio each vie for being the origin of the airplane (the Wright Brothers were raised in Ohio, but had the first successful flight in North Carolina). Texas placed a space shuttle on the 2000 base.

Florida‘s Challenger plate honored those lost in the Challenger space shuttle disaster of 1986; a new version came out years later, then was followed by one (not pictured) that memorialized both the Challenger and the Columbia victims. New Mexico hosts the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta every October, and made this no-cost optional available to motorists starting in 1999. North Carolina and Ohio each vie for being the origin of the airplane (the Wright Brothers were raised in Ohio, but had the first successful flight in North Carolina). Texas placed a space shuttle on the 2000 base.

III. Floating Things

A variety of boats, ships, and other “floating things” are depicted on the plates above. Nova Scotia is the only general issue of the bunch; the rest are optionals or specialties.

A variety of boats, ships, and other “floating things” are depicted on the plates above. Nova Scotia is the only general issue of the bunch; the rest are optionals or specialties.

IV. Wagons

Colorado, Nebraska, Ohio, and Oregon used covered wagons to harken to America’s past; Indiana has two kids in a wagon for a children’s hospital specialty; and Guam included a graphic of an oxen and cart on its 1984 base.

Colorado, Nebraska, Ohio, and Oregon used covered wagons to harken to America’s past; Indiana has two kids in a wagon for a children’s hospital specialty; and Guam included a graphic of an oxen and cart on its 1984 base.

V. Other

More plates with transportation…Florida and Kentucky “Share the Road” specialties; Montana specialty featuring several forms (snowmobile, dirt bike, ATV, jeep); Nevada has tribute to the V & T train; and Utah snowmobiler.

More plates with transportation…Florida and Kentucky “Share the Road” specialties; Montana specialty featuring several forms (snowmobile, dirt bike, ATV, jeep); Nevada has tribute to the V & T train; and Utah snowmobiler.

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