Windshield Wonders III: VANIT PL8s, Vehicle Vernacular

So far we’ve looked at art on cars and art in roadside attractions. We’ll finish up this series with a look at some “vehicle vernacular”, art in words if you will. You’re sitting at a stoplight waiting and your eyes zone in on the license plate in front of you. Focusing closer, you notice there is a method to that number/letter pattern, a code or creative message about the driver.  Some are fun and easy to catch, others leave you bewildered.  As the vehicle rolls off into the dust, you’re left still scratching your head, “What did that mean anyway?” Such is the world of vanity plates.  They are as individual and unique as their owners…or not.

Ever notice that some states seem to have a lot more vanity plates than others? California highways are filled with vanity plates. Virginia is the same way. Having spent much time on the roads in Virginia, it seems like every 5^th car has some attempt at bumper side tomfoolery. Granted, it may just seem like that because the state requires every car to have plates on both the front and back of each car. So it’s double the message. At any rate,  it amazes us how much creativity can flow from just 6-8 letters.

Even Scrabble pros have nothing on vanity plate owners. Heck- instead of that license plate state game you play on road trips, let’s up the ante and give extra points for vanity plates: especially the ones that can make 7 whole words out of just 7 letters- the crème de la crème of the vanity plate world. Ingenuity at its most efficient… for example, ICUNIYQ – “I See You And I Like You”-(try it with the Elmer Fudd accent, it works better.)

Also in Virginia, you will find the world largest license plate collector’s association. Located in Hampton, the Automobile License Plate Collector’s Association (ALPCA) has been around since 1954. They boast having well over 3,000 members from all around the world. They even have regional conferences/swap meets. We tried to contact them for an interview, but were unable to do so. They were probably out collecting license plates. If you are a fan of license plates, too, visit their web page (linked above).

We found another site too that is partially dedicated to vanity plates, www-chaos.umd.edu/misc. This is a fun space online with quips, quotes, and funny license plates stories. They have over 1,000 vanity plates listed online too, which is great fodder for late night boredom. You’ll laugh quite a bit.

From the site, we chose a few favorites; “BAA BAA” (on a Black Jeep),  “IBJAMEN”,  “IAML8” (Oh that should totally belong to Layne), “OJDIDIT”, “O2B39” (on a middle aged woman’s car), “CME4DK” (on a dentist’s license plate), “GSNDHT” (Gesundheit, on an Isuzu), “YY2WRY” (Too wise to worry), “WIZBYU” (Whiz by you), and “WOHORSY” (on a Mustang).

We did an informal poll of several of our FVR Roadies and they sent in some great ones, too. Here’s what you shared with us;  “ASFLT ROX” (Asphalt Rocks.) “4RCEBWU” inside a frame that said “ May the..”  Someone also found “FSHWHSPR” on a plate up in Maine. We know of a nurse with a plate that said “1BZ RN”. Some others include; “OK2NV” ( on a sports car), “PB4WEGO” (on a minivan), “M10 BKR” (mountain biker) and Layne’s favorite… “BRTQUL8”.  Also “ASUWISH”  came in from a Princess Bride fan, and “ITYP175″ from the back of a medical transcriptionist’s car. Thanks for sharing your plates!

Editors love word plays so vanity plates are totally our thing, though we aren’t sure it is fair to call them “Vanity Plates”. These folks RNT VAIN, they R WIT E.

Well it’s TM4ME2GO.. .but if you are just getting started and craving more, check out this license plate translation of the epic classic, Oedipus the King… told solely in license plate-anese.

And, as usual, if you find some fun zippy plates on the road, snap a pic and send them in. We are always looking for a few good laughs from the road!

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Submitted by: Layne Rider
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Road Submission Category: FVR News