Here’s Proof That America’s Old License Plates Were Way Cooler Than Today’s

Jalopnik has more than a few Michiganders in its ranks. But East Coast boy that I am, I was initially unaware of the handsome blue plates that lined the states roads throughout the ’80s, ’90s and 2000s. Having never seen it before, I have to say it looks great, with a straightforward white-on-blue background motif that never fails to appear classy and smart. Modern plates suffer from overdesign in the worst way, so it’s hard to go wrong with something so simple. I especially love the font Michigan is embossed in — it’s got that pseudo-rustic, late 20th-century vibe going for it, and it also bears a passing similarity to the Mercedes-AMG logotype, so top marks all around.

Today’s standard-issue Michigan plates don’t look anywhere near as good, with a bland white background and Pure Michigan text up top. To make matters worse, the “M” in Michigan is scrawled in a generic script that looks like it was lifted from a yogurt cup. But don’t despair: it turns out classic blue might soon make a comeback as an optional design, thanks to a bill sponsored by Michigan Sen. Mallory McMorrow, who’s had a couple bylines on this very site in the past and happens to be married to former Jalopnik Editor-In-Chief Ray Wert. The proceeds from these plates will go into the Michigan Transportation Fund. Jalops doing cool things in government — you love to see it.