+1000 on what Bob just said.
The state of Texas has rules for Antique license plates. They are good for five years. You can get the state issued "Antique" plate, or present a set from the year the car was made (So I have 1969 Texas Plates on my 1969 coupe). About 10 years ago, Texas decided to streamline and redo the antique plate system. My 1970 Mach, I got the renewal and went down and it was zero issue. the new system SEEMED much better. The new "sticker" is affixed to a small metal plate you attach to those 1970 license plates, it has their current registration number, the last 4 (or 6) of the original VIN, the letters and number off the 1970 plates, all in small print. Done, easy, good for another 5 years. My 1969? We've owned the car since the early 1970's. It's been titled and registered in Texas since 1975. I get ZIP for paperwork. So I go in when I renew the 1970. They fumble around and say "oh, this is one that got messed up.....bring in those plates and the paperwork from......5 years ago". OK, Fine. I keep that stuff so make another trip. Nope, get told they ALSO need to see the title to the 1969. ANOTHER Trip. This time I've got the 1969 plates, the 5 years old paperwork, the title. I get some young thing who looks tired and lost. She looks at my 1969 Texas Title and declares "What is THIS! This isn't a valid motor vehicle! VIN's are 16 digits and this must be illegal...." I has holding off with my blood pressure as I was about to tell her I'd be back in half an hour, WITH THE 1969 FORD MUSTANG". An older worker walked up behind the first person, put their hand on their shoulder and said "It's time for your break now". I held back my laughter. The older lady then looked over everything, knew exactly what she was looking at, explained how for some reason the state had screwed up roughly HALF the antique renewals, and she'd set this straight. Oh how I wished I'd gotten her on my first visit! So yeah, we are totally at the mercy of the government and government employees and it depends on which one you are dealing with. Multiply that by the 50 or so years these cars have been in existence and the number of title changes......
Don't get me stated with our THIRD attempt dealing with the IRS about a deceased family member.