[MI-Roger]

The 'new' Michigan license plates are a throw-back to the early 1960's. They look OK on vehicles painted in early 1960's colors, but are hideous on vehicles in the currently super popular black and dark grey colors.

[ShouldIMoveOrStayPut...?]

Originally Posted by Coldjensens

Many with pictures are so complex that you cannot make out what the picture is unless you are no more then 2 feet away, especially with letters printed over the picture. The mighty mac ones are a good example of that. I really liked the Michigan 1976 plates. California has some nice ones for a while, but they went to vinyl and overly complex pictures.

Yes, you can't "crowd" the plate with too large and/or complex themes. Here's the state "reps"....

State Bird: American Robin
State Flower: Apple Blossom
State Tree: White Pine
State Animal: White Tail Deer

A simple and dignified "Robin on a White Pine Bough", similar to Maine's "Chickadee on a Pine Bough" would make a nice addition. You could do an Apple Blossom branch in place of the pine bough as well.

White Tail Deer in a Snowy Forest or leaving hoof marks in a soft blanket of snow?

Originally Posted by MI-Roger

The 'new' Michigan license plates are a throw-back to the early 1960's. They look OK on vehicles painted in early 1960's colors, but are hideous on vehicles in the currently super popular black and dark grey colors.

You could do "Throwback" plates local to towns or cities as well. I would suggest something like the "Motown" record label for Detroit, but the word Motown is striped horizontally in a "rainbow" motif. And alas, for better or worse, that motif has taken on a new meaning these days.

Maybe something nostalgic along the lines of the Auto industry in Dearborn.

You have a number of National and State parks as well (Isle Royale, etc.) Nice scenery and themes there.