From what I understand of the motor vehicle laws here in CA, you are required to use the number of plates that were issued with the car/registration. Older cars were issued with only 1 plate, and are then only required to have the 1 plate. If you were given 2 plates, you are required to display them both. I am not sure what the penalty is for not having a front plate, but it should be easy enough to find out. I just went through this dilema with my 92, but decided it was not worth it... -Dave