A. The department shall issue personalized street rod vehicle special plates to a person who owns a vehicle with a body design that retains at least the basic original style as manufactured in 1948 or earlier and that has been modified for safe road use. This modification may include:

1. Modification of the drive train and suspension and brake systems.

2. Modifications to the body through the use of materials such as steel or fiberglass.

3. Any other safety or comfort features.

B. A person who complies with subsection A may apply for personalized street rod vehicle special plates by indicating on the application the letters, numbers or combination of letters and numbers requested as a registration number. The department shall determine the number of positions allowed on the personalized street rod vehicle special plates. The personalized street rod vehicle special plates shall not conflict with existing plates and shall not duplicate registration numbers. The department may refuse to issue or may suspend, cancel or revoke any combination of letters or numbers or any combination of letters and numbers that carries connotations that are offensive to good taste and decency, any combination that is misleading or any combination that duplicates other plates.

C. If a person who has been issued personalized street rod vehicle special plates sells, trades or otherwise releases ownership of the vehicle on which the plates have been displayed and relinquishes the plates to the new owner of the vehicle, the person shall release the person’s priority to the letters, numbers or combination of letters and numbers that is displayed on the personalized street rod vehicle special plates in the manner prescribed by the director. The person to whom the plates are relinquished shall apply to the department for issuance of the plates to the new applicant.