 While attempting to replicate period New York license plates, art  director Chris Hutchings, who was a California native, asked  director Keith Dinielli, a New Yorker, where the license plates said  "New York." The top or the bottom? Dinielli, in the midst of a  production problem, replied, "I dont remember, try asking so old  guy in the street." Hutchings did and the old man replied, "I dont  remember myself, but I do have a stack of old New York plates in my  garage if you want them." Half an hour later the old man returned  and the plates were used to dress all the period cars.