Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

KartoffelChips · Joined: 20 Dec 2013 Posts: 8 Location: Copenhagen, Denmark

Hi all,

I've seen eBay listings for cars for sale in the UK where questions and comments are leading me to think that there's a speciel interest in black, alloy (old style?) number plates?

Can anyone share some info on this? Is it so? Why (if so)?

Sort of this style:

http://www.platesbypost.co.uk/vintage-car-number-plates.php

- are original ones valuable?...
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/Soren, Copenhagen, Denmark

1964 Volvo 221/1964 Volvo 222/1964 Volvo 131

Ellis · Posted: Fri Dec 20, 2013 11:42 pm Post subject:

Now! This is one of my favourite "gripe" or "moan" subjects!

Almost everywhere you see "Pressed Aluminium Number Plates" and these are NOT correct for most 1960's vehicles.
You would see this type commonly on commercial vehicles only such as lorries, large vans and tractors because they were cheap then and more durable in a heavy use environment in the 1950's and 1960's.

Passenger cars almost universally had white (1950's) or more usually silver (1960's) raised peak (normally plastic later or aluminium earlier) letters and numbers on a black background and without borders.

Most dealers bought template kits from Number Plate manufacturers such as Bluemells or Serck and made the 'plates up on site. Few had the facilities for pressing numberplates on their own premises. As an aside I remember only rarely seeing this type on coaches or public service vehicles and most had "car" type ones.

The proper raised digit type is more expensive to buy but the expense is worth it for authenticity.

Another correct 1960's looking number plate is the acrylic white or silver type and these are available reasonably priced. IIRC this type was often fitted to "high end" cars such Rovers (P5/5b), Bentleys and Rolls Royce.

My computer skills are basic or I would post direct links here for you.

Of all the cars my parents owned in the 1960s the only one which had pressed aluminium number plates was a non woody Mini Estate - EFF 392D - in 1966.
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Starting Handle Expert

1964 Jaguar Mark 2 3.4 litre
1962 Land Rover Series 2a 88"
2002 BMW M3 E46 Cabriolet

KartoffelChips · Joined: 20 Dec 2013 Posts: 8 Location: Copenhagen, Denmark

Thanks a lot for a very thorough answer! Smile

Well - and have I understood it correct, that in the UK you can chose your plate numbers yourself? - If so, does that then mean, that you could buy a used set of plates and then use them again on another vehicle?
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/Soren, Copenhagen, Denmark

1964 Volvo 221/1964 Volvo 222/1964 Volvo 131

47Jag · Posted: Sat Dec 21, 2013 1:29 am Post subject:

[/quote][Well - and have I understood it correct, that in the UK you can chose your plate numbers yourself?]

There was a time that you could ask for certain number but the norm was/is that the number was assigned by the Dept. of Transport when the vehicle was first registered. I think the larger dealerships would be assigned a series of numbers and the customer could have a bit of a choice. About twenty odd years ago the Government realised that there was a nice little earner in allowing people to choose their own numbers as long as it hadn't been issued before. Nowadays there are regular auction of un-released numbers that attract enormous sums of money.

Art

ukdave2002 · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4236 Location: South Cheshire

kevin2306 · Posted: Sat Dec 21, 2013 9:54 am Post subject:

where did you source them from dave? very nice

kev

Ellis · Posted: Sat Dec 21, 2013 11:24 am Post subject:

kevin2306 · Posted: Sat Dec 21, 2013 11:35 am Post subject:

kismet · Joined: 04 May 2011 Posts: 71 Location: South Staffs

Friend of mine bought a 1964 Triumph TR4 with some very nice cast aluminium plates on. I'm sure I've seen these advertised recently but can't recall where, possibly CCM.

Riley Blue · Joined: 18 Jun 2008 Posts: 1751 Location: Derbyshire

I buy my plates here: http://www.tippersvintageplates.co.uk/phdi/p1.nsf/supppages/tippers?opendocument&part=2

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22784 Location: UK

I agree that the wrong type of plates on a car does look bad, for the record my '60 A40 Mk1 has always had pressed aluminium plates.

RJ
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Ellis · Posted: Sat Dec 21, 2013 2:17 pm Post subject:

kevin2306 · Posted: Sat Dec 21, 2013 3:32 pm Post subject:

Ellis · Posted: Sat Dec 21, 2013 4:14 pm Post subject:

ukdave2002 · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4236 Location: South Cheshire