Real Good Number Plates Vol. 6
Discussion
Jordie Barretts sock said:
Geertsen said:
macron said:
smithyithy said:
FR13 NDS on a Tesla of some sort, with little coloured sitckers between the 'TESLA' letters on the back, in this style:
T R A G I CFrom the 'Supercars spotted, some rarities' thread:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
https://www.cultureoncall.com/keeble/
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
https://www.cultureoncall.com/keeble/
Still Mulling said:
Right, bored of Cybertrucks. There’s another thread for that!
Very difficult to photograph this, as it was under the stairs in a museum, but I’d never heard of this before: the Keeble K3!
K3 is a missing single-single, but the fact it was on an AX at some point (according to the single-single site) suggests this is just a made-up plate... Although the blurb says this prototype was running in 2003, sooooo... ??Very difficult to photograph this, as it was under the stairs in a museum, but I’d never heard of this before: the Keeble K3!
Edited by RSTurboPaul on Monday 3rd June 20:12
Stumbled on some really interesting number plate geeking websites this evening while looking for something else 
Chiltern Vehicle Preservation Group - Car Registration and Number Plates 1903 to 2003
http://www.cvpg.co.uk/REG.pdf
I didn't realise that 4x1s were technically rarer than 1x4s - I had been labouring under the incorrect assumption that all the single letters were run in reversed format at some point, but seemingly not - only D, E, F, H, K, N, R, U and W were issued, according to this!
Cool to learn some new factoids, either way
Chiltern Vehicle Preservation Group - Car Registration and Number Plates 1903 to 2003
http://www.cvpg.co.uk/REG.pdf
I didn't realise that 4x1s were technically rarer than 1x4s - I had been labouring under the incorrect assumption that all the single letters were run in reversed format at some point, but seemingly not - only D, E, F, H, K, N, R, U and W were issued, according to this!
CVPG info said:
1AAA - 999YYY : 1950's - 1960's
In the 1950's the system was reversed by councils who had run out of combinations in the previous series, now with the numbers prefixing the letters (e.g. 237RYU). A small number of councils ran out of these numbers by the late 1950's / early 1960's and as a temporary measure, four number / one or two letter area code registrations were issued (e.g. 2345AA). These did not have a serial letter, the one or two letters being the area codes as originally issued in the reversed format. Only the single letter area codes D,E,F,H,K,N,R,U and W were issued in this reversed format (e.g. 1042D) between 1953 and 1962. This was the last time the single letter area codes were used. Not all of these numbers were issued, making this type of number rarer than the ABC123 type. Some of these numbers are now being auctioned off as personalised registrations.
Also:In the 1950's the system was reversed by councils who had run out of combinations in the previous series, now with the numbers prefixing the letters (e.g. 237RYU). A small number of councils ran out of these numbers by the late 1950's / early 1960's and as a temporary measure, four number / one or two letter area code registrations were issued (e.g. 2345AA). These did not have a serial letter, the one or two letters being the area codes as originally issued in the reversed format. Only the single letter area codes D,E,F,H,K,N,R,U and W were issued in this reversed format (e.g. 1042D) between 1953 and 1962. This was the last time the single letter area codes were used. Not all of these numbers were issued, making this type of number rarer than the ABC123 type. Some of these numbers are now being auctioned off as personalised registrations.
CVPG info said:
Between 1982 and 1995, military vehicles used 2 numbers, the letter K and another letter, then 2 numbers - e.g. 24 KA 51. How- ever prior to 1982 different codes were used. The series 53 ER xx is used by the Queen's official baggage transport - with 53 repre- senting 1953, the year of Her Majesty's coronation, ER representing Elizabeth Regina and then two numbers (xx).
And:CVPG info said:
US forces present in the UK may have special plates on their military vehicles, in British style and size. These plates include the series DOT, RC, UKAX, USAF, USN, AFEX, UKER. These plates have the letter codes followed by (normally) four or five num- bers. USN has not been issued on standard plates to avoid confusion. US forces plates have also been spotted in the UK style with just numbers, e.g. 93-40342, two serial letters and four numbers.
I am a bit confused on the Trade Plates front, though:CVPG Trade Plates section said:
TRADE PLATES
example: 454 DH
Trade plates use the normal UK font but usually display red letters on a white background. They have three numbers starting from 001, and then a two letter area code of the VRO (vehicle registration office) as in pre September 2001 plates. Trade plates are carried by vehicles which are not being currently taxed, and are used by dealers and manufacturers. These plates can be moved from one vehicle to another which is why they are often displayed in the windscreen or hung from the vehicle rather than being permanently fixed.
I presume I am correct in thinking that the 1x4 trade plates I have seen are historic issues retained for ongoing use by inividuals/garages?example: 454 DH
Trade plates use the normal UK font but usually display red letters on a white background. They have three numbers starting from 001, and then a two letter area code of the VRO (vehicle registration office) as in pre September 2001 plates. Trade plates are carried by vehicles which are not being currently taxed, and are used by dealers and manufacturers. These plates can be moved from one vehicle to another which is why they are often displayed in the windscreen or hung from the vehicle rather than being permanently fixed.
Cool to learn some new factoids, either way
A very useful site with all of the early 1- and 2-letter combinations as clicky links with dating information, which includes the 3-letter versions as well!
https://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/registrations/reg-...
They also appear to have some cool geek info (with old adverts) on styles of historic number plates
https://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/library/numberplat...
https://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/registrations/reg-...
They also appear to have some cool geek info (with old adverts) on styles of historic number plates
https://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/library/numberplat...
RSTurboPaul said:
K3 is a missing single-single, but the fact it was on an AX at some point (according to the single-single site) suggests this is just a made-up plate... Although the blurb says this prototype was running in 2003, sooooo... ??
It is a made up plate. Looked into this a couple of years backEdited by RSTurboPaul on Monday 3rd June 20:12
RSTurboPaul said:
I presume I am correct in thinking that the 1x4 trade plates I have seen are historic issues retained for ongoing use by inividuals/garages?
Cool to learn some new factoids, either way
I thought they were new issues and not historic at all but will admit haven't looked into it.Cool to learn some new factoids, either way
Sir Bagalot said:
RSTurboPaul said:
K3 is a missing single-single, but the fact it was on an AX at some point (according to the single-single site) suggests this is just a made-up plate... Although the blurb says this prototype was running in 2003, sooooo... ??
It is a made up plate. Looked into this a couple of years backEdited by RSTurboPaul on Monday 3rd June 20:12
Sir Bagalot said:
RSTurboPaul said:
I presume I am correct in thinking that the 1x4 trade plates I have seen are historic issues retained for ongoing use by inividuals/garages?
Cool to learn some new factoids, either way
I thought they were new issues and not historic at all but will admit haven't looked into it.Cool to learn some new factoids, either way
If you will excuse the wikipedia link...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vehicle_registration...
wikipedia said:
Trade plates
...
Until 1970, two types of trade plate were used. General trade plates had white letters and numbers on a red background and could be used for all purposes, while limited trade plates used red numbers and letters on a white background and were restricted in their use (e.g. a vehicle being driven under limited trade plates was not allowed to carry passengers).
Since 1970, all trade plates have used the red-on-white format. According to the traders, the police followed a little
rhyme about trade plates:[88]
Red-on-white, stop on sight
White-on-red, go ahead.
The format of trade plate numbers comprises three digits (with leading zeros if necessary) followed by one, two or three letters denoting the location of issue, using pre-2001 format codes.[87]
123 ABC
In 2015, a new system was introduced with a number-only format. This is a five-digit number (leading zeroes used below 1000) in red on white, with a DVLA authentication at the right. This is centrally issued, and there is no regional indicator.
[89]
12345
Subsequently, due to the number of issued trade plates in the UK, the five-digit numerical only format was replaced before reaching its maximum limit of ‘99999’, with a leading letter in place of the first digit. Eg. A1234. Once the combinations of A0000 to A9999 were issued, it would roll onto the next letter of the alphabet: B0000 to B9999 and so on. Not all number combinations are issued and you cannot request specific numbers. This format is still in use and still issued centrally by the DVLA. The preceding letter does not align with a year of release or region and as a result no age or location identifier is possible. To estimate the age of a trade plate in circulation in this format; C#### plates were being issued in approx 2018 and as of 2023, H#### plates were in use.
...
Until 1970, two types of trade plate were used. General trade plates had white letters and numbers on a red background and could be used for all purposes, while limited trade plates used red numbers and letters on a white background and were restricted in their use (e.g. a vehicle being driven under limited trade plates was not allowed to carry passengers).
Since 1970, all trade plates have used the red-on-white format. According to the traders, the police followed a little
rhyme about trade plates:[88]
Red-on-white, stop on sight
White-on-red, go ahead.
The format of trade plate numbers comprises three digits (with leading zeros if necessary) followed by one, two or three letters denoting the location of issue, using pre-2001 format codes.[87]
123 ABC
In 2015, a new system was introduced with a number-only format. This is a five-digit number (leading zeroes used below 1000) in red on white, with a DVLA authentication at the right. This is centrally issued, and there is no regional indicator.
[89]
12345
Subsequently, due to the number of issued trade plates in the UK, the five-digit numerical only format was replaced before reaching its maximum limit of ‘99999’, with a leading letter in place of the first digit. Eg. A1234. Once the combinations of A0000 to A9999 were issued, it would roll onto the next letter of the alphabet: B0000 to B9999 and so on. Not all number combinations are issued and you cannot request specific numbers. This format is still in use and still issued centrally by the DVLA. The preceding letter does not align with a year of release or region and as a result no age or location identifier is possible. To estimate the age of a trade plate in circulation in this format; C#### plates were being issued in approx 2018 and as of 2023, H#### plates were in use.
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