General Information on Vintage (i.e. Non Reflective) Vehicle Number Plates
Specification, Details and Dimensions were first laid down in the 1904 Road Traffic Act and then in 1932. Prior to 1932 plates were usually hand painted White onto a Black background. After Rules and Regulations were laid down the practical aspects of Number Plate Manufacture could be divided into four main areas up until 1973 when retro reflective (i.e. Black characters on White or Yellow reflecting tape) were made mandatory due to commercial lobbying upon certain politicians.
The four types of manufacture are:
- A - Die Pressed Aluminium
Introduced in the early 1930's. Present specification used is hand polished 16swg (i/16" approx.) thick aluminium with Black stove enamelled (high temperature) background.
1930's to 1963/4
6 characters only - 3 1/2" high
Standard sizes - 21" x 5" oblong and 11", 12" or 14" x 9 1/4" square
1964 to 1973
7 characters (with prefix or suffix "A", etc.)
Standard sizes - 20 1/2" x 4 1/2" or 11 11/16" x 8 3/8"
Above sizes (unless otherwise requested) contain 1/4" wide raised polished beaded edge with 1/8" corner on 3 1/2" and 5/8" rounded corner on 3 1/8" size
USA Cars
Die pressed plates, size 12" x 6" can be produced using 2 1/2" characters
- B - Digit Type
First introduced early 1930's as flat or oval digits; changed in the 1950's to PYRAMOID or PEAKED (profile) DIGITS. Digits could be a (personal) choise of either WHITE, GREY or SILVER on a Black background. Originally produced in Cast Aluminium or later on (1060's) in injection moulded plastic (usually of poor quality) i.e. PVS or flexi-plastic.
TIPPERS VINTAGE PLATES are currently able to provide the following, as per original type of DIGIT PLATES:
C.A.D. TYPE Period 1920's to Mid 1930's SOLID CAST ALUMINIUM (FLAT) POLISHED DIGITS ON HEAVY (3/16" to 1/4" thick) CAST (INTEGRAL) PLATES
Standard sizes - 21" x 5" (approx) and 9 1/2" x 12" or 14".
GOTHIS Style Originated in early 1950's by G> TIPPER Senior. Solid Cast Aluminium PEAKED TYPE DIGIT with integral bifurcated rivets. Size 3 1/2" finished in WHITE (Stove enamel) or HAND POLISHED SILVER Aluminium; made from ORIGINAL 1950's patterns by hand casting.
- C - ACE TYPE DIGITS
Originally made by CORNERCROFT ENG.LTD. or Coventry, ceased production in early 1970's. These were a 3 1/2" peaked WHITE and SILVER die cast digit, also produced in 3 1/8" FLAT TOP White and Silver, very stylised into a squared type of digit and very popular in the 1960's and 70's. Our stocks are original and all Aluminium - some 3 1/2" stocks are low - WE WILL ALWAYS BUY OLD "ACE" STOCKS OF METAL DIGITS. All orders for "Ace" type are subject to specific stocks availability.
Note: We also have REMNANT STOCKS of other manufacturers' digits (all metal) such as BLUMELS C U D and HILLS.
- D - REVERSE ENGRAVED ACRYLIC PLATES
These were originally developed in early 1970's by "JAMESIGNS" and were the subject of a long and failed Patent case. We currently produce the following types:
(i) MIRRORLINE Reverse engraves 3 1/8" characters through clear Acrylic, polished lined aluminium backing on Black background.
(ii) SILVERLINE Reverse engraved 3 1/8" characters with silver-grey (not polished) letters on black background.
NOTE: VINTAGE TYPE places, i.e. any letters on BLACK BACKGROUND were legal on all vehicles manufactured and registered prior to December 1972.
* STANDARD AND NON-STANDARD PLATES MADE TO SUPPLIED TEMPLATE.
* ALL ENQUIRIES ARE WELCOME AND SHOULD YOU HAVE NEED OF FURTHER INFORMATION OR CLARIFICATION, PLEASE CONTACT THE "VINTAGE PLATE" DEPARTMENT OF TIPPERS WHERE OUR TRAINED STAFF WILL BE MORE THAN PLEASED TO HELP FULFIL YOUR NUMBER PLATE REQUIREMENTS.
TELEPHONE: 01726 879799
