26 replies to this topic

[Boycie]

The black and silver number plates were 'old hat' by the early 70s.  As said, the yellow rear, white front plates were available from 1968 and the majority of cars bought new would be fitted with the new design, particularly if it was a privately owned vehicle sporting the latest letter :)

 

I believe current UK legislation allows black and silver plates to be fitted to any 'historic vehicle' which is currently something registered before 1978.  I actually have a real pet hate when I see black and silvers fitted to anything post 1970.  It just looks wrong in my eyes, maybe because I remember the cars running around when they were just every day transport.

Original yellow and white 'Hills' aluminium plates with plastic rivetted-on digits look spot on on 1970-early 80s cars IMHO.

[Curley]

....I actually have a real pet hate when I see black and silvers fitted to anything post 1970.  It just looks wrong in my eyes....

I can't agree with you more. It almost looks tacky to me nowadays.

 

White and Yellow with riveted digits it is then!

Edited by Curley, 13 July 2019 - 06:52 PM.

[62S]

The characters on black plates were not always silver, they could also be white or cream.

[mab01uk]

Ace Plates (see link below) are probably the ultimate quality classic numberplates with raised digits still available but not cheap......

"All of our plates are custom made to order depending on the specific requirements of the customer.

Please contact us with your exact specifications and requirements as we provide various different combinations of character and plate colours and styles that can be produced to fit almost any specs."

Makers & Suppliers of the Original Ace Peak Number Plates:-

http://www.acepeakpl....com/new-page-1

 

Edited by mab01uk, 14 July 2019 - 09:29 AM.

[SolarB]

I believe current UK legislation allows black and silver plates to be fitted to any 'historic vehicle' which is currently something registered before 1978.

 

It's actually 1st january 1975.

[mab01uk]

 

I believe current UK legislation allows black and silver plates to be fitted to any 'historic vehicle' which is currently something registered before 1978.

 

It's actually 1st january 1975.

 

 

There is some confusion over this since DVLA changed the dates......some sources say it is now a rolling date with Historic vehicle tax exemption others say not.......however see below:-

 

DVLA has since 2015 allowed all Historic Tax class cars (40 year rolling) to display black silver plates if they wish:-

Quote from page 11 of latest INF104 document:-
https://www.gov.uk/g...d-number-plates

Traditional number plates for vehicles made before 1 January 1973. Vehicles made before 1 January 1973 may display traditional ‘black and white’ number plates (for example, white, silver or grey characters on a black plate). From April 2019 vehicles manufactured before 1 January 1979 are also able to display traditional ‘black and white’ number plates.
You must:
•  have applied to DVLA
•  be registered within the ‘historic vehicles’ tax class.
The 40-year exemption date rolls forward automatically each year on 1 April."

Edited by mab01uk, 15 July 2019 - 11:48 AM.

[SolarB]

Thanks for the document link, couldn't find anything on the DVLA wabsite.

It's quite clear that Jan '73 is no longer the cut-off date for black & silver plates.

[mini13]

IMO black blates dont look right on anything newer than a mk2.

[Boycie]

Mab is absolutely correct as usual.  The fact they let black and silvers on everything 40 yrs old is a weird decision from those in charge, IMO.

[CityEPete]

I can't stand seeing a Sportspack with black plates!

[mab01uk]

Mab is absolutely correct as usual.  The fact they let black and silvers on everything 40 yrs old is a weird decision from those in charge, IMO.

 

Although Historic owners do not have to fit black-silver plates (yet) it has been suggested this might be an initial step towards having visibly different plates on all 40-year old Historic vehicles in the UK, (as in some other European countries),.......as part of possible future restrictions on the use of Historic cars (as I believe has already happened in Belgium?).

Edited by mab01uk, 15 July 2019 - 07:48 PM.

[beardylondon]

So if this carries on, all those 80s, 90s and beyond minis and other classics could all end up with black and silver plates (if they wanted) madness!

 

IMHO I think they should say vehicles manufactured upto Dec 1979 can have black and silver plates, anything after should be yellow and black. I would guess that no 1980s vehicles left the showrooms with black and silver plates from new, I believe they were considered old fashioned by then, and owners would update their older cars to yellow and black plates to be more current.

 

I can't stand seeing a Sportspack with black plates!

Edited by beardylondon, 16 July 2019 - 03:55 PM.