What style plates best for 1981 MGB?

budfox · 11-08-2011 10:07pm #1

macplaxton · 11-08-2011 10:40pm

Anything with 3½" tall digits. e.g the correct size digits for the period.

black background with silver / grey / white digits (pressed / riveted / engraved) front and rear.

white reflective front with black digits (pressed / riveted)
red reflective rear with black digits (pressed / riveted)

Your call really.

gfwd · 12-08-2011 9:14am

I'd go for black plates with the silver peaked letters/numbers. I usually get them and they look great (bought mine online from Framptons).

Dades · 12-08-2011 9:28am

Either option #2, or the last ones, for me!

Car looks great - love the wheels!

bijapos · 12-08-2011 1:12pm

Go for these, they are still a head turner, unique around Europe and are correct for the period.

If you get two letters and 4 numbers it will fit in fine too.

macplaxton · 12-08-2011 6:24pm

Okay, I'll come off the fence!

Get a set of reflectives....

budfox · 12-08-2011 11:16pm

Have to say, the Red and Black look pretty good...and, as you say they are OK with the year and that....

I think I might be swung here....

I saw an amazing set at the Terenure show. They were raised silver characters on black. All hand done but very dear at E175 a pair. Auto Jumbler were doing them....

http://www.autojumbler.ie/Ace%20Peak%20Number%20plates.html

Not sure what they would look like...

They also do the red and black ones at E75 a pair....

http://www.autojumbler.ie/Red%20and%20White%20Number%20plates.html

budfox · 12-08-2011 11:17pm

Dades wrote: »

Either option #2, or the last ones, for me!

Car looks great - love the wheels!

Cheers!!

The wheels are a special edition run that they put on the MGB GT LE and Roadster. I think they're actually Stag wheels, rebadged...

I'll post up some photos next week of it.....

macplaxton · 13-08-2011 1:32am

budfox wrote: »

I saw an amazing set at the Terenure show. They were raised silver characters on black.

Amazing yes, but you can stick those sort of plates on any pre-'73 British registered car.

I thought I posted two pictures up

Here's the missing one:

stackerman · 13-08-2011 9:57am

I agree with gfwd,
Just got mine a few weeks back and they look great. I was lucky though and had a no 1 in the plate, otherwise it reg no would not have fit on the plate.
My no was ZV 3**1*

gfwd wrote: »

I'd go for black plates with the silver peaked letters/numbers. I usually get them and they look great (bought mine online from Framptons).

carchaeologist · 13-08-2011 7:21pm

keving wrote: »

I agree with gfwd,
Just got mine a few weeks back and they look great. I was lucky though and had a no 1 in the plate, otherwise it reg no would not have fit on the plate.
My no was ZV 3**1*

This is why 5 digit ZVs are no good.

budfox · 13-08-2011 9:22pm

macplaxton wrote: »

Amazing yes, but you can stick those sort of plates on any pre-'73 British registered car.

I thought I posted two pictures up

Here's the missing one:

These plates look great!!

budfox · 13-08-2011 9:23pm

carchaeologist wrote: »

This is why 5 digit ZVs are no good.

Hiya, I called Shannon last week and they are at late 9XXX in Dublin. I'll know more on Monday!!!

aujopimur · 13-08-2011 11:01pm

Legally you must use current style no. plates on reregistered cars.

macplaxton · 14-08-2011 12:27am

aujopimur wrote: »

Legally you must use current style no. plates on reregistered cars.

Not if they are ZV issue. Old plate specs apply.

But what you say is correct for new format issues, such as 75-D-nnnn

aujopimur · 14-08-2011 7:37am

macplaxton wrote: »

Not if they are ZV issue. Old plate specs apply.

But what you say is correct for new format issues, such as 75-D-nnnn

Incorrect, only current style plates are legal on on all vehicles registered or reregistered post '86 irrespective of registration no. whether ZV or age related.

macplaxton · 14-08-2011 11:44pm

aujopimur wrote: »

Incorrect, only current style plates are legal on on all vehicles registered or reregistered post '86 irrespective of registration no. whether ZV or age related.

Care to quote the appropriate legislation then? (I'll dig a reference out tomorrow after I get back in from work)

macplaxton · 15-08-2011 10:46pm

Okay, dug the legislative links out:

I am happy to stand by these, unless presented with newer regulations revoking the old ones.

VEHICLE REGISTRATION AND TAXATION (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS, 1999. (S.I. No. 432 of 1999.)

First Schedule / S23:

23. The provisions of this Schedule shall be deemed to be complied with in relation to an identification mark which incorporates the index mark ZV if the identification mark exhibited on the vehicle complies with the provisions of Part 1 of the Third Schedule to the Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) Regulations, 1982 (S.I. No. 311 of 1982).

VEHICLE REGISTRATION AND TAXATION REGULATIONS, 1992. (S.I. No. 318/1992.)

First Schedule / S23:

23. The provisions of this Schedule shall be deemed to be complied with in relation to an identification mark which incorporates the index mark ZV if the identification mark exhibited on the vehicle complies with the provisions of Part I of the Third Schedule to the Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) Regulations, 1982 (S.I. No. 311 of 1982).

ROAD VEHICLES (REGISTRATION AND LICENSING) REGULATIONS, 1982 (S.I. No. 311/1982.)

Third Schedule (whole section)

THIRD SCHEDULE.

FORM OF IDENTIFICATION MARKS.

Article 26 [this image is taken from the 1969 regs as the 1982 regs has two images missing]

Provisions to be complied with:

1. ( a ) Where the identification mark of a vehicle consists of an index mark followed by a registration number it shall at the option of the owner be arranged in conformity with either Diagram No. 1 or Diagram No. 2 shown above.

( b ) Where the identification mark of a vehicle consists of a registration number followed by an index mark it shall at the option of the owner be arranged in conformity with either Diagram No. 3 or Diagram No. 4 shown above.

2. Unless the identification mark is so constructed that it can be illuminated by translucency, or is exhibited on a surface constructed of reflex reflecting material in accordance with paragraph 4 of this Schedule, it shall be formed of white, silver or light grey letters and figures upon a black surface and every letter or figure shall be indelibly inscribed or so attached to such surface that it cannot readily be detached therefrom. If the letters and figures are exhibited on a flat plate, the plate may be constructed of cast or pressed material having raised letters and figures.

3. If the identification mark is so constructed and used that it is illuminated by transparency or translucency the letters and figures must all, when so illuminated during lighting-up hours appear, in the case of the front identification mark, white, and in the case of the rear identification mark either white or red. At all other times the letters and figures shall appear white against a black background.

4. An identification mark may be exhibited on a surface constructed of reflex reflecting material and if so exhibited—

( a ) the identification mark displayed on the front of the vehicle shall be formed of black letters and figures upon a white surface constructed of reflex reflecting material but no reflecting material shall be applied to any part of the letters or figures,

( b ) the identification mark displayed on the back of the vehicle or on any trailer attached thereto shall be formed of black letters and figures upon a red surface constructed of reflex reflecting material but no reflecting material shall be applied to any part of the letters or figures,

( c ) every letter or figure shall be indelibly inscribed or so attached to the surface constructed of reflex reflecting material that it cannot readily be detached therefrom.

5. Subject to the provisions of paragraph 9 of this Schedule, all letters and figures must be 89 millimetres high, every part of every letter and figure must be 16 millimetres broad, and the total width of the space taken by every letter or figure, except in the case of the letter "I" or the figure "1", must be 63 millimetres.

6. Subject to the provisions of paragraph 9 of this Schedule, there must be a margin between the nearest part of any letter or figure and the top or bottom of the surface (black, white reflex reflecting or red reflex reflecting as the case may be) upon which the identification mark appears of at least 13 millimetres and between the nearest part of any letter or figure and the sides of the surface (black, white reflex reflecting or red reflex reflecting as the case may be) of at least 24 millimetres.

7. Subject to the provisions of paragraph 9 of this Schedule:

( a ) the space between the nearest parts of adjoining letters and between the nearest parts of adjoining figures must be 13 millimetres;

( b ) where the letter "I" or figure "1" is used, the space between it and an adjoining figure or letter may exceed 13 millimetres provided that the index mark appears as a separate unit from the registration number.

8. Subject to the provisions of paragraph 9 of this Schedule, where the identification mark is arranged in accordance with diagram No. 1, or diagram No. 3 the space between the upper and lower line must be 19 millimetres, and where the identification mark is arranged in accordance with diagram No. 2, or diagram No. 4 the space between the index mark and the registration number must be at least 38 millimetres.

9. In the case of a bicycle, an invalid carriage or a pedestrian controlled vehicle, the dimensions prescribed in paragraphs 5, 6, 7 and 8 of this Schedule may be halved and the plate or surface bearing the identification mark need not be rectangular if the letters and figures thereon comply as nearly as possible with the arrangement shown in whichever diagram of this Schedule is appropriate.

carchaeologist · 15-08-2011 11:00pm

Say I have a KY reg'd classic, can I apply for a ZV from another county or does it have to be from KY again?

Basil Fawlty · 16-08-2011 9:21pm

Now that is a good question. I have a 8x-C-XXX reg which is ok as its 6 digits. But can I change it for one of the last four digit Dublin ZVs??

macplaxton · 17-08-2011 12:13am

It's a question that's come up before, and I don't remember there being an answer to it. Call write to the powers-that-be and ask?

carchaeologist · 17-08-2011 7:17am

macplaxton wrote: »

Reason: sorry, calling is a daft idea as you'll get ten different answers depending on who you ask

This is what I thought too, they are clueless. What form do I use to effect a changeover to a ZV if I so wished?

Eireplates · 17-08-2011 8:34am

How about silverline acrylic plates? Very popular with sport cars from the 80s.

Gold line version

Alternatively Ace peak or Plastic rivited digit plates would be suitable.

macplaxton · 17-08-2011 6:48pm

carchaeologist wrote: »

What form do I use to effect a changeover to a ZV if I so wished?

Ask them for VRT 35. Can't find one, but it's mentioned in the past on this very board if you do a seach

budfox · 18-08-2011 9:13pm

I went for the Ace Peak ones from Auto Jumbler. Paul was lovely to deal with and turned the order around in two days.

They were a great purchase and look amazing. I will post up some photos soon.

Expensive but well worth it IMHO.

The finish will work well with the silver finish on the MG....

THanks for your feedback and comments lads....

What style plates best for 1981 MGB?

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