Classic 80mm font numberplates?

DakarVert

I want to change the plates on my Sierra (1990 Sapphire) from the modern plastic jobbies to something else.

Came across this from Eireplates,



Anyone have any real world examples of what they look like fitted to a car?

w124man

Well they're the wrong font for a start!

macplaxton

"Wrong font" in what way?

DakarVert

Not really pushed if there not 100% authentic, I just wanted to see real world examples fitted to a car. (Surely someone ordered them from Eireplates?)


Also out of interest, What would be the correct font/format of a 1990 reg plate?

macplaxton

I had a look through a few hundred show photos of mine, but can't find any of that particular type of plate. The problem being, a lot of plates either aren't period look or legally correct.

The only two 87-90 plates I could dig out are:

DSCF0186 by macplaxton, on Flickr

Volvo_340DL_D_88-D-14183_001.jpg by macplaxton, on Flickr

In my view there isn't a wrong font as such, as no font is specified in the relevant regulations*. All that it specified in relation to letters/figures on a plate is the height (81mm) / width (48mm) of a character and stroke width (min. 12mm). A font could be wrong if it doesn't comply with those dimensions (uneven stroke width, irregular height, irregular width). If a plate might not be a "period look", then that's another matter.

*http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1986/en/si/0441.html

Silvera

As someone who worked on cars back in the late 80's/early 90's, those Eireplates are perfectly appropriate on a 1990 car.

Another example of a 1990 plate (which I own) ...the plate consists of 3 x layers - a metal base plate, digits stuck onto same, clear overcoat/layer.

macplaxton

Another flick through Flickr...

One Pug in that font:

Peugeot 205 GTi by Fastcarsite.eu, on Flickr

and a mix of others (somewhere in the photos):


Rock buns, 1987 style. by Longreach - Jonathan McDonnell, on Flickr

Just Nipping out for some shopping darling. by Longreach - Jonathan McDonnell, on Flickr

Dublin Bay Rally 1990. by Longreach - Jonathan McDonnell, on Flickr

After dark. 'Who says the Devil is a Man? by Longreach - Jonathan McDonnell, on Flickr

Stella Maris Hotel, Kilkee, Co. Clare, 1990 by National Library of Ireland on The Commons, on Flickr

Dublin Bus DF694 by Longreach - Jonathan McDonnell, on Flickr

1987-09-09 EZH 35 Leyland Leopard-CIE Met-Sec C35 driver trainer, Dublin by delticalco, on Flickr

("sharing disabled" links)
https://flic.kr/p/dHirXN
https://flic.kr/p/bqH4ex
https://flic.kr/p/9fNimw
https://flic.kr/p/fC2x4S
https://flic.kr/p/aaMQa7

DakarVert

Perfect!

Think I'm going to order a set, Should look so much better than the modern plastic ones.

w124man

Silvera wrote: »

As someone who worked on cars back in the late 80's/early 90's, those Eireplates are perfectly appropriate on a 1990 car.

Another example of a 1990 plate (which I own) ...the plate consists of 3 x layers - a metal base plate, digits stuck onto same, clear overcoat/layer.

That is the correct font as used back between 87 and 90 and so is this .....



The fonts the OP posted weren't around in those days

The '2' and '3' are not the way they were back then.

macplaxton

w124man wrote: »

That is the correct font as used back between 87 and 90 and so is this .....The fonts the OP posted weren't around in those days

Right, so now we finally get what you're digging at: By "wrong" you mean non-period, rather than non-compliant.

Both fonts look dimensionally correct to the regs in force at the time.

swarlb

w124man wrote: »

That is the correct font as used back between 87 and 90 and so is this .....



The fonts the OP posted weren't around in those days

The '2' and '3' are not the way they were back then.

I'm afraid you are wrong in this instance. Prior to 1987, in anticipation of the new number plate system we purchased a number plate embossing machine from a company called Utsch. It consisted of a stamping press, and a paint/roller system. Plates were stamped cold, and ran through a printing press which painted the high lighted letters/numbers. I can assure you that the 'font's' used were identical to the OP's posting. I'm sure I have photographs of my own cars from the time but I would have to scan, as it was obviously a pre digital era. I think we were one of the first in the country with such a machine.
The machine is still in use.

Capri

Another example of a 1990 plate (which I own) ...the plate consists of 3 x layers - a metal base plate, digits stuck onto same, clear overcoat/layer

Not arguing, as you have a plate there, but I thought those 87-90 (non-EU sidepanel ) plates consisted of a clear acrylic, then the (very flimsy/thin) letters applied, then covered with the reflective white roller pressed on - just like the current UK plates are done ?


I used to have Radiator Services in Ballybough hounded with 'specials' I wanted done to make my yokes look 'foreign' ( I think one was say 'FIO 345' and I'd get 'F 10345' done, or get US size plates ) SAD

w124man

swarlb wrote: »

I'm afraid you are wrong in this instance.

A picture speaks a 1000 words .....

swarlb

w124man wrote: »

A picture speaks a 1000 words .....

You are right of course (about the picture)

This is one of the plates from my own car from the era. A Lancia Thema, stolen and burnt out in the late 90's. I kept the plate, along with a lot of other cars I had down through the years.
I'm at odds as to why you don't believe me, I was there at the time when we made the plates.

w124man

Well, in the four years that pre Euro plates were about, I never ever saw plates in those fonts. Most plates issued on new cars were acrylic with the dealers name.

I still dont think Im wrong ........ yet!

Silvera

Capri wrote: »

Not arguing, as you have a plate there, but I thought those 87-90 (non-EU sidepanel ) plates consisted of a clear acrylic, then the (very flimsy/thin) letters applied, then covered with the reflective white roller pressed on - just like the current UK plates are done ?


I used to have Radiator Services in Ballybough hounded with 'specials' I wanted done to make my yokes look 'foreign' ( I think one was say 'FIO 345' and I'd get 'F 10345' done, or get US size plates ) SAD

There were some different styles of plates available back then. Most of the acrylic plates were as you described. Then there was the pressed metal plates (as posted above) and then there was the type as I posted above (possibly a 'locally made', three-layered plate). I have seen many of these during my time in the motor trade from 1989 - 1996.

swarlb

w124man wrote: »

Well, in the four years that pre Euro plates were about, I never ever saw plates in those fonts. Most plates issued on new cars were acrylic with the dealers name.

I still dont think Im wrong ........ yet!

Just because you did not see something, does not mean it did not happen. If you really are that sceptical, I can arrange a meeting between yourself, myself and the man who sent the Telex to Germany, confirming the order of the machine from Utsch. Then we can go and see the actual machine, and discuss the whole episode. Maybe you should change your user name to Thomas !!
As for the dealers name, we used plastic surrounds (again supplied by Utsch) which had the particular Dealer name embossed on them. At the time, our biggest customer was a little known (these days) car manufacturing company you should be familiar with, as they used to build a car using the very same numerals as in your username.

CianDon

Here's my car and the last set of plates I had for her were the same as the font on the one in the OP;


I always thought they were the plate that best suited the standard style of my yoke, but at the same time I was running a red backplate hahaha

w124man

swarlb wrote: »

Just because you did not see something, does not mean it did not happen.

Very true. Pretty well all the photos here are of plates not in the font that the OP is looking for which is a bit odd dont you think. I first saw that font on a 1303S Beetle I had around '92 when everyone seemed to be swapping out to Europlates.

Anyway, I couldn't give a monkey's. As long as the OP is happy with his plates, that's all that matters.

swarlb

w124man wrote: »

Very true. Pretty well all the photos here are of plates not in the font that the OP is looking for which is a bit odd dont you think. I first saw that font on a 1303S Beetle I had around '92 when everyone seemed to be swapping out to Europlates.

Anyway, I couldn't give a monkey's. As long as the OP is happy with his plates, that's all that matters.

You must be reading a different thread, never mind.

CianDon

If any Cork members are looking for these plates, D&C Motorfactors in Turners Cross, up beside Tubs & Tiles by the soccer pitch, was where I got mine and it was €15 for the pair AFAIK, plus the shop is like an alladins cave of bits and pieces :-) :-)

DakarVert

CianDon wrote: »

If any Cork members are looking for these plates, D&C Motorfactors in Turners Cross, up beside Tubs & Tiles by the soccer pitch, was where I got mine and it was €15 for the pair AFAIK, plus the shop is like an alladins cave of bits and pieces :-) :-)

Tempting, I'll be in Cork Friday.
Can I get a pic of yours or are they the exact same as my original post?

Actually are these the same guys that mix paint aswel? If so I know where it is.

CianDon

DakarVert wrote: »

Tempting, I'll be in Cork Friday.
Can I get a pic of yours or are they the exact same as my original post?

Actually are these the same guys that mix paint aswel? If so I know where it is.

Thats my yoke and Id say the font is fairly spot on. Id say thats the boy alright as he does have a good name for getting paint for older yokes as you'd find anything on the shelves

w124man

swarlb wrote: »

You must be reading a different thread, never mind.

Who? You or me?




















Of course the pics you linked to have no historical reference except the one of the Pug 205. Pic was taken in 2013!

Is the last pic from your family album?

swarlb

We'll leave it there. You know exactly what I mean when I posted up the photos of the various plates which are identical in font.

unkel

swarlb wrote: »

We'll leave it there.

Indeed!

OP's question has been answered and all...