When was the tilted number plate introduced

[aide]

this cerb in the classifieds is a 1998 car but has a tilted/sloping rear plate. Maybe its a late 98 car?

[C3BER]

End of 2001 I believe.

[C3BER]

How odd. Just looked at the pictures and yes it slopes but I'm sure it should have a rear light in the plate at that age rather than a slope so it conforms to the new number plate laws?

[Tanguero]

I would suspect a back end rebuild with a later rear end section. Its definitely not the right number plate for the alleged year.

[TA14]

Tanguero said:

I would suspect a back end rebuild with a later rear end section. Its definitely not the right number plate for the alleged year.

or the owner just preferred it that way. Have a look how many griffs have the 500 front.

[C3BER]

Front is wrong for its age along with the rear which would have me asking a few serious questions.

I'm sure somebody can easily explain the front but the rear?

[Tanguero]

TA14 said:

Tanguero said:

I would suspect a back end rebuild with a later rear end section. Its definitely not the right number plate for the alleged year.

or the owner just preferred it that way. Have a look how many griffs have the 500 front.

As it is part of the main shell moulding would it have ever been offered as an option some years before it was first sold that way? And presumably before the modified mould had been made.

Edited by Tanguero on Thursday 24th January 08:49

[TA14]

Tanguero said:

TA14 said:

Tanguero said:

I would suspect a back end rebuild with a later rear end section. Its definitely not the right number plate for the alleged year.

or the owner just preferred it that way. Have a look how many griffs have the 500 front.

As it is part of the main shell moulding would it have ever been offered as an option some years before it was first sold that way? And presumably before the modified mould had been made.

Not unless you have a time machine.

[C3BER]

Rear shunt? But it does say no damage?

[PuffsBack]

I think I am right in saying cars sold in Europe all had sloping plates as Euro regs would not pass the rear lit number plate. Same goes for Griffs and Chims.

[aide]

It did look a bit odd to me. Maybe it's mentioned in the add that is't never been crashed - because it does look like it has been modified - but there is a logical reason behind the mismatch?

[BHardy]

In the netherlands the number plates are from steel so no option to have lights behind the plate. On my Cerbera I have chosen to have some very small LED lights on the plate but others have chosen to modify and tilt the plate.

[jamieduff1981]

I find it rather amusing to see how many PH Cerb owners just pay to have the Tuscan style headlights, later style number plate recess and later style tail light clusters fitted just because they prefer them. Yet whenever one comes up for sale everyone just assumes the car must have been in a serious crash.

[TA14]

jamieduff1981 said:

I find it rather amusing to see how many PH Cerb owners just pay to have the Tuscan style headlights, later style number plate recess and later style tail light clusters fitted just because they prefer them. Yet whenever one comes up for sale everyone just assumes the car must have been in a serious crash.

[jamer]

I first saw the rear sloping plate on a Cerbera (copied from the post 1998 Chimaera rear) on a 4500cc Lightweight we ordered for a customer new, this was regsitered on the 51 plate in October so I should imagine they would have been a change made in production mid 2001 for the motorshow vehicle to show an update for potential customers as they try each year.

It's true many foreign destined vehicles had this option, although in various shapes dependent upon market plate (I seem to recall most had a squarer option). Also as mentioned some cars could have had fibreglass replaced at the rear with later kits due to the rough and tumble of drivers methods from inside the car and behind coming too close to see what the hell was making all that noise in front and then whacking the rear section), also to personal preferences on the look of the car and trying to make your car look like a later one with a private plate etc. (just like early and late model Griffiths that have different nose cones, this happened too)

The only real way to know is to have a really good look at the car and find out firstly is it a nice example and genuine, if something has been done as along as its properly then it's personal prefference and go from there.

[Jhonno]

Why would you choose to downgrade it's fine arse though?! Early style looks loads better!!

[C3BER]

Front I can understand.
Lights I can understand at the rear but this one has not been changed.
Rear plate altered...I've never heard of it.

There must be some history as to why it was done and that's what I would be asking if was to buy this car.

[gerradiuk]

jamieduff1981 said:

I find it rather amusing to see how many PH Cerb owners just pay to have the Tuscan style headlights, later style number plate recess and later style tail light clusters fitted just because they prefer them. Yet whenever one comes up for sale everyone just assumes the car must have been in a serious crash.

Exactly, don't forget fitting 18" Spiders in place of 16" etc...

[Mark.]

This car is for sale at Fernies - they are a decent bunch there why not just pick up the phone and ask?

[C3BER]

Mark. said:

This car is for sale at Fernies - they are a decent bunch there why not just pick up the phone and ask?

Because its more fun than believing in aliens landing in a desert in America. Conspiracy theories are so much fun