Original Reg No.
Discussion
Probably a stupid question, certainly judging by the answer I got from the DVLA.
Sometime during its life, my 1957 100E Anglia surrendered its pre-reg mark and acquired one with an A suffix. I'd like to find out what the original reg was. How do I go about doing this?
I've tried "ask the DVLA" but I may not have jumped through the right hoop or done so in the correct manner. The response I got was something along the lines of "we only access vehicle records through their current registration number" to which my immediate thought was "and in those records, what does it say the previous registration number was?". Am I being naiive in thinking that that's a simple question?
Ideally, I'd like to reunite them but that may prove to be prohibitively expensive in which case a simple satisfaction of curiosity would be grudgingly accepted.
Cheers in advance, Jim
Sometime during its life, my 1957 100E Anglia surrendered its pre-reg mark and acquired one with an A suffix. I'd like to find out what the original reg was. How do I go about doing this?
I've tried "ask the DVLA" but I may not have jumped through the right hoop or done so in the correct manner. The response I got was something along the lines of "we only access vehicle records through their current registration number" to which my immediate thought was "and in those records, what does it say the previous registration number was?". Am I being naiive in thinking that that's a simple question?
Ideally, I'd like to reunite them but that may prove to be prohibitively expensive in which case a simple satisfaction of curiosity would be grudgingly accepted.
Cheers in advance, Jim
The DVLA system can be interrogated through its API - which is what these HPI check systems do - a part of that is a set of data showing plate changes - however, it often doesn't go back to the original plates - so I suspect that the only form of record may be if the DVLA had historic paper records...
Ah bugger.
So I was terribly naiive in thinking that something so fundamental would be routinely recorded by the DVLA and I really do need them to be amateur sleuths and/or archivists to find out.
I could always try tracking down the previous owner and just ask them if they know what it was. Trouble is, I have owned it for nearly 25 years.
Cheers anyway chaps, Jim
So I was terribly naiive in thinking that something so fundamental would be routinely recorded by the DVLA and I really do need them to be amateur sleuths and/or archivists to find out.
I could always try tracking down the previous owner and just ask them if they know what it was. Trouble is, I have owned it for nearly 25 years.
Cheers anyway chaps, Jim
Don't forget that prior to the DVLA, records were paper based and kept at local licensing offices and when started they transferring the records over (mid-70s?), there were lots of errors and omissions.
I accept that the mention of first registered 1985 might indicate that's when the plate hange occurred but even in the mid - late 80s, DVLA weren't always on the ball with regard to number changes. It seems to me that as far as records/numbers for old cars are concerne, changes before computerisation are often down to the owner to provide the evidence/info to DVLA, rather than the other way around.
Anglia owners' club?
I accept that the mention of first registered 1985 might indicate that's when the plate hange occurred but even in the mid - late 80s, DVLA weren't always on the ball with regard to number changes. It seems to me that as far as records/numbers for old cars are concerne, changes before computerisation are often down to the owner to provide the evidence/info to DVLA, rather than the other way around.
Anglia owners' club?
Prof Prolapse said:
Now you know there's no way of confirming it, simply fit any plate you like of similarly unconfirmable origin, claim it's the original plate and sleep safely in the knowledge no one could uncover your web of lies.
Glass half full mate.
Unfortunately, I'm exactly the sort of person who doesn't get away with that type of thing.Glass half full mate.
Riley Blue said:
A 1957 car with a 1963 registration - when did the rule about not making a car appear newer than it is come in?
No idea but there might be a caveat that covers the fact that Ford stopped making them in 1959 so it's unlikely that anybody could get away with pretending it was four years younger than that. Pure conjecture, though. Common-sense but total guesswork.Cheers, Jim
I am sure I read that DVLA have replaced A reg plates with a non transferable age related plate. The owner of a car in the same situation as yours wrote to DVLA and they issued an appropriate plate (not the original one).
I cannot recall where I read that but I don't think I am imagining it.
I cannot recall where I read that but I don't think I am imagining it.
I had a 1960 car with an A. It originally had a cherished number, was sold in 63 and given one of the new fangled numbers. That was the only year they did that AFAIK because, if the procedure was allowed to continue, folk would use it to make cars look younger than they were.
If it is 60 car re-registered in 63 it's a rarity.
If it is 60 car re-registered in 63 it's a rarity.
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