Old style car registrations

Silvera

Do you guys remember the old style (pre 1987) car registration numbers, that didn't show the actual year of the car on the plate ?

Would you prefer to still have this type of registration, rather than the current system ?

Do you recall any old type reg number in particular (favourite) ?


Silvera.

Ste-

Used to hate them still do.
Much easier way of things nowadays
Cant remember many but I know I saw one with 3 numbers and then HIV thought it was funny as I was about 9 at the time.

woolymammoth

i know ID was the Cavan reg. don't know what any of the others
were...

the new system is much better tbh.

easier to spot an english car! :ninja:

mike65

Originally posted by woolymammoth


easier to spot an english car! :ninja:

The Yellow plates with a GB sticker on the bootlid is usually a givaway!

Makaveli

Didn't like them either because I didn't understand them.

telecinesk

Remember when people used to get yellow irish plates made up for "cross border" shopping. I know it was strictly illegal but it made an irish car less conspicuous.. apparently.
Oh, YI was 1976 Dublin, had a volkswagon with that. 18WYI was our Mini 850.

Dr. Dre

Personally, I would like to be able to have personalised plates, like in the US.

aidan_dunne

YCI 836 - My father's old end-of-the-line MK II Ford Escort. Limited Edition "Sunburst Orange" colour with brown go-faster stripes down the side and Minilite-style wheels. He bought it second-hand in 1983 (was in great nick) and drove it until 1995. Simple to work on, reliable, racked up thousands upon thousands of miles travelling the whole country in it. As far as I'm concerned, Ford never made a decent Escort again after the MK II.

It was the car I learned to drive in. My father called her "Betsy" and he'd often be heard coaxing her to start up on a cold winter's morning by saying, "Come on Betsy. Come on ya good thing. You know you can do it!"

I loved that car. When he got a new one, the guy he sold Betsy to came to collect her with a car trailer. I stood in the doorway watching him drive it onto the trailer, tying it down and watched as he drove it off around the corner out of sight. I went up to my bedroom then and cried. Sounds stupid, I know, but that car meant so much to me, even thinking of it now.

YCI 836 - "Betsy" - Gone But Not Forgotten!

Oh yeah, back on topic, I reckon the new license plate system is better.

Silvera

The major advantage of the old style plates was the fact that they DIDN'T show the year on the plate.

I believe that one of the main reasons the "year on plate" system was introduced in 1987 was to encourage new cars sales.
By making the year of a vehicle obvious, it encourages people to change their cars more often, thus, generating more business for garages AND raising more revenue for the government.

The old system wasn't fully used up in most counties in 1986, except Dublin. For example, County Carlow still had over 23,000 un-issued registration in late 1986.
A variation of the old system, or another similar system e.g. Co. Wicklow : AWW-1, AWW-2..., BWW-1, BWW-2... etc etc could have been used instead. i.e. That didn't show the year of the vehicle.

I too believe we should have "Personalised" or "Cherished" registrations available in Ireland. i.e. registrations which we could transfer each time we traded-in our cars.

Perhaps all the un-issued old series registrations could be re-issued for use as "Cherished Plates" ???

Silvera.

Capt'n Midnight

AFAIK ROI & NI both shared the same reg's

All had either a "Z" or an "I" and down here it was either 1,2 or3 letters and at most 6 characters. - Up yonder it they could have 3 letters and up to 4 numbers,

If you find an old AA handbook it will list all the counties and the regs they used.

DZO 424

PS. in italy they changed from a system with the provience name back to random letters (ie. the opposite of what we've done) - lots of people didn't like it,

ShaneOC

Our last car before the new style plates came in was 3981 ZX. the "zx" was Kerry.

I think the new system is much better. They have a new system in GB (not sure about NI) which sounds nuts.

See here

Silvera

You guys might not be aware of this, but Cherished (sometimes called Private) registrations are big business in the UK, with former Republic of Ireland registrations particularly sought after.
(N.B. These Irish plates were transferred to the UK register prior to 1986. This is no longer possible)

Examples of Irish plates curently for sale in the UK, and their prices (in sterling):

VIP 1 (former Co.Kilkenny reg) - £95,000.
IT 1 (former Co. Leitrim reg) - £82,000.
IM 1788 (former Co. Galway reg) - £18,000.
7575 NI (former Co. Wicklow reg) - £2,595.

And some "cheap" former Irish plates :
OZO 616 - £600.
ZU 3323 - £1,295.

There are literally hundreds (if not thousands) of such plates for sale in the Uk (and NI).


The old system was easy to understand if you took the time to read the list of county letters.

Silvera.

Rookie145

Hi Silvera

I can remember a few.

CI was my native county Laois
IR was Offaly.
IC was Carlow
LI was Westmeath
HI was Tipperary North Riding
TI was Limerick
IE was Clare
NI was Wicklow
BI was Monaghan
IO was Kildare followed by ZW
IM was Galway
IP was Kilkenny

That's the best I can do for you, hope it helps.

Rookie145

Lizzykins

I used to see a car in the local school with reg EI 666 which I swore I would buy if I was in an antichrist mood. EI are my initials! I don't know what county it was from. I think ZG was Dublin as was ZI but I don't remember any more. I'd far prefer the old system and then you wouldn't have people in 08 cars looking down on 98s- you know the type!

Rookie145

Lizzykins wrote: »

I used to see a car in the local school with reg EI 666 which I swore I would buy if I was in an antichrist mood. EI are my initials! I don't know what county it was from. I think ZG was Dublin as was ZI but I don't remember any more. I'd far prefer the old system and then you wouldn't have people in 08 cars looking down on 98s- you know the type!

This has me thinkin', it was IE or EI that was the Clare reg.

Firetrap

Wikipedia has a list of them all

When I was a kid, my parents bought a second hand car with a Limerick reg. I can't quite remember the number but it was something along the lines of 567 PIU. And so, my brother and I immediately dubbed it the "poo car".

Lizzykins

Thanks for that Firetrap. Now I know that EI 666 was a Sligo reg.

I prefer the way things are done now, its so simple to understand. Every other country I've seen (and us up until '87) seem to have a cryptic method of working it out. They're rarely seen nowadays, I'm guessing the NCT wiped most of the remainder out.

flanum

heres me old 1974 beetle. YAI 730

Rookie145

flanum wrote: »

heres me old 1974 beetle. YAI 730

Nice one. What county was it registered in?

flanum

it was registered in dublin i think, must check the log-book.

carchaeologist

It was registered in county meath some time between the 6/74 and the12/74

flanum

i take it by your username you work in car tax office or something like that?

carchaeologist

flanum wrote: »

i take it by your username you work in car tax office or something like that?

Haha no, im just a bit of a registration number fiend!!:DNice beetle by the way, is she still with us?Im guessing its around somewhere as it comes up on cartell as...

Registration YAI730
Make VOLKSWAGEN
Model 1200
Description Not Available
Fuel Type PETROL
So either the car or the taxbook are doing the rounds!

Here are the pre 1987 mark codes(including northern ireland)

AI-Meath IA-Antrim ZA-Dublin
BI-Monaghan IB-Armagh ZB-Cork
CI-Laois (formerly Queens Co) IC-Carlow ZC-Dublin
DI-Roscommon ID-Cavan ZD-Dublin
EI-Sligo IE-Clare ZE-Dublin
FI-Tipperary (North Riding) IF-Cork ZF-Cork
GI-Tipperary (South Riding) IG-Derry ZG-Dublin
HI-Tipperary (South Riding) IH-Donegal ZH-Dublin
II-Not used ZI-Rathdown
JI-Tyrone IJ-Down ZJ-Dublin
KI-Waterford IK-Dublin ZK-Cork
LI-Westmeath IL-Fermanagh ZL-Dublin
MI-Wexford IM-Galway ZM-Galway
NI-Wicklow IN-Kerry ZN-Meath
OI-Belfast IO-Kildare ZO-Dublin
PI-Cork IP-Kilkenny ZP-Donegal
QI-not used IQ-not used ZQ-not used
RI-Dublin IR-Offaly (formerly Kings Co) ZR-Wexford
SI-Dublin IS-Mayo ZS-Dublin
TI-Limerick IT-Leitrim ZT-Cork
UI-Londonderry/Derry IU-Limerick ZU-Dublin
VI-not used IV-Limerick ZV-Dublin/vehicles >30 years old
WI-Waterford IW-Londonderry/Derry ZW-Kildare
XI-Belfast IX-Longford ZX-Kerry
YI-Dublin IY-Louth ZY-Louth
ZI-Dublin IZ-Mayo ZZ-Temporary registrations
Z-Dublin
Also take for instance ZX also went from AZX 123 TO YZX 123(no ZZX),PI from API 123 to ZPI 123 etc. Most of the other marks, though not all did the same.(nothern ireland went up to four numbers after the codes,AXI 1234 whereas the republic stopped at three numbers AZX123)
Lietrim took 69 years to 1972 to use up IT****, whereas dublin had RI**** used by 1921.

It all comes across as very complicated, but if you know the codes and how they were issued it isnt too bad, its possible to date cars easily enough by the number sometimes.

Rookie145

Hey, that was really good. I must save it on my computer, if I can.

Max_Damage

This maybe also handy for reference:

http://www.eircooled.com/numberplates.aspx#eire

thejuggler

Although the newer system is easy to understand I have to say that it has a lot to answer for as "license plate envy" has become rife in the last 20 years. Having the current years car seems to be of utmost importance nowadays. If your car is any older than 3 years its regarded as a banger. Why else do people feel the need to change their car every 3 years (or more often). Cars are perhaps the most expensive commodity that we buy and are subject to the highest rates of depreciation.
Bring back the old system and take some of the pressure off keeping up with the jones's!

Jay P

Theres a (very old) tractor at school with the reg 618 DIE. Class!

Firetrap

I wonder did they ever register a 666 DIE?

carchaeologist

Firetrap wrote: »

I wonder did they ever register a 666 DIE?

DIE666 and 666DIE were co clare issues, cant find any info on DIE666, but 666DIE is/was a ford escort.
DIE1 to DIE999 was issued from 5/62 to 4/63 and the reverse 1DIE to 999DIE from 6/79 to 10/79
Kind of a mad registration number isnt it!!!:D Cant find anything on 1DIE or 2DIE, but 3DIE is/was an Alfa Romeo GTV. I reckon 1DIE and 2DIE were not issued for obvious reasons!!

Hmm, cartell.ie list 666DIE as a Ford Escort. :eek:

EDIT: Dammit, got there before me, lol.

carchaeologist

I wonder what the person buying that MK2 escort new made of their new registration? It was hardly one to show off to the neighbours!!Or pulling up outside the church on a sunday morning!!Haha!!!:D
I would love to know if its still about!!

Max_Damage

carchaeologist wrote: »

I would love to know if its still about!!

€15 into Cartell will tell all.

Rookie145

carchaeologist wrote: »

DIE666 and 666DIE were co clare issues, cant find any info on DIE666, but 666DIE is/was a ford escort.
DIE1 to DIE999 was issued from 5/62 to 4/63 and the reverse 1DIE to 999DIE from 6/79 to 10/79
Kind of a mad registration number isnt it!!!:D Cant find anything on 1DIE or 2DIE, but 3DIE is/was an Alfa Romeo GTV. I reckon 1DIE and 2DIE were not issued for obvious reasons!!

Can you tell me. What cars was ECI 505, FCI 377, 2031 ZC, to mention a few?:rolleyes:

carchaeologist

Rookie145 wrote: »

Can you tell me. What cars was ECI 505, FCI 377, 2031 ZC, to mention a few?:rolleyes:

They dont come up on cartells data base, probably because they were long since scrapped?If its any help,
ECI*** was a laois number issued from 1/66-6/67
FCI***also a laois number from 6/67to7/68
****ZC was a dublin issue from 10/71 to 3/72.

Rookie145

carchaeologist wrote: »

They dont come up on cartells data base, probably because they were long since scrapped?If its any help,
ECI*** was a laois number issued from 1/66-6/67
FCI***also a laois number from 6/67to7/68
****ZC was a dublin issue from 10/71 to 3/72.

ECI 505 was a '66 Austin A40,
FCI 377 was a '67 Vauxhall Viva HB
2031 ZC was a '71 Austin 1300

I always tried to figure out the year of a car by the lettering, i.e. ACI was '61, BCI was '62, CCI was '63, but it appears that's not necessarily the case.;)

carchaeologist

Rookie145 wrote: »

I always tried to figure out the year of a car by the lettering, i.e. ACI was '61, BCI was '62, CCI was '63, but it appears that's not necessarily the case.;)

No, it wasnt, they just used up the numbers as they went, it was dependant on the county, and the amount of cars sold,dublin often went through entire series's of numbers extremly quickly.AZL***toYZL*** was used up from 1/81 to 5/81 to use an example.

Rookie145

carchaeologist wrote: »

Haha no, im just a bit of a registration number fiend!!:DNice beetle by the way, is she still with us?Im guessing its around somewhere as it comes up on cartell as...

Registration YAI730
Make VOLKSWAGEN
Model 1200
Description Not Available
Fuel Type PETROL
So either the car or the taxbook are doing the rounds!

Here are the pre 1987 mark codes(including northern ireland)

AI-Meath IA-Antrim ZA-Dublin
BI-Monaghan IB-Armagh ZB-Cork
CI-Laois (formerly Queens Co) IC-Carlow ZC-Dublin
DI-Roscommon ID-Cavan ZD-Dublin
EI-Sligo IE-Clare ZE-Dublin
FI-Tipperary (North Riding) IF-Cork ZF-Cork
GI-Tipperary (South Riding) IG-Derry ZG-Dublin
HI-Tipperary (South Riding) IH-Donegal ZH-Dublin
II-Not used ZI-Rathdown
JI-Tyrone IJ-Down ZJ-Dublin
KI-Waterford IK-Dublin ZK-Cork
LI-Westmeath IL-Fermanagh ZL-Dublin
MI-Wexford IM-Galway ZM-Galway
NI-Wicklow IN-Kerry ZN-Meath
OI-Belfast IO-Kildare ZO-Dublin
PI-Cork IP-Kilkenny ZP-Donegal
QI-not used IQ-not used ZQ-not used
RI-Dublin IR-Offaly (formerly Kings Co) ZR-Wexford
SI-Dublin IS-Mayo ZS-Dublin
TI-Limerick IT-Leitrim ZT-Cork
UI-Londonderry/Derry IU-Limerick ZU-Dublin
VI-not used IV-Limerick ZV-Dublin/vehicles >30 years old
WI-Waterford IW-Londonderry/Derry ZW-Kildare
XI-Belfast IX-Longford ZX-Kerry
YI-Dublin IY-Louth ZY-Louth
ZI-Dublin IZ-Mayo ZZ-Temporary registrations
Z-Dublin
Also take for instance ZX also went from AZX 123 TO YZX 123(no ZZX),PI from API 123 to ZPI 123 etc. Most of the other marks, though not all did the same.(nothern ireland went up to four numbers after the codes,AXI 1234 whereas the republic stopped at three numbers AZX123)
Lietrim took 69 years to 1972 to use up IT****, whereas dublin had RI**** used by 1921.

It all comes across as very complicated, but if you know the codes and how they were issued it isnt too bad, its possible to date cars easily enough by the number sometimes.

Just came across an old block and white photo of my late father in law, and behind him is a VW Beetle, reg no. SZC 543. What year might that car have been registered in?

Cheers Rookie145

carchaeologist

Rookie145 wrote: »

Just came across an old block and white photo of my late father in law, and behind him is a VW Beetle, reg no. SZC 543. What year might that car have been registered in?

Cheers Rookie145

SZC*** was issued by dublin county council for about two weeks in january 1962(dublin went through their allocations pretty fast)
Any chance you could post up the pic?):D

Rookie145

Sure, as soon as I get my hands on it again. Only two weeks?, car sales in Dublin must have been brisk, even in 1962.

vektarman

Ah yes, I remember the rush in 1977, I may be wrong on the year, when new car owners managed to 'find' Offaly addresses to get a SIR registration.:)

120_Minutes

carchaeologist wrote: »

SZC*** was issued by dublin county council for about two weeks in january 1962(dublin went through their allocations pretty fast)
Any chance you could post up the pic?):D

carch you asked in the what did your dad drive thread for some of the reg's of my dads cars, well here you go:

pir 271
2554 li
7993 li
jsi 301
190 azk
5659 ai


thats all i can remember for now!

carchaeologist

120_Minutes wrote: »

carch you asked in the what did your dad drive thread for some of the reg's of my dads cars, well here you go:

pir 271
2554 li
7993 li
jsi 301
190 azk
5659 ai


thats all i can remember for now!

Ta for thar 120,if you are interested,
PIR*** Offaly Between 6/75 TO 3/76
****LI Westmeath between 8/78 to 2/73
JSI*** Dublin for a few days in jan 83
***AZK Cork 3/83 to 5/83
****AI Meath 10/82 to 12/86
His cars came from all around the country didnt they!!:D

carchaeologist

vektarman wrote: »

Ah yes, I remember the rush in 1977, I may be wrong on the year, when new car owners managed to 'find' Offaly addresses to get a SIR registration.:)

Yep,you are dead right,***SIR lasted from1/77 to 8/77

Ruu_Old

When did the Irish plates start having the Euro flag on them? Just one thing I remember when I was a child. Any ideas?

carchaeologist

Ruu wrote: »

When did the Irish plates start having the Euro flag on them? Just one thing I remember when I was a child. Any ideas?

The 91 registration year,they became euro standard,and plates between 87 to 91 were standard black on white.

Max_Damage

I think we were the first country in Europe to make Europlates compulsory back in 1991. Denmark and the UK still aren't compulsory.

carchaeologist

The UK never seem to want anything european,no euro money,no euro reg standard etc,and we get the rap for lisbon.....:P

carchaeologist

This may answer any questions people have...I know its wikepedia,but it seems accurate enough.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_vehicle_registration_plates

Dasilva94

I remember in the early 80s when AIDS was coming into the news seeing several HIV plates knocking around the place.

Bit awkward for the owners!

vektarman

I wish I had that old reg list at Terenure vintage car show yesterday, a spectator said a car with a CI registration insisted the reg was from Carlow and didn't believe me when I sais it was Laois and that Carlow was IC.