zv plate v. original irish reg

kindalen · 31-07-2009 08:40AM #1

what opinions do people have on this topic?

i know many would much prefer an original irish car. why? really what difference does it make? does the thought of a zv plate make any of you shudder?

Max_Damage · 31-07-2009 09:02AM

Original Irish cars for the win. Looks more original.

I never liked ZV plates, always thought they were very 'fake' looking. I'd rather a 78-D-xxx or whatever plate if it was an import.

corktina · 31-07-2009 09:21AM

ZV plates are OK with 4 numbers...i dont like them with 5...but at the end of the day, its just a plate and if you dont like it, invent your own number for shows and swap the plates once off the road...

Dades · 31-07-2009 09:37AM

Had a 72 D XXX on my first classic, got a ZV on the second.

Meh - whatever floats your boat! Neither will stop the rust.

Bear in mind if you get a ZV you can change to a year-type reg at any stage - but not vice-versa.

2cv · 31-07-2009 09:38AM

corktina wrote: »

ZV plates are OK with 4 numbers...i dont like them with 5...but at the end of the day, its just a plate and if you dont like it, invent your own number for shows and swap the plates once off the road...

I'm with Tina on this one

it's only a number...

Original reg looks more original sure, but if you ask me, i'd prefer to buy a car in the UK...

If you have the choice between a UK car that was well taken care of and a car that's been battered around irish roads for 30 odd years...

And please don't say "but they've got salt on the roads"

PaulK_CCI · 31-07-2009 09:48AM

Dades wrote: »

Bear in mind if you get a ZV you can change to a year-type reg at any stage - but not vice-versa.

That's actually the other way around

with regards to the issue at hand, I would think that an original Irish plates adds a small bit of extra value to the car, knowing that the car was sold from new in Ireland, but to be honest, ultimately it's the condition of the car that is the real winner here. Not much use having an original Irish car, left for scrap which can be an eyesrore, whereas a beautifully preserved or restored example on 66 - D - xxx can be a feast to the eyes!

artic · 31-07-2009 09:49AM

Nah, you cant beat an original Irish car on Irish plates,ZV plates would be my second preference, dont really like age related plates. But have to agree with a previous post in relation to sourcing cars from the UK,Irish cars do seem to be overpriced compared to their UK counterparts and some may say better quality too?.

Dades · 31-07-2009 10:05AM

PaulK_CCI wrote: »

That's actually the other way around

Really?! Doh! Just as well I never went to avail of a change... :pac:

PaulK_CCI · 31-07-2009 10:13AM

Dades wrote: »

Really?! Doh! Just as well I never went to avail of a change... :pac:

It's confusing I know, but the possibility to change from 66-D-xxx to ZV was introduced as a 'loophole' to allow those people that had imported a vehicle between '86 (when the system was changed to reflect the year denomination country wide) up until '92 (when the ZV system was introduced) to opt for a ZV plate. In this interim period, ANY car that was imported, received the 77 - WX - xxx style plates, and there was no choice...

Sids Not · 31-07-2009 01:30PM

I just couldnt afford an Irish car tbh....for me, its age related plates (takes away the guessing aspect :rolleyes:)...those ZV plates just look wrong on a classic imo....and now with all the digits they're starting to look like the owners PPS number ..:P

What will happen when they get to ZV 99999 ?...will the next one be say ,ZV1 1 .. or will they add yet another number ZV 100000...

BTW..does this Datsun's reg mean that there are at least 36951 ZV registered cars before it not including the age related ones..

corktina · 31-07-2009 01:40PM

no it doesnt.numbers are allocated to different counties/cities and there will be a lot of gaps

Wishbone Ash · 31-07-2009 02:03PM

PaulK_CCI wrote: »

That's actually the other way around

Dades wrote: »

Really?! Doh! Just as well I never went to avail of a change... :pac:

Once you select a 'ZV' it can't be changed (except by a ministerial order).

Statutory Instrument 357/1991

(5) ( a ) The identification mark to be assigned to a vehicle to which this sub-article applies shall consist of the index mark ZV and a number assigned to the vehicle by the licensing authority.

( b ) This sub-article applies to a vehicle in relation to which:—

(i) an application for a first licence is being made or where first registration in the State took place on or after the 1st day of January, 1987, and

(ii) the applicant for a licence satisfies the licensing authority that the vehicle was constructed more than 30 years prior to the commencement of the period in respect of which the licence is sought, and

(iii) the applicant for a licence requests the assignment of an identification mark which incorporates the letters ZV as an index mark.

(6) An identification mark assigned to a vehicle in accordance with this article shall remain assigned to the vehicle and no other such marks shall be assigned to the vehicle save in such circumstances as may be determined by the Minister

macplaxton · 31-07-2009 04:48PM

Either/or. I don't mind a four digit ZV or an original Irish reg as they both can be displayed in the correct period size/format/style.

corktina · 31-07-2009 05:18PM

in these difficult times, the Govt could make some dosh by releasing unused numbers in the old series , surely this would be very popular

carchaeologist · 31-07-2009 05:46PM

macplaxton wrote: »

Either/or. I don't mind a four digit ZV or an original Irish reg as they both can be displayed in the correct period size/format/style.

I agree totally,the 5 digit ZVs are plain wrong end of story.

Luke Crowley · 31-07-2009 09:33PM

Genuine Irish plates always look better, I reckon. A lot of the time, it's simply because they're much rarer than ZV plates, and also because it's nice to see a pre-87 car that's spent its whole life in this country.

And then there's the case of the Mk. IV Cortina I saw at a show a couple of years ago. It was a 2.3 Ghia automatic with all the goodies, and looked in really nice shape. It also had a 'Guaranteed Irish' sticker in the back window, which implies it was made at the old Ford factory in Cork (which is really close to where I live) and to top it all off, it was on a PI plate. An identical car built in Dagenham and on a ZV plate wouldn't have the nearly the same appeal.

G Luxel · 31-07-2009 11:20PM

I own a few cars and only one of them has a ZV. I wrote to the department of transport about replacing the ZV plate with an age-related plate xxxx ZK and I didnt even get an acknowledgement.:mad: I think if you import a car, you should be given an age-related plate like 9854 ZI or RYI 45, something period and authentic. I now see so many Euro plate ZVs which are hideous.

galwaytt · 31-07-2009 11:38PM

I used to like ZV's, but now I......prefer the year ones.

E.g. - isn't this just cool ? In a few years it'll be 100 !!

macplaxton · 01-08-2009 12:16AM

G Luxel wrote: »

I own a few cars and only one of them has a ZV. I wrote to the department of transport about replacing the ZV plate with an age-related plate xxxx ZK and I didnt even get an acknowledgement.:mad: I think if you import a car, you should be given an age-related plate like 9854 ZI or RYI 45, something period and authentic. I now see so many Euro plate ZVs which are hideous.

+1 If you've got a four digit ZV, at least display it properly!

Like this:

Not like this:

Or lordy this!

To the avid numberplate fan, no matter what system you devise, it's always going to look like age-related plate. Only un-issued numbers could be used and it would depend on availability.

Max_Damage · 01-08-2009 01:06AM

So far, the oldest post-87 plate I've heard off is: 10-D-20

I've a pic of a Ford Model T on my hard drive with 18-G-xx plates. I'll post it when I'm not on the iPod Touch!

corktina · 01-08-2009 07:27AM

Luke Crowley wrote: »

Genuine Irish plates always look better, I reckon. A lot of the time, it's simply because they're much rarer than ZV plates, and also because it's nice to see a pre-87 car that's spent its whole life in this country.

And then there's the case of the Mk. IV Cortina I saw at a show a couple of years ago. It was a 2.3 Ghia automatic with all the goodies, and looked in really nice shape. It also had a 'Guaranteed Irish' sticker in the back window, which implies it was made at the old Ford factory in Cork (which is really close to where I live) and to top it all off, it was on a PI plate. An identical car built in Dagenham and on a ZV plate wouldn't have the nearly the same appeal.

ah yes but it is a fact that many of the cars you see on old irish plates are ringers.I know of someone who has reproduced Guaranteed irish stickers even.

Sids Not · 01-08-2009 08:23AM

corktina wrote: »

ah yes but it is a fact that many of the cars you see on old irish plates are ringers.

Surely not...............:eek:

Max_Damage · 01-08-2009 09:12AM

This plate would turn far more heads than a 'ZV' one would:

corktina · 01-08-2009 10:11AM

im sure a while ago I saw a very early plate, my memory tells me it was pre 1910 which intrigued me as it raises the question of what happens when the current series reaches that point..

...lets say it was 01 C 1...would the first 2001 plate therefore be 01 C 2?and what if in 2010 you import a 1910 car half way through the year? Would it bear the number 10 C 5000 (or whatever)? I bet you'd have all sorts of trouble getting it taxed and NCT exempt and no end of stops by the Gardai!!!

eamon234 · 01-08-2009 10:16AM

corktina wrote: »

im sure a while ago I saw a very early plate, my memory tells me it was pre 1910 which intrigued me as it raises the question of what happens when the current series reaches that point..

...lets say it was 01 C 1...would the first 2001 plate therefore be 01 C 2?and what if in 2010 you import a 1910 car half way through the year? Would it bear the number 10 C 5000 (or whatever)? I bet you'd have all sorts of trouble getting it taxed and NCT exempt and no end of stops by the Gardai!!!

That could be tricky alright - I imported a 99 car last year in Limerick and the reg I got was 7307 - there were a lot higher numbers than that in 1999 which i found strange

I agree with you on the ringer thing as well - it's pretty much common practice these days.

Satrastar · 01-08-2009 10:31AM

Registration plates are something only anoraks pay much attention to.

Most people don't know that ZV plates aren't original Irish.

Original Irish plates should be for original Irish cars only.

If people want their cars to seem original Irish, then they should buy original Irish cars.

I would be against releasing the old series for imported classics.

On the other hand, they really should address the 5 digit issue

corktina · 01-08-2009 12:50PM

5 digits is unnecessary isnt it.... and it looks daft at shows where 2 out of three cars are all in the ZV series.

macplaxton · 01-08-2009 12:51PM

Satrastar wrote: »

I would be against releasing the old series for imported classics.

I'm for the releasing of old format / previously un-issued series for imports. The number plate anoraks will still know an import from an original.

The other thing is transfers should be able to take place under certain conditions. A massive untapped revenue stream. Especially if a new format was added so you could make what you like out of 10 digits of your choice (with a "as long as it isn't offensive" clause).

corktina · 01-08-2009 12:57PM

absolutely, and for modern cars too...the yanks do it I think....massive money to be made even in this small country

Satrastar · 01-08-2009 01:17PM

macplaxton wrote: »

I'm for the releasing of old format / previously un-issued series for imports. The number plate anoraks will still know an import from an original.

People want an original Irish plate because it appears more original. But why should a car be allowed to appear original when it's not?

Max_Damage · 01-08-2009 01:32PM

^ Agreed.

unkel · 01-08-2009 01:44PM

eamon234 wrote: »

I imported a 99 car last year in Limerick and the reg I got was 7307 - there were a lot higher numbers than that in 1999

You sure? There were roughly about 90000 cars sold in Dublin in '99. About 7000 could very well be right for Limerick for '99 given the difference in population size, etc.

rabbit Stew · 01-08-2009 01:46PM

I personally prefer ZV plates on older cars.
Purely for aesthetic reasons.
Once it's done correctly on the right coloured plate it's great.
Anyone who's interested will know it's an import.

I'd compare having age related plates to sticking shiney new alloys on a thirty year old car.
It just doesn't look right.

corktina · 01-08-2009 02:37PM

unkel wrote: »

You sure? There were roughly about 90000 cars sold in Dublin in '99. About 7000 could very well be right for Limerick for '99 given the difference in population size, etc.

and that would be LK rather than L numbers...

carchaeologist · 01-08-2009 03:18PM

Its hard to say what is the best thing to do but i will say a new system should be devised,all the 5 digit ZVs should be recalled.

It defeats the point of having a historical numberplate series if that series is completly unlike any series that has gone before it.

Even if you try to make then look like a plate of the era the car was from,it still looks wrong because of the 7 digits and letters.

I know only the anoracks will see these things,but it wouldnt have taken much to get it right.

When i am King i will make it all better.....:D;)

Max_Damage · 01-08-2009 03:23PM

As a whole, I think we should introduce the American system for reg. Plates i.e. random set of numbers and letters. It would remove alot of issues with the current system.

corktina · 01-08-2009 06:07PM

carchaeologist wrote: »

Its hard to say what is the best thing to do but i will say a new system should be devised,all the 5 digit ZVs should be recalled.

It defeats the point of having a historical numberplate series if that series is completly unlike any series that has gone before it.

Even if you try to make then look like a plate of the era the car was from,it still looks wrong because of the 7 digits and letters.

I know only the anoracks will see these things,but it wouldnt have taken much to get it right.

When i am King i will make it all better.....:D;)

you are KING in my book bud

carchaeologist · 01-08-2009 07:12PM

corktina wrote: »

you are KING in my book bud

Lol...what kinda book is that..the Sad Anorack 2009 directory!;):p

corktina · 01-08-2009 09:02PM

gosh no, I only read the pictures anyway

unkel · 01-08-2009 09:14PM

corktina wrote: »

and that would be LK rather than L numbers...

There would be fewer L regs than LK regs though?

Thinkingaboutit · 01-08-2009 10:09PM

Car from '71 ZV, bike from '76 year, and next bike from '83 if I manage to get it, year too.

macplaxton · 02-08-2009 12:15AM

But it wouldn't appear original, it would just be in keeping with the old system.

XX nnnn
nnnn XX
XXX nnn
nnn XXX

Just don't have I or Z in them. 6 character plates. Sorted.

The problem with ZV nnnnn is that you can't fit it in the correct specs to the optional compliance of the 1982 regs.

corktina · 02-08-2009 02:08AM

maybe VIN xxx or VET xxx would suit

carchaeologist · 02-08-2009 01:27PM

corktina wrote: »

maybe VIN xxx or VET xxx would suit

VIN*** was already a kerry series in the 70s.

The problem with ZV nnnnn is that you can't fit it in the correct specs to the optional compliance of the 1982 regs

Exactly..the plate is too crowded.

Three and four digit ZVs look great when laid out properly

PaulK_CCI · 02-08-2009 03:05PM

Compared to other European countries, the ZV is not so bad really but they should indeed scrap the 5 digit system.

Releasing old numbers should not be an option, as it would complety render all the True original Irish number obsolete, as you would not be able to distinguish between a reg number that was originally issued in 66 and an import from 2009 !!!

When I look at holland, they allocate unused digit sets that are completely in keeping with the period when they were issued from new, but anyone knowing their beans would know they are imports, more or less similar to the way ZV was used. This was a series never issued, and therefore in keeping with the period issuing, but they woudl be immediately recognisable as being imported.

I would suggest to look for more unused digits, either country wide or per county, so maybe they could move to ZY (has that ever been issued?) Or what about the "T"? Is that a county denomination? TA, TB etc...

That should give the Vehicle licensing endless possibilities. The cars would look authentic, but would still be recognisable as an import.

macplaxton · 02-08-2009 03:34PM

The UK used to issue an "A" suffix to pre-'63 cars subjected reg transfers. Looked awful. Nowadays non-suffix registrations are allocated such as the previously unused "SV" and "SU" plates. Respects the old format, doesn't get confused with originals.

carchaeologist · 02-08-2009 05:04PM

PaulK_CCI wrote: »

I would suggest to look for more unused digits, either country wide or per county, so maybe they could move to ZY (has that ever been issued?) Or what about the "T"? Is that a county denomination? TA, TB etc...

ZY has been used both ways,it was a co Louth issue,although not completly in ****ZY format,it went to 2507 ZY by 31 Dec 1986.

Unissued series include:
****IC (carlow)
****IT(leitrim)
****IX(longford)
****WI(waterford city)
Which would make 40.000 numbers to use,although there seems to be no completly unused Z plates left.
Some counties have unissued marks also,Kerry for instance has most of ***CIN to ***ZIN and ***AZX to ***YZX,which is also a huge number of potential issues.Im sure other counties have similar if i went looking.

I dont know why they didnt use one of the above when the ZV four digits began running out,because ZV was a Dublin issue in the 80s anyway(AZV*** to YZV***) Anyone can see the ZV12345 plates look rubbish.

Yes its only a small thing,and i know most people dont care what their number plate looks like,but it wouldnt have taken much to get it right.

Looking at the original ZV issues from 1992,Carlow,Cavan and Clare only had 200 numbers allocated each!I suppose it was different times back then,theres many more cars being imported now than there was back then,and in 1992 it was 1962 cars and older that were only eligible for ZVs so it looked like there was loads to go around.

Im guessing the 30 year rule on ZVs will be frozen in 2017,when 1987 cars are 30 years old:eek:,it would be silly to continue issuing ZVs to cars originally registered after 1987.

G Luxel · 03-08-2009 12:23AM

Isnt there any numbers beginning with Z? like ZIM or ZZK? and another number I dont remember seeing was IS, although I have seen a lot of SI, including a 1970s Ford Dorchester with this plate SI xxxx.
A school bus I travelled on used to have xxx Z.

G Luxel · 03-08-2009 12:31AM

corktina wrote: »

im sure a while ago I saw a very early plate, my memory tells me it was pre 1910 which intrigued me as it raises the question of what happens when the current series reaches that point..

...lets say it was 01 C 1...would the first 2001 plate therefore be 01 C 2?and what if in 2010 you import a 1910 car half way through the year? Would it bear the number 10 C 5000 (or whatever)? I bet you'd have all sorts of trouble getting it taxed and NCT exempt and no end of stops by the Gardai!!!

you are right,. I did see a picture of 04 C 6? which is in IVS at a veteran rally, well it is some number like this. Some of those British Army vehicles have numbers like ours, eg 08 KE 45..

carchaeologist · 03-08-2009 12:17PM

G Luxel wrote: »

Isnt there any numbers beginning with Z? like ZIM or ZZK? and another number I dont remember seeing was IS, although I have seen a lot of SI, including a 1970s Ford Dorchester with this plate SI xxxx.
A school bus I travelled on used to have xxx Z.

IS was a Mayo issue,because they ran out of IZ combinations by 1983,it was never issued in IS**** or ****IS format only in AIS*** to HIS 990 by 1987.
So that is another combination that is unused, IS**** and ****IS,unique in that both versions are availible.

SI**** was a 1986 Dublin issue,so that dorchester was probably an import.

Im guessing that that school bus was one of the yellow Bedfords that bus eireann used to run.I went to school on many of them myself.That Z plate is from 1971.

Henry Ford III · 26-08-2009 06:50PM

My old car is 30 years old next week. Wondering whether to stay with the 79 L **** reg or go for a ZV*****

Ant thoughts?

zv plate v. original irish reg

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