USA1 Plate w/ fiber back side

[John Brown]

Since the old search links are no longer able for viewing, I'd like opinions of where and when this plate was first used. It appears to have chrome like gold USA 1 letters and is thin metal wrapped over a fiber backing.

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Collectible-Chevy-License-Plate-Chevrolet-Great-Shape-USA-1-Very-Cool-/00/s/ODQ3WDE2MDA=/z/diUAAOxyNepRl98k/$T2eC16Z,!)kE9s4,BEDtBRl98jk5yg~~60_58.JPG

The plate was sold on ebay a couple of months ago.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Collectible-Chev...=p2047675.l2557 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Collectible-Chevy-License-Plate-Chevrolet-Great-Shape-USA-1-Very-Cool-/300907617411?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item460f7d dc83&nma=true&si=aD1IyG4JXbhkWxEvASY%252FBhMXMg8%2 53D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557)

I'm thinking this was a very early plate but I'm interested in your opinions.

[John Brown]

Back side

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2013/07/full-461-5531-0_usa1_plate_back.jpg

[Mr. Chevy]

Whoever bought that plate got a smokin' deal on it at $9.99!!!!!!

That is 1967 I believe.. Brought back again in 1970.... Rick (Mr.70) is the know all man on these plates and slogans!!

Rich

[John Brown]

Well, it was sold again, this time to a friend about 10 miles down the road from me. Not as cheap as it was the first time, but still at what I feel was very reasonable price.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rare-Repro-GM-19...=p2047675.l2557 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rare-Repro-GM-1960s-Dealer-USA-1-License-Plate-/190865410739?nma=true&si=aD1IyG4JXbhkWxEvASY%252FB hMXMg8%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675. l2557)

It just got delivered yesterday and it looks like it's 1967 all over again. He claims it was the first design Chevrolet USA1 promo plate released before the ones with the painted letters and number. All I can say for sure is that I had the twin to it on the back of my 57 Chevy drag car back in 67 or 68.

[Verne_Frantz]

John,

Weren't USA-1 plates found on cars prior to '67? Maybe back to '62 or earlier?

Verne

[John Brown]

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2013/07/full-461-5563-usa1_from_kc.jpg

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Original-Chevrol...=p2047675.l2557 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Original-Chevrolet-USA-1-or-1-USA-license-plate-rare-yellow-on-green-/281118046013?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4173f0 f73d&nma=true&si=aD1IyG4JXbhkWxEvASY%252FBhMXMg8%2 53D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557)

According to this seller these plates that I assumed were older GM produced plates were actually made by Quality Chevrolet, a GM dealer located in Wichita Kansas. Also according to the same seller the colors changed from year to year, depending on what the colors of Kansas plates were that year. Evidently the seller knows what he is talking about or he has a really good line of BS, cause he has sold a bunch of that style plate in different colors and of varying quality.

[John Brown]

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2013/07/full-461-5564-usa1_1960_kansas.jpg


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Original-Chevrol...=p2047675.l2557 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Original-Chevrolet-USA-1-or-1-USA-license-plate-rare-blue-on-white-/281120771903?nma=true&si=aD1IyG4JXbhkWxEvASY%252FB hMXMg8%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675. l2557)

This one says it is from the same Kansas Chevrolet dealer, vintage 1960.

[John Brown]

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2013/07/full-461-5565-usa1_kansas_1964.jpg

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Original-Chevrol...=p2047675.l2557 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Original-Chevrolet-USA-1-or-1-USA-license-plate-rare-white-on-dark-blue-/281118824454?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4173fc d806&nma=true&si=aD1IyG4JXbhkWxEvASY%252FBhMXMg8%2 53D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557)

Last one, this one says it's from 1964. You be the judge, I'm just repeating what I hear and what I read.

My hands on experience with these plates is rather limited.

[mockingbird812]

eBay ad calls it a "repro"

[John Brown]

The ebay ad also says.....

"EXCELLENT RAISED GRAPHICS, ON THIN METAL W/ PRESSBOARD BACKER...NEVER SAW ANOTHER ON LIKE IT!"

I'd sure like to know who is reproducing them, cause I'd like to have a few at the 9.95 price. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif

[68l30]

Pretty cool plate, never seen one with that color back. All I have seen have the brown back on them.

I can dig mine out and shoot some pics if anyone is interested..


BIG

[John Brown]

I'd love to see pictures of your plate, both front and rear. Post them up here for everyone to see. More information and more pictures beats less information any day.

[68l30]

Ok, here are some quick pics off of my phone.

The back is actually black, the edges are anodized and so is the rear. You can see the detail in the corner.

BIG

[John Brown]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 68l30</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Ok, here are some quick pics off of my phone.

The back is actually black, the edges are anodized and so is the rear. You can see the detail in the corner.

BIG </div></div>

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2013/07/full-461-5531-0_usa1_plate_back.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/ubb/download/Number/35854/filename/image.jpg

If you will notice, the big T mark on the fiber back of the first plate from the early ebay auction and the big T mark on the back from your cell phone picture appear to be the same. I'd bet that mark was an identifier of the company that produced the plate for GM. Thanks for posting those pictures. They help answer some of the questions I had.

[68l30]

Glad to help out <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif


I have many more of USA-1 plates,some with the same fronts and different color backs..Supplier thing I would guess?

I'll have a few on display at the Chevelle show coming up in Strongville OH.



BIG

[John Brown]

NEWS FLASH !!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/271255021880?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&amp;_trksid=p398 4.m1423.l2649

There's another one of the fiber backed early plates on ebay. Not mine and I don't know the seller. Thought some of you's guys might be interested.

[67 Nova Boy]

That would be me bidding on that...thanks

Dave
67 Nova Boy

[John Brown]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: John Brown</div><div class="ubbcode-body">http://www.ebay.com/itm/271255021880?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&amp;_trksid=p398 4.m1423.l2649</div></div>

Congratulations to Frank D. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/flag.gif