Need Chev Lic Plate: "USA-1See America's First"

[njsteve]

I'm looking for one of the Chevrolet front license plates, original or repro that has the bowtie logo on top, USA-1 in gold in the middle and "See America's First" across the bottom. It seems that there is every other version out there in the various catalogs but I haven't found this one yet. Can anyone steer me in the right direction? The plate is going on my Z11 (see attached photo -it's the same one as used on the actual pace cars seen in the pictures from Indy, May 69). Thanks, NJSteve

[Mr70]

Hi Steve
I have all 3 versions of this 69/70 issued plate in my collection.

The first was an Proto-type aluminum Very thin plate with a Black cardboard protective backing that was used at the 1970 National Sales Convention on all the cars in the show.Also used on the Pace cars,in your picture.This has USA-1 is a Highly Reflective gold Plated embosssing,and not painted on.Underneath it says,"See Americas' First".The Bolt holes are round.This plate is VERY Scarce to find in any condition.When you see this Plate in Mint condition,it's reflective aspect really jumps out at you.It was not available to the General public.

The second issue was More common,and a Painted on USA-1 in Flat Gold,pressed onto a Much heavier and thicker metal production Plate.It also says,"See Americas' First".The bolt holes are round.This was available to the Publc through the Dealership and in their merchandising catalog.

The third issue was a Later Reproduction stamped into a thin aluminum plate,with USA-1 Painted with a dull Gold paint.
These bolt holes are Elongated and not round at all.
It says,"See America's First".

There is a fourth design reproduction that is almost identical to the third,but instead of,"See Americas first",it has "See America first".under it.It is not plural,as it originaly was issued.
I will see if I have any Duplicates.
Rick

[njsteve]

That is why I love this site! It's amazing the knowledge that exists out there in the hobby. Please PM me or email me. I would definitely like to find one of these plates, original or later issue is fine. I spent a good hour or so today trying to explain what I was looking for, to the various Camaro parts suppliers out there but they didn't seem to get it. NJSteve

[Belair62]

NJ...keep a sharp eye on E-Bay....they come up from time to time...it's a tough search though.

[Mr70]

This is to whoever L89SS is in Michigan that goes by that ID name on Ebay.I think that is a pretty discpicable thing you did to take my Text and use it almost Verbatim in your Ebay ad.You obviously Lurk on here and saw an opportunity to Manipulate a person who was interested in this plate,and baited him.And No,I am not bitter because I wanted to sell him one of my own.Your Private auction,(so no one could contact him),and over inflated "BUY IT NOW" price 3 hours after I posted my response,leads me to believe you were trying to take advantage of an innocent person just asking for guidance and assistance here.
You could have easily emailed him and told him you had one for sale.Not put on a circus act,using my own words,and behind a curtain as well. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsdown.gif
Rick

[njsteve]

Not to worry Rick, I didn't fall for it. I always follow the belief that if something is too good to be true, it usually is. I'll talk to you later http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/scholar.gif -NJSteve

[yountto]

Steve, Seems they sold pretty quick for being overpriced. $100-120 is a steal for those plates....

[camarojoe]

[ QUOTE ]
Steve, Seems they sold pretty quick for being overpriced. $100-120 is a steal for those plates....

[/ QUOTE ]

I was actually thinking the same thing.

[Bill Pritchard]

Looks like someone from this site has one on eBay right now....
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2461874185&category=10 076

[Mr70]

I was actually thinking the same thing.

[yountto]

Quote "Your Private auction,(so no one could contact him"................Why exactly would a 3rd party WANT to contact the BIDDER of this auction in this case[SEE "auction interference" under ebay bylaws]......????

[njsteve]

Private auctions make me nervous. It usually means there is some shill bidding going on to raise the price. But then again I have been contacted during past auctions by another person's previous disgruntled buyer/seller to tell me how bad they were treated by that particular buyer/seller. They should have an eBay support group for those disgruntled people. I have had pretty good luck in the past, only one bozo in 4 years who bid up a storm on an old chopper bike I had and then never paid.

[yountto]

Steve, Ive had people[3 members on this site that i know of] contact the seller of auctions i WON,telling them not to sell to me because i only buy for resale,or that they sold the item too cheap...I actually like private auctions from a buyer standpoint for that reason...Im assuming that ebay will come up with a plan to stop all the 3rd party intervention at some point.....probably where buyer AND seller will be private,and only those 2 can communicate.I get 30 emails a day of people offering me similar items that im bidding on,simply not fair to the guy that PAYS to list and sell on ebay when these guys make sales[at no cost] off of information that shouldnt be made public information....

[GaryH]

Wow, seeing that plate brought back memories. I know I have a few of them in my attic somewhere. Probably still have bug juice from the 70's on them. I have a few of the red white and blue See The USA plates too. One of these days I'll have to start going through boxes. I have some cool stuff, from back in the day, that I could have out on display.

[joe4sam]

Talk about memorie, I would like to purchase a USA-1 Plate to be placed on the back of the Dick Harrell/Harry Kalwei 70 Camero that we are restoring. Harry will be driving his original 70 Camaro and I would like it to be original with this plat on the back. I don't think it had "See America First" on it though! I don't have pictures as of yet to see which one he had on back.
Thanks,
Joe

[camarojoe]

Thats a Dick Harrell USA-1 plate on the back... see the attached pics of Ray Morrison's awesome 68 COPO Nova for a good pic of what these plates look like. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif http://www.yenko.net/attachments/78507-Motorvatin%20USA%202.jpg

[hvychev]

I know that these probably ain't changin hands often but I want one for my Deuce with the correct slogan for 1970 and later.

[GM-26]

There is a similar plate currently on E-bay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=6763&item=24784692 69

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

Here's one!
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

http://www.carsinbarns.com/Bowties%20In%20Barns/pg76gm.htm

[DarrenX33]

Wow that's something.

[JChlupsa]

<font color="red"> OUCH </font> $512.56 Sold to the highest bidder!!!!!!
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&amp;rd=1&amp;item=7901658843&amp;sspage name=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT

[GM-26]

If you were only able to predict the future! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif Years ago, I remember seeing tons of these plates at local swap meets and not even giving them a second look. At the time, the red, white and blue "USA-1" plate was the popular one to have.