Number plates are our bread and butter and we love delving into some number plate history and trivia.
So, in today’s blog, we’ll explore classic and vintage number plates and explain everything you need to know about these unique registrations.
From the options available to where to buy classic plates, which cars are eligible for classic registrations, and more, let’s kick things off with a quick history lesson from the world’s oldest number plate manufacturer, Framptons (part of Jepson & Co).
The history of classic number plates
The Motor Act of 1903
The Motor Act of 1903 dictated that all vehicles must have identification marks affixed to them. This was due to an influx of new vehicles and the need to identify them in case of accidents or law-breaking. The act was introduced in 1903 and was put into effect in January 1904.
A timeline of Framptons - classic number plate manufacturer
1903 - 1925
Framptons was a well-known sign maker at the time of The Motor Act, and they were asked to hand-paint white letters and numbers directly onto motor vehicles. After a few years, this handwritten method was updated, and Framptons began to produce a larger volume range of embossed aluminium number plates to affix to vehicles, instead.
1925 – 1949
Nationwide growth followed for Framptons and in 1925, they established a revolutionary printing method using celluloid, something closer to acrylic, instead of tinplate.
Unfortunately, however, the Second World War meant changes for the business and country. So, instead of number plates, Framptons helped the war effort by spraying and assembling steel helmets for soldiers.
1950 - 1970
The 1950s and 1960s saw a boom in motor vehicles, with more people able to afford them after the war. As a result, number plate production processes were once again refined and improved. This meant further expansion for Framptons who continued to produce high-quality number plates for British motorists.
1970 - 2024
As you might expect, Framptons continued to innovate in the latter 20th century, developing an advanced stove enamelling system coupled with a conveyor belt system. This allowed the company to stove 1,000 blank plates a day, with digits hand-riveted at trade customers’ premises up to the 1970s.
During this period, Framptons also began to produce white and silver digits to go with their blank registrations. This brought the entire process in-house and established Framptons as a powerhouse in the number plate game.
Jepson & Co supported another national effort in 2020 when COVID-19 hit the world. The company became a regional winner in the 2020 Manufacturing Awards for creating modular sneeze guards, which served as transparent personal protection barriers to help businesses serve their customers more safely. Once again, this shows that in the face of crisis, Jepson & Co can innovate and help the people of the UK.
Today, every Framptons number plate is manufactured in their Sheffield premises using traditional equipment, dies, and manufacturing methods. Every plate is made by hand for something truly unique, and they’re the business that puts the finishing touches to classic vehicles around the UK.
In fact, Framptons has become a somewhat famous business in the UK after appearing on Salvage Hunters Classic Cars on more than one occasion. Drew Pritchard, famous for his love of all things vintage, commended Framptons and said this about Framptons: “I think you should really go for it with number plates because it changes the look of the entire car.”
Couldn’t agree more, Drew!
If you have a pre-1980 vehicle and would like to own your own black and white or black and silver classic number plates, you can buy them online with Framptons.
Rules for having classic number plates on your car
Classic number plates can’t be affixed to any vehicle and British law stipulates that only those registered before January 1st, 1980 as historic vehicles, can have classic registrations. The goal is to help classic vehicles maintain their authentic appearance whilst adhering to DVLA guidelines.
UK classic number plates available today
Framptons is still going strong in 2024 with a selection of classic number plates for vehicles registered before January 1st, 1980. These include:
Pressed aluminium classic number plates
Pressed aluminium classic number plates are created by hand using stoving enamels, original dies, and custom-built equipment. Available to suit all kinds of vehicles thanks to square and oblong designs, browse Framptons pressed aluminium classic registrations.
As well as car number plates, Framptons sells classic pressed aluminium motorbike number plates, too. These come in many shapes and sizes from square to oblong, shield, and different curved options.
Smooth acrylic classic number plates
Smooth acrylic classic number plates for cars feature silver characters visible through a sprayed black acrylic. As well as smooth acrylic classic motorbike number plates for cars, Framptons manufactures them for bikes registered before January 1st, 1980.
Popular with racing vehicles, smooth acrylic classic number plates are available in oblong and square shapes. They can also be custom-designed for different shapes and sizes for an extra cost, starting at £75.
Self-adhesive classic number plates
With silver and white character options available, self-adhesive classic number plates are flexible and adhesive-backed. Ideal for vehicles without the space for standard number plates, they come in different sizes and can be designed differently for various cars.
You can browse self-adhesive classic number plates here.
Raised riveted white classic number plates
Raised riveted white classic number plates feature 3D-style injection moulded plastic characters that are riveted by hand to an aluminium plate with a bevelled edge. They’re perfect for practical classic vehicles from the 1950s and come in two sizes.
Raised riveted black classic number plates
Reflective-coated aluminium plates with a bevelled edge are adorned with hand-riveted, 3D-style injection moulded plastic characters. They’re available in silver or yellow with black digits.
Browse raised riveted black classic number plates here.
Ribbed classic number plates
Corrugated silver digits are visible through a sprayed black acrylic with ribbed classic number plates. A fantastic alternative to smooth acrylic, they look great on vehicles from the mid-1960s and early 70s.
Hand-painted classic number plates
Hand-painted classic number plates are aluminium reg coated with black enamel, available in multiple sizes. The registration characters are hand-painted in white.
On top of the many classic number plates they have available, Framptons also provides a range of number plate fixings for all the styles they offer.
Buy classic number plates
Buy road-legal classic/vintage number plates at the Framptons website, and if you’re looking for a dateless number plate or suffix registration, search with National Numbers. We have over 40 years of experience and 69+ million combinations available, so you’re sure to find something that works for you.
