Blank VIN Plates Found

[flux3d]

It's funny how people who had contact with DMC in the 80's come out of the woodwork when you attend shows. This happened the other weekend while I was raising money for Parkinsons outside the Phoenix Art Centre in Leicester, not far from where I live in the UK. It was an 80's gaming and theme event called RetroActive, and as part of the day they were showing a number of 80's films on their various screens, starting with Back to the Future. It was great to see the film again on the big screen, especially the moment when the DeLorean appears for the first time - magical! Anyway, during the fundraising afterwards (donate min £2 to sit in the car etc) a guy came up to me and said "I've got a few blank VIN plates for these". :shock:

Seems during the 80's he worked for Renault here in the UK and for some reason a box of blank VIN plates turned up out of the blue. Instead of being sent back on onto DMC everyone nicked a few each and said nothing more. Now years later he he is, having never seen a real DeLorean in the flesh, looking at one on my car. Anyway, he took down my details and said he's see if he could find them and maybe pass a couple on to me (as a fan of the car). True to his word he did, and here it is!

22477

[Delorean02378]

Now that's something I've not seen before. Very cool. Definitely a keeper.

Thanks for sharing.

[Dangermouse]

Definitely very cool

[dmcnorway]

Very cool.

AFAIK, the blank VIN plates were made by *drumroll* ... TALBOT!

Best wishes

Stian Birkeland
Norway

[thirdmanj]

Duuuuude. That's awesome.

[Jimmyvonviggle]

That definitely must have some value if you want a "new build".

[Bitsyncmaster]

That definitely must have some value if you want a "new build".

Think you would need a title to go with your new VIN.

[flux3d]

Yeah, not very useful unless you are making a new build, but still a great collectors item nether the less!

DMCNorway, I can believe they were made by Talbot. That's just so DMC. I remember my father had a Talbot Alpine. Dreadful car!

[nick sutton]

At the end of 1978 Peugeot took over the Chrysler factory in Coventry and reintroduced the Talbot car name which had laid dormant for a number of years (the factory was built by originally Rootes/Hillman). A significant number of DMC staff came from Chrysler UK to work at Dunmurry. Possibly a link there.

Nick

[flux3d]

Thanks Nick,

I might be mistaken then about the guy working for Renault, maybe he said Peugeot instead. Would make far more sense. Closer to where I am in Leicester, so maybe he worked there. I'll have to email him and ask for the full story.

Mark

[nick sutton]

I have researched my records; part no 110573 was released by Engineering on 18 Nov 1981 the description is shown as "Federal Compliance Plate" the manufacturer is shown as Primographic Co Ltd. However, part no 110574 is shown as the "Canadian Compliance Plate" with the manufacturer shown as Talbot (Peugeot).

Hope this helps in clarifying the situation.

Nick

[Domi]

Interesting find :)
Did this guy has a few more to sale?

[flux3d]

Cheers Nick, even better info. So it was indeed Talbot that made them, well Peugeot via Talbot. Interesting...

He did say that he had a few more. I've contacted him for the exact story and I'll post it back here when I get it, plus details if he has any more.

mark

[Domi]

Many thanks!

[dmcnorway]

Primographic Co Ltd. - Are they still in existence?

Stian Birkeland
Norway



I have researched my records; part no 110573 was released by Engineering on 18 Nov 1981 the description is shown as "Federal Compliance Plate" the manufacturer is shown as Primographic Co Ltd. However, part no 110574 is shown as the "Canadian Compliance Plate" with the manufacturer shown as Talbot (Peugeot).

Hope this helps in clarifying the situation.

Nick

[flux3d]

Well, here we go, sooner than I thought.... Dave came back to me with some more details...

Hi Mark

I came about the vin plate when I worked at the Peugeot plant in Coventry, which in the 80s was the talbot factory, I was told a box of delorian vin stamps was accidentally delivered, they were useless so chucked out, only to be rescued by some of the old maintenance guys, I came across them when one of the old guys was clearing out his old locker, he let me have a couple, one of which I sent you. I usually have a drink with my old colleagues around Christmas time so will ask if there are anymore.

Best Regards

Dave

So, the Talbot link is indeed there. Great story as well. Love the image of the maintenance guy who saves them from the rubbish, keeps them in his old locker for all those years and then when he's finally clearing out his stuff passes on a couple. Then one finally finds its way back to a DeLorean owner and the community. Sounds like there might be more kicking about as well. I'll keep you posted.

I love how these stories seem to surface that add to the strange myth like nature of the whole DeLorean venture.

[Domi]

I usually have a drink with my old colleagues around Christmas time so will ask if there are anymore.


I'll buy one if his agree to sales to me.

[aipri]

Very cool find! And even better story behind it! Like many people my age I first fell in love with the Delorean from BTTF, however a larger part of my love for the car is all of the interesting, controversial, and almost unbelievable stories behind the car and the company. Obviously these stories all still surfacing.

[Sidaries]

I have researched my records; part no 110573 was released by Engineering on 18 Nov 1981 the description is shown as "Federal Compliance Plate" the manufacturer is shown as Primographic Co Ltd. However, part no 110574 is shown as the "Canadian Compliance Plate" with the manufacturer shown as Talbot (Peugeot).

Hope this helps in clarifying the situation.

Nick

I checked the Texas Delorean Club's registry and I think this was somehow different. There are two part number for the VIN plates. One is 105196 and the other is 110573. The first was in 1981, the second in 1982.
So I think Talbot made the 110573 part number plates.

[bastien-fma]

Nice find ! 8)
I am interested if he sales more !