Historic Plates.com.au

The SA Grand Prix Black Plate Register Project

Plates GP 1- 10

Here we start the www.historicplates.com.au project of documenting the history of the Proprietary Right Black Grand Prix Plates, the plates issued in the series 1-199 and sold from the 1985 Grand Prix Historic Garage cocktail parties and various subsequent auctions.

See

http://www.historicplates.com.au/black-grand-prix-white-grand-prix-plates

for more info

GP1

Original Owner: known- the first owner was the Chairman of the Grand Prix Corp, and GP1 was famously registered to a deep navy blue with full red bodykit and rims, 1985 Mercedes-Benz AMG factory prepared 500SEC coupe.

It is interesting to compare the two font styles on the early GP plate (above) and the recent one on the GL, below. The early 1985-1989 (approx) pressed plates (infact all plates including the historic plates were the same), had numeral "1" without a serif, with the 1 being just a vertical line. The letter "I" used the same die too, and this was also the case with the numeral and letter "0". We think these non serif 1's look fantastic. However the change of plate manufacturer to WA and the need for police to accurately and without question clearly identify a plate dictated that the letter "I" and the number "1" be clearly differentiated, hence the new "1" with a serif and the letter "I" receiving an upper and lower serif . This is one way to tell an original issue GP auction plate (of course only if the plate has "1's") from a recent remake/repress.

Another way requires examiming the plates up close and checking the copyright mark. This applies to all black GP plates. There is some collectable difference in the print on the early and late GP plates, with c.1985-9 original issue black Grand Prix Plates featuring the Grand Prix Logo and the copyright "circle-C" next to "South Aust. Govt. 1985." the laterly re-manufactured GP black plates, feature the Grand Prix Logo and the copyright "circle-C" next to "South Aust. Govt. 1989."

For some reason the white GP plates do not have these two different logo copyright dates, even today when remade they are signed with the Grand Prix Logo and the copyright "circle-C" next to "South Aust. Govt. 1985."

The earlier black GP plates signed with the 1985 logo also are of a much higher quality, with much thicker font to the numerals and the paint on the white numerals and the white chequred flag motif being a much glossier and richer cream colour than the later WA made black GP plates.

A plate collector has contacted me and also surmised that this was a miss-print at the number plate manufactory around this time, and that the plates were issued regardless. Both explain the differences in dates on the GP logo.

Today: GP "1" registered on a Mercedes-Benl GL 4WD.

Current Owner: known

 (thanks for the GP1 image Ben)

GP2

Original Owner: GP"2"'s was the Chairman of the Grand Prix Corp, and GP2 was famously registered to several different cars. WANTED: I'd love to source a period picture of the GP "1" and GP "2" cars to add it to the The SA Grand Prix Black Plate Register Project.

Current Owner: known

GP3

Original Owner: GP"3"'s first owner was an associate of the Chairman of the Grand Prix Corp, and GP"3" was famously registered to a red with full red matching bodykit and rims, 1985 Mercedes-Benz, AMG factory prepared 500SEC coupe. Yes, the sister car to the Navy Blue AMG 500SEC of GP"1", these cars were quite a pair and were built and specced at the AMG factory at the same time. This was before AMG were owned by Mercedes-Benz, when AMG was a unique tuning business in Germany. These two were quite a pair on the streets of Adelaide in 1986.

WANTED: I'd love to source a picture of these two cars, I'm certain I have one somewhere on old school 35mm film, but if anyone has a pic I'd love to add it to the The SA Grand Prix Black Plate Register Project.

Original Owner: known

Current Owner: unknown

GP5

Original Owner: known

Current Owner: known

Sold by www.historicplates.com.au in the early 1990’s.

GP9

Original Owner: known

Current Owner: unknown

GP10

Original Owner: known

Current Owner: known. A Champion South Australian International race driver, and fitting to have a low GP plate.

This plate is a custom remake in a larger European size to suit the numberplate bracket on this car, and would have not been an "original" issue plate. To our eyes it looks fine, and has been executed with all the correct elements.

GP14

GP19

Current owner: Known

GP25