"For some crackpot reason we used to change plates every year, later extended to 5 I think, then the permanent black ones sometime in 60s."
Yep, from 1925 until 1941 (steel) plates were issued yearly, then from 1941 until 1964 (steel) plates were issued 5-yearly (source says due to WW2 steel shortages). From 1964 permanent (aluminium) plates were progressively issued-the silver on black ones. From 1986 these changed again to black on white.
The black on yellow (with a circle symbol separating the number groups) plate currently on the vehicle is 1961-1966.
I haven't found any confirmation so far, but my feeling is that the most logical reason for the yearly plate changes were simply to confirm vehicle licencing (aka revenue gathering), a function superseded by the ubiquitous yearly visible "Rego" sticker/label. Perhaps a more senior *cough* NZ forum participant can verify that supposition?
Jon E, you could most likely message the guy (even if you have to sign up to TM to do it). Most of the listers on Trade Me I've done business with are reasonable to deal with. Especially if you state your special interest.
Yep, from 1925 until 1941 (steel) plates were issued yearly, then from 1941 until 1964 (steel) plates were issued 5-yearly (source says due to WW2 steel shortages). From 1964 permanent (aluminium) plates were progressively issued-the silver on black ones. From 1986 these changed again to black on white.
The black on yellow (with a circle symbol separating the number groups) plate currently on the vehicle is 1961-1966.
I haven't found any confirmation so far, but my feeling is that the most logical reason for the yearly plate changes were simply to confirm vehicle licencing (aka revenue gathering), a function superseded by the ubiquitous yearly visible "Rego" sticker/label. Perhaps a more senior *cough* NZ forum participant can verify that supposition?
Jon E, you could most likely message the guy (even if you have to sign up to TM to do it). Most of the listers on Trade Me I've done business with are reasonable to deal with. Especially if you state your special interest.