Does anyone recognize this number plate format

[goodwoodweirdo]

Hi chaps, 

its a long shot and not on a Austin but I'm trying to find the issuing country for the number plate 687 CL-71 its on a prewar Delage. 

Doesn't look NL / BE / FR or UK to me 

many thanks in advance 
Matt

[Mike Costigan]

Does it have black or coloured digits on a white background, or white digits on a black or coloured background? A picture would help, as sometimes the design or letter shape is a clue.

[MartinH]

We need a photo to be sure, but looks like a French number to me. 2,3 or 4 numbers with 2 letters and then the Department number. Department 71 is Saone et Loire.

[goodwoodweirdo]

Thanks Mike, found it, its French Pre-55 

I've seen another Delage for sale and they included a copy of its ID 

many thanks anyway ..

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100% spot on thank you Martin ..

[Reckless Rat]

Department 71 in France is the " Saône-et-Loire" . The county town is Macon in the Beaujolais region.

[goodwoodweirdo]

I'm very impressed in the knowledge of French departments and plates, thanks chaps... then it brings me onto my next question, is it possible to look for previous owners ? does the plate stay with the car in France ?

Thanks Matt

[Reckless Rat]

It does now but not then. Prior to 2009 when the new style plates (without obligatory departmental indicator) were issued for the life of the vehicle, the plates on a French car would only stay the same if the owner was resident in the same department. Registration details were held at Prefecture (county) level. As of now, the system is nation wide and fully digitised and I suspect that type of information is no longer available.

The new style plates are AB-123-CD style.

Prior to then they would be (for example) YH 8633 30 (as on my RP Saloon, the 30 indicating the Gard department.

If any vehicle (even a historic one) is sold or is issued with a replacement registration document, the vehicle will be automatically re-registered under the new system and will lose it's "original" registration.Sad but that's bureaucracy for you.

Classic vehicles with Collector's registration are still permitted to display silver on black plates.

[MartinH]

Reckless is 100% correct (as you'd expect from a local). You will be better tracing history through it's chassis number with the Delage Club(s). If the car is now in the UK then I would start with the Delage Register here. I have contact details if you need them but doubtless the Internet will yield the necessary.

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Just noticed that you are in Belgium so perhaps "Les Amis de Delage" in Paris is a better contact.

[goodwoodweirdo]

Many thanks everyone for your help ! I've mailed the various clubs so fingers crossed

cheers
Matt