Patent Plate Minutiae

[Hugh Barnes]

Thanks Jon - I will add that into the mix. I have been told, from one source, that the plates were originally rivetted, so that adds weight to your suggestion of originality.

[JonE]

here is the detail... quite flush on rear        

[Ivor Hawkins]

I’m finding it difficult to get a half decent shot on a digital camera, but this is the original plate on my very late 1934 RP box saloon...I’ll take better shot with a proper camera and post that ASAP!    
Attached with unoriginal screws...

[Hugh Barnes]

Thanks Ivor!

[Colin Morgan]

This 1923 car (A1-1658), and a couple of others with decent pictures on-line, do not seem to have patent plates fitted.  (However, , cannot find a good on-line picture of a 1924 patent plate - they were sited low down behind the steering column and are often partially obscured.)


  1923 Chummy A1 1658 Dash.jpg (Size: 45.63 KB / Downloads: 142)

[Hugh Barnes]

Thanks Colin...

I am still in need of the run through the 1930s that are seemingly proving elusive to track down. I am particularly interested in a point when the larger plate moved to the smaller plate. I dont think it coincides with the introduction of the Ruby, but I would like to be able to prove it...

[Mike Costigan]

Hugh, the change from large to small plate did not coincide with the introduction of the Ruby. I don't have pictures, but my (early) 1936 Ruby, (late) 1936 van and (early) 1937 Ruby all had the large patent plate. I believe the smaller plate came in quite late, maybe mid-1938, but someone will have the answer.

[Malcolm Parker]

Agreed, my March 1936 Ruby had an original large plate.

[JonE]

This would eventually make a nice pdf document like the one that Frank Stoll has done on RPs.... a Minutiae series!

[Hugh Barnes]

yes John..