One
word can be used to describe the short tenure of the
blue base-plates from 1979-1986; Bland! |
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While
the dies that had first begun to appear on plates towards
then end of 1978 would initially be carried over to
the new series, other changes were being implemented.
The most significant of these was the re-sizing of the
decal box and its centered positioning on the bottom
of the plates. This was done to accommodate the introduction
of cyclical license plate renewal and decals that would
be required to clearly show the month of issue. For
registered drivers, the new plates would be issued with
no decal, expiring as per usual at the end of February
of the proceeding year, at which point a 1981 expiration
decal would be dispensed. For those owning cars for
the first time after April 1st, 1979, or purchasing
a vehicle requiring license plates, a decal would be
issued that would remain valid for twelve months, or
until the last day of the end of the month in which
it was purchased. |
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Issued
in blocks of one million plates, the blue base-plates
reverted to the numbering system first used in 1970,
starting at AAA-000 to KKJ-999, and AAL-000 to KKX-999.
What appear, at first to be two different styles of
dies can be seen in these blocks. The first is the traditional
Quebec dies introduced in 1978. The 1979 plate pictured
above is an example of this style. In other cases, such
as the 1980 plate pictured at left, the application
of the white paint was rather overdone leaving a blurred
and poorly defined serial. Nevertheless, in both cases
the dies are the same. |
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The third
million started at ALL-000 and went to KXX-999, and
it is in this block that the first of the Nova Scotia
dies began to appear – being used until the end
of the run in 1986. Not as crisp as the original Quebec
dies, certain numbers and characters such as “3”
easily distinguish these plates.
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| Low
Numbers |
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Although
there isn't very much that is exciting
about the Blue Base Plate, there are always
the low numbers, and pictured above are
some of the lowest. |
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Due
to unforeseen production delays of the new Flag Graphic
in 1985, the blue base-plate series had to be extended
by approximately 150,000 plates, starting at ALA-000
and running through to BRB-999 by the summer of 1985.
In the end, the demise of this base plate was tied to
changing technology and complaints by law-enforcement
of poor visibility. |
| End
of the Series |
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KXX
marked the end of the third million, while
the ASE plate pictured at right was part
of the run of 150,000 plates required
in the summer of 1985 due to delays with
the new Flag Graphic base. The series
of plates pictured at left (i.e. BNK-375
to BNK-399) are part of this same run
and were never issued) |
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| Oddball |
This
oddball showed up for sale in late 2009 as part of the
liquidation of Wes Willoughby's collection: |
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Shown at left is an undated photo of Wes holding the British Columbia No. 1 plate (which is also shown above) along with the No. 1 plate issued to the Governor of Kentucky sometime in the 1970s. |
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Based
out of San Fransisco, Willoughby spent approximately
20 years amassing the first collection of license plates
from every issuing state, nation, province, island and
territory in the world! |
When
this particular plate was listed for sale (at $250 USD
for those who are curious), it was claimed that it had
previously been on the Premier's own vehicle. |
While
it is a common practice in the United States for the
Governor to be issued with plate No. 1, this is not
the case in British Columbia, nor does the single-digit
correspond with the alpha-numeric series used by the
province since 1970. |
Rather,
it is assumed that in his quest for a plate from every
jurisdiction, Willoughby wrote to the Province requesting
a specimen and was presented with what can best be described
as a test plate happening to bare the coveted No. 1. |
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Sources
David Nicholson, "British Columbia
License Plates 1969 - Present", http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Downs/4412/bc.html
(November 5, 2001).
Dan Howlett, "Decoding British Columbia License Plates",
http://www.kasumirecords.com/bcplates/index.htm (October
28, 2001).
Victoria Daily Times Newspaper.
Vancouver Province Newspaper.
Victoria Colonist Newspaper.
Vancouver Sun Newspaper. |
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