Reg Nos and rebuild plates

[Nick Bullock]

Hi All
I have been trying to decode the serials on a postwar rebuild plate and wondered if any reader could add a little more maybe?

The plate claims an 'S' Repair was carried out on 4/55 at B269, Which i understand to be a commercial garage.

What would an 'S' repair denote, is it a grade of rebuild?

additionally the vehicle reg is 79ZB85, I haven't previously noted any ZB registrations, maybe just not looking closely enough. Does ZB mean it is likely to be ex RAF?

Interestingly this vehicle was in private ownership in Manchester by Sept 1958, so was presumably disposed of earlier in the year, Are there any disposal catalogues out there that may list it for sale

the vehicle is a Humber Box

regards

nick

[welbike]

Nick,

My Key Cards for the 350cc Matchless Motorcycles go from 40ZB46 straight to 98ZB07, (nothing inbetween) and then they are not taken up till 98ZB19

So it's possible, but no RAF connection as far as I know, didn't they have a different system?

Does the RLC museum have any info? bit costly at 25 pounds to find out they haven't!

Cheers,

Lex

[Nick Bullock]

Hi Thanks for the reply and the info. I have since discovered (thanks Clive) that the ZB number was infact an Army number and that all RAF vehicles have plates starting letter 'A'. I was just wanting to be sure where to send my cheque! There wasn't much to be gained by sending payment to Deepcut if the vehicle was infact ex RAF and the records were at Hendon and free to access! Do you ahve any information on any other reg number blocks? in the ZB series?
kind regards
Nick

[welbike]

Hi Nick,

Here's what I have,

Matchless G3 and G3L:

Start 12 YA 60 To 94 YA 08

94 YA 09 To 99 YA 99 NOT TAKEN UP

00 YB 01 G3L (just one entry)

00 YB 02 To 05 YB 60 NOT TAKEN UP

05 YB 61 To 69 YB 21 WITH GAPS !!!

30 ZB 38 To 99 ZB 99 WITH GAPS !!!

30 ZC 09 To 63 ZC 73

63 ZC 74 To 64 ZC 99 NOT TAKEN UP

ZA series????


BSA M20:

Start 62 YC 40 To 99 YC 99

00 YD 01 To 99 YD 99

YE series not available


81 ZB 11 To 94 ZB 22

09 ZC 77 To 80 ZC 77 WITH SMALL GAPS




Norton 16H:



69 YB 22 To 99 YB 99

00 YC 01 To 62 YC 39 WITH GAPS !!!!!

00 ZB 01 To 30 ZB 28 WITH SOME GAPS


So if anyone has any questions about a certain number drop me a line, most motorcycle people know this, but has not been mentioned here before I think.

The BSA M20 cards are all computerised, and also searchable by frame number, am working on the Matchless cards, but this may take another year or so.

Then the Norton cards, we'd better not mention those for the moment!

Cheers,

Lex

[welbike]

This scan from the 1st volume of "Warpaint" by Dick Taylor, a worthwile series of books to have!



Cheers,

Lex