What's odd in this pic?

[Oracle]

I am going to offer a free book of the winner's choice in the Nostalgia Road series:

www.transpenninepublishing.co.uk

if anyone can spot what I believe is something odd about a vehicle in this photo of Geoff's:

geoff-plumb.fotopic.net/p36994438.html

Note the A40 seems to have no louvres on the top of the radiator inthe bonnet, which means that it was built between March and August 1951, and is either a a GV3 van with side windows of or a GP3 Countryman...this is the only such vehicle I have ever seen in a photo. I know it's not Underground-related but it's Christmas and I feel generous! And I don't mean the windscreen wipers! The car behind looks like an A40 saloon.

[Oracle]

Hint: front end is anachronistic.

[Deleted]

That's Dr Who's van? ;D

Sam

[Phil]

All I can come up with is that if the number plate is genuine, then it's far older than the vehicle it's on......and since transferring plates from one vehicle to another was almost impossible in those days there is an anachronism there.

[Deleted]

Two guesses:

a) No wing mirrors?

b) Front tyre looks quite wide - is it a radial on a vehicle built for cross-ply tyres?

Otherwise, you got me stumped!

[Deleted]

oracle said:

I am going to offer a free book of the winner's choice in the Nostalgia Road series:

Well, I'm probably barred from entering as the "author" of the picture concerned, but even if I'm not, the book is safe - I haven't got a clue

Can't wait to hear the answer though, so hopefully someone will get it right, or Oracle will eventually spill the beans...

Cheers,
Geoff

[Oracle]

Phil is the winner and wins the book of his choice! Yes, the registration number must have been transferred, as was possible of course in those days, from a post-Grear War vehicle, possibly a commercial. The registration is officially from June 1919 - January 1920 in London County Council except that my database shows that LY-registered vehicles were first registered during the war, so perhaps there was a post-war tidy-up as Councils did from time to time so that they could get old regos into a new batch for convenience.

The Austin would have been purchased free of Purchase Tax, but subject to a paltry 30 mph commercial speed limit on the roads.

[Oracle]

The A40 commercials did have a wing mirror, but on the driver's side only next to the door window.

[Chris M]

It is still legal to transfer registration plates, as long as the registration is not newer than the vehicle it is applied to. This is how the personalised plate industry is able to operate - and as the sale of registration plates makes the DVLA a lot of money its not something they're going to want to stop in a hurry

[SE13]

Just looking at the numberplate, are you sure that's "LY" and not "BY" or "EY" because although my eyesight is far from perfect, there does appear to me to be something dangling slightly to obscure it.

[Oracle]

Well, it could just about be EY 8948...EY was Anglesey as EY ran to September 1951, from 1903! Could they have registered 1,000 vehicles in 6 - 1 month? Good point though! Mods can we agree that all those who posted and di not win can be sent a free copy of my Chevrolet bus book as a consolation, and as some of the suggestions were inspired and witty? PM me your snail mail addresses please if you have not got a copy already and I'll post one in the new year. Phil gets the choice of whatever book he wants...just look online and let me know please.

[Deleted]

se13 said:

Just looking at the numberplate, are you sure that's "LY" and not "BY" or "EY" because although my eyesight is far from perfect, there does appear to me to be something dangling slightly to obscure it.

Hi, as I have the advantage of being able to examine the original slide, I think you are right, the registration does look like "EY" as there is definitely something hanging down that obscures the upper part of the letter - it looks as if the plate might be just "strapped on", rather than properly fixed!

I had a look at the other slides taken on the same day, and unfortunately the vehicle concerned doesn't appear in any other shot...

If it belonged to a member of the staff, then perhaps it appears in other shots somewhere?

Well done to all concerned - it's amazing what crops up in these "yesteryear" pictures!

Regards,
Geoff

[Phil]

I resign my right to the prize. Assuming it was EY (much more likely with the pic being taken at Llanberis in North wales) then I was wrong.

Perhaps SE13 should get it due to his sharp eyesight.

[SE13]

rbruce1314 said:

Perhaps SE13 should get it due to his sharp eyesight.

Sharp?

I win? Maybe not, as we have no definitive answer......

[Oracle]

You all get a prize I decided as there were two great answers! If the Mods can close the thread, and you guys look at the site, PM me your addresses and which book you would like. Phil and Geoff are included. It's then end of the year and I liked the answers. Ca55ie 's answer was truly inspired, by what I don't know! John Pertwee had two Whomobiles I seem to recall, a "flying saucer" thing that I never remember www.3wheelers.com/whomo.html
plus the Siva Edwardian kit, "Bessie".