"USA 1 See America's First" License Plates

[cudino]

There's an old post on here about the introduction of Chevrolet's License Plate with slogan "USA 1 See America's First!":
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/347335/2

In this post it mentions that Chevrolet first made this plate from 65-67, using cardboard backing, and that this plate was reissued during mid 1970 production using a heavier plate that no longer used the cardboard backing. This post also mentions that this reissued plate may have been used as early as 1968, but that wasn't certain. As some of you know I am restoring my '69 Camaro Pacecar #2, and as part of this restoration I was looking at old photos from the Indy500 museum. What I found was that this reissued plate was installed onto the Festival and both Pacecars, so there is photographic evidence showing usage of this plate as early as May of 1969.

Attached are zoom-in pictures I took of pictures I got from the Indy500 museum archives. One pair (in black/white) is the front and rear plates of a Festival car, and the other is the front plate of the #1 Pacecar (in color).

Also, I have one of these plates, but I would like a couple more, in case anyone has one.

- Wade

<a href="http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pic...car1_fron" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pic...car1_fron (http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2014/09/full-11520-16102-license_plate_of_pacecar1_fron)</a>
<a href="http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pic...ival_car_" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pic...ival_car_ (http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2014/09/full-11520-16103-license_plate_of_festival_car_)</a>
<a href="http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pic...ival_car_" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pic...ival_car_ (http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2014/09/full-11520-16104-license_plate_of_festival_car_)</a>

[Tracker1]

I couldn't get the pics to show up...does Vernon Smith have one of these plates too Wade? <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/wink.gif

[cudino]

I just tried again to attach the pictures, but it fails. Two are 1.6M, and one is 2M, but it sounded like there was a 4M size limit. Not sure what's up, maybe someone can advise me.

As for Vernon, actually Gary Riley is restoring my car, and has Vernon's car at his shop as well. So I already relayed my findings to Gary. Gary doesn't think Vernon has one yet, which is why I was asking if anyone out there has a few of these. I have one, I'd like one more to have 2 for my car, and my guess is that Vernon would like two as well.

- Wade

[John Brown]

Here is what the first plates produced looked like, or maybe these are the second version but still in the 65 to 67 era, since I have heard that the very first had slanted lettering in the middle of the little blue Chevrolet emblem at the top.

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/ubb/download/Number/35855/filename/image.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/ubb/download/Number/35854/filename/image.jpg

[cudino]

Thanks John. Yes, that's what seems to be on the '69 pacecars as well. I'm sorry that I can't seem to post these pics, not sure why. On my pacecar pics I can't zoom in enough to see if the 'Chevrolet' in the bowtie is in italics or not, but the previous post seemed to mention that the '65-'66 versions were with italics, and the later versions were like yours. So my guess is that the '69s were like yours.

Does yours have a cardboard backing, or is it a solid metal plate?

As for my pictures, I'd be happy to email them to someone who could post them for me.
- Wade

[John Brown]

The one I pictured has a cardboard back. You can see a &quot;T&quot; impressed in the cardboard or maybe you would call it some type of fiber backing, with a thin steel plate wrapped around it to make the front side. By the way, that plate wasn't mine, just an appropriate plate I found a picture of.

[68l30]

I recognize those fingers .....and the Kroydon golf balls! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/naughty.gif

BIG

[cudino]

OK, I'm attaching my pictures now (hopefully!). The two black/whites are of a Festival car, and the color is from the #1 Pacecar.
- Wade

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2014/09/full-11520-16124-img_1270.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2014/09/full-11520-16125-img_1271.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2014/09/full-11520-16126-img_1274.jpg

[Mr70]

The &quot;T&quot; on the upper backside is not a makers mark,but rather an alternative place to hang it on a peg board or,once pierced.

[68l30]

I have the steel version on my Camaro, same look as the Aluminum plate with the cardboard backing. I bet this is the plate on the Pacers not the Aluminum plate.


BIG

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2014/09/full-105-16130-see_americas.png

[John Brown]

The early plates with the cardboard backing are made of thin steel, not aluminum.

[Salvatore]

The 69 plates read &quot;Putting You First Keeps Us First&quot; I believe &quot;See America First&quot; is the original 1967 version. Also the post 1969 plates read &quot;Putting You First In A Big Way&quot; if I remember correctly.

[68l30]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: John Brown</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The early plates with the cardboard backing are made of thin steel, not aluminum. </div></div>

Correct! About time I took it out of the display case and hold it...The bright work on the gold was throwing me. Steel for sure. Hasn't moved since that pic was taken.. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/blush.gif




BIG

[cudino]

I think the question is, when did Chevy reissue these plates in solid steel, without the cardboard backing? It has been commented that these steel-only versions were reissued for the 1970 model year, but that would mean the pacers got the 3 year old, cardboard-backed versions. That doesn't seem right. Plus, considering how cautious Chevy was in '69, to go through all the cost and pain in prepping the two actual pacers for safe high-speed usage, but then to put this thin cardboard-backed plate in front? Perhaps the reissue of these plates in steel was actually made for the '69 race (May '69), which by the time these reached dealers it would have been in time for the '70 model year? I'm with BIG on this, I think the steel plate was used on these '69 pacers, unless anyone suggests otherwise.
- Wade

[Charley Lillard]

Calling Mr70...the expert on all this stuff....

[67 Nova Boy]

Some of Chevrolets slogans over the years....don't know if all right but what's on the webbie!
1964
*Count On Chevrolet to Build the one you want
*The Great Highway performers
*more,more,more for 64
*Chevys Lateset,Chevys Greatest!
*Chevy Time
*There's 5 in 64
*Roll Chevy Roll!(NSC)

1965
*Something New For EveryBody!
*The Beautiful Shapes for 65!
*Buy Word For '65..by Chevrolet
*65's Beautiful Breakaway (or Breakthrough) by Chevrolet
*The MAKE that MAKES you want a 65!
*Red Hot and Rolling!(NSC Campaign)
*Here and Wow!
*Steer em right!(NSC)
*New and Great!
*The Super 65's

1966
*A perfectly beautiful year to Go Chevrolet
*Your year to live it up in style
*Thrill of the Year
*Double divendend days!
*The thrilling 66's
*High Style! New Spirit!

1967
*Everything new that could happen...HAPPENED!
*Rumors come true Wonderfully!
*Mean more than ever before
*Exciting Beauty! Power that moves!
*Always out front in safety,(or styling)
*Chevy comes out swinging for 67
*Wonderful One
*America's No.1 Seller

1968
*Look at Chevrolets Latest!
*Decidely 68! Chevrolet!
*Stunningly Beautiful! Superbly Built! The 68 Chevrolet! Dramatically Designed! Distinctively Different! Daringly New!

1969
*Putting You first Keeps Us First!-(USA-1 License plate slogan too)
*The Leader Comes on Strong


1970
*&quot;On The Move&quot; The Chevrolet 70's.
*See America's First-(License Plate Slogan)
*The Chevrolet Movers (Trucks)

1971
*Putting you first in a Big Way-(license Plate slogan)
*Totally Tougher (Trucks)
*The Little Car that Does everything Well (Vega)

1972
*For you in 72!
*We want your Chevrolet to be the best car you've ever owned.
*Totally tougher to last longer (Trucks)
*Building a Better Way to See the USA (Mid year Red-White-Blue Motiff License Plate Slogan)Used in 1974 also

1973-Red-White-Blue motiff takes off.
*Building a Better Way to Serve the USA (Trucks)

1975
*Chevrolet Makes sense For America
*Lasting Chevy Value (Trucks)
*America's favorites,BaseBall,HotDogs,Apple Pie and Chevrolet (used well into the 76- 77 years too)

[Salvatore]

Boy you have a lot of time on your hands NovaBoy! HA!

[67 Nova Boy]

Click and paste my friend...nano seconds!

Dave
67 Nova Boy

[Mr70]

Where on the webbie did you click &amp; paste that from?

[SS427]

http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=229999

http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?action=printpage;topic=10693.0

http://www.trifive.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-78048.html

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=609689

And the winner is...........
http://www.chevelles.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-75287.html

[PeteLeathersac]

Rick's posted it here a few times over the years too, I think Bruce was poking fun at some of the spelling one time?
I think it was a different word but try searching some of the special words like divendend and decidely?
<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif
~ Pete

[67 Nova Boy]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SS427</div><div class="ubbcode-body">http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=229999

http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?action=printpage;topic=10693.0

http://www.trifive.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-78048.html

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=609689

And the winner is...........
http://www.chevelles.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-75287.html </div></div>



Yep! Like I said...no ideal if correct.
Dave
67 Nova Boy

[cudino]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 67 Nova Boy</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Some of Chevrolets slogans over the years....don't know if all right but what's on the webbie!

1969
*Putting You first Keeps Us First!-(USA-1 License plate slogan too)
*The Leader Comes on Strong

1970
*&quot;On The Move&quot; The Chevrolet 70's.
*See America's First-(License Plate Slogan)
*The Chevrolet Movers (Trucks)
</div></div>

So here's the plate I have. I'm not saying I got this off of one of the pacers, but it is vintage. Unlike the previous posted version of this plate with the cardboard backing, mine is solid and the back is blue colored. And even though the websites only reference &quot;See America's First&quot; starting in 1970, this slogan was clearly used on these May-1969 pacers. So my belief still is that the 65-66 years had the first version of this slogan and plate (thin steel over cardboard), and then in early 1969 this slogan was resurrected in the solid steel version I have (possibly for the Indy500 itself?). And these reissues were before May 1969, although may not have hit dealerships until the 1970 model year which matches the websites.
- Wade

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2014/09/full-11520-16239-usa1_license_plate_front.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2014/09/full-11520-16240-usa1_license_plate_rear.jpg

[67 Nova Boy]

Never saw a blue back before. Have to check all my plates for this color back.

Dave
67 Nova Boy

[68l30]

Exactly like the one I posted on my Camaro... Heres the rear shot. My car is a late 68, I've always felt this was the period for this plate. Late 68 and 69 prior to Putting you first....

BIG

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2014/09/full-105-16243-image.jpg

[Capt46]

I just joined because of this research on plate.
Have one from attic was on dads car with the blue back from 45 years ago

[Mr70]

Welcome,here earlier too. https://www.yenko.net/forum/showthread.php?t=82853