The Official 356Talk Forum

Just saw in the Registry magazine the write up on re-pop plates not having a Makers Mark on the back. This is my plate, I assume/hope the markings on the back are from the original manufacturer?? Thoughts welcomed. Thanks All

Yes, that is the original manufacturer of the plate frames "Robert W. Brown & Co".

+1

Mike

Robert,
I have not read the Registry article you are citing re. license plate frames. However, I have several original license plate frames with the Porsche logo that do not have the Robert W. Brown Co. No. 9 stamp on the back:
1. Universal Motor Cars--Los Angeles
2. Thorton--Stockton
3. Aero Volkwagen Inc.--Inglewood
4. JACK McAFFE--Burbank

I also have other original frames with the Robert W. Brown Co. No. 9 stamp on the back.

I also have VASEK POLAK/HERMOSA BEACH license frames with black frame and white letters and chrome frame with white letters that I pick up from the parts dept. at the dealer, in the late-90s and early 2000s, that do not have any markings on the back.
The earlier/original VASEK POLAK frames from the '50s & '60s, either with MANHATTAN BEACH or HERMOSA BEACH on the front, that I've seen, have the Brown stamping on the back.

Regards,
Jesse Rodriguez

Thanks Jesse,

Interesting write up in the "Net Worth Column" in the Registry. Original plates are really bringing in the money. Someone bought a repro at authentic plate pricing. I just wanted to make sure mine was not a repro.

Jesse Rodriguez wrote:Robert,
I have not read the Registry article you are citing re. license plate frames. However, I have several original license plate frames with the Porsche logo that do not have the Robert W. Brown Co. No. 9 stamp on the back:
1. Universal Motor Cars--Los Angeles
2. Thorton--Stockton
3. Aero Volkwagen Inc.--Inglewood
4. JACK McAFFE--Burbank

I also have other original frames with the Robert W. Brown Co. No. 9 stamp on the back.

I also have VASEK POLAK/HERMOSA BEACH license frames with black frame and white letters and chrome frame with white letters that I pick up from the parts dept. at the dealer, in the late-90s and early 2000s, that do not have any markings on the back.
The earlier/original VASEK POLAK frames from the '50s & '60s, either with MANHATTAN BEACH or HERMOSA BEACH on the front, that I've seen, have the Brown stamping on the back.

Regards,
Jesse Rodriguez

x2 not all original plates frames were made by Robert W. Brown. I also have or have had several original Porsche frames with no stamping at all.

You should have seen all the 1970's Vasek Polak frames at Pick a Part junkyards in the 80's, 90's
mostly on 914's and BMWs. The problem was when they removed the license plates with a pry bar
they broke them every time.

Martin Bruechle wrote:You should have seen all the 1970's Vasek Polak frames at Pick a Part junkyards in the 80's, 90's
mostly on 914's and BMWs. The problem was when they removed the license plates with a pry bar
they broke them every time.

Exactly, and people still get snookered on eBay when they find a perfect "50 year old" VP plate frame and pay $500 for it when in fact it's a recent reproduction. It happens that often that I could include an example in every Net Worth, but that would get a little boring I suppose, so I only show an example every year and a half or so....