RE: Uk Audi reg letter changes

["Ian J Haseltine" <Jim_Haseltine@classic.msn.com>]

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From: 	owner-quattro@coimbra.ans.net on behalf of Pat James
>   Could you explain this British cultural quirk of wanting the newest
>registration plates ? I was born and raised in Britain but left before
>my interest or age got to motors. Sitting from this chair in Canada
>it looks like strictly a bragging right or oneupmanship. 
>To quote my brother "Not very British, I'd say ..."  ;)

Thats basically what it is. It never ceases to amaze me how many people will 
collect a new car from the dealer at midnight July 31 so that they can be the 
first person in their street with the latest plate. Also, if they waited a 
month they could buy the same car at a discount. My father replaces his ovloV 
every 3 years in November 'cos thats when the dealer offers the biggest 
discount.
A bit of history here :-
Registration suffix letters were introduced in February 1963, 'A' running 
until the end of the year, after which the new letters were applicable on 
January 1. The 'new letter' rush started almost straight away, causing the 
motor trade some headaches because the national motor show that launched the 
new models was in the summer and they realized that few people would like to 
buy a new car on a registration suffix that would be out of date within a few 
months. The trade lobbied the Department of Transport who rolled over and 
changed the system in 1967 to run from August 1. 
Now the trade has been complaining for a few years that they cannot cope with 
most of their sales being in August and would like a different system. It is 
romoured that the 'R' prefix that started this August will be the last of the 
yearly changes, but there has been no official statement yet.
They will have to come up with an answer soon as there are only 6 letters 
left, we dont use I, O, and Z, while Q is used for special cases - kit cars, 
personal imports and relicenced vehicles. 

Jim Haseltine
88 Ur quattro (on a 'F' plate)