Question on vintage USA-1 Chevrolet license plate

[Dennis H.]

In preparation for putting a rear tag on my 73 I was able to snag a correct vintage 1973 tag for my Alabama county off eBay. Now I'm on the hunt for a vintage USA-1 Chevrolet front license plate. What would be the correct plate (if there is such a thing) for 1973?


I see several iterations out on the net and not a lot of information on the history of this iconic plate. I'm sure each plate design has a year that can be tied to it but I'm not having much luck finding that information.

Dennis

[Mark E.]

Re: Question on vintage USA-1 Chevrolet license plate

Several years ago, Google found a website that showed the chronology of Chevrolet dealer installed front plates. So the information is out there.

[Dennis H.]

Re: Question on vintage USA-1 Chevrolet license plate

From Sal Carbone

This information was gathered years ago. It should be considered as a guide and probably not cast in stone.

"See Americas' First!" USA-1 plates were first released during 1965-66.Most of them had USA-1 & their border embossed & gold anodized and were made out of a very thin tin w/a cardboard backing crimped on and had the word CHEVROLET italicized in the top Bowtie insignia. The bolt holes were somewhat irregular/oblong.

Sometime in 1967,the CHEVROLET lettering became straight in the bowtie on this same license plate, with a cardboard backing glued on now.

I don't believe 1968 saw a newly released USA-1 license plate, so the argument could stand that the NON-italicized 67 Chevrolet lettering plate was the plate that was available during 1968,and thus period correct. Some argue that the later 1970 heavier plate that I refer to later on, was issued as early as 1968..I don't know for certain.
1969 saw the release of the heavier steel plate now with the "Putting You First, Keeps Us First" slogan with the USA-1 lettering & border embossed but now painted over in flat gold. The word, CHEVROLET across the top w/o a Bowtie, and no cardboard reinforcement needed on the backside. Some had a bluish backing on the backside, others greenish/grey. The bolt holes were irregular/oblong .
1970 used that same 1969 slogan plate as above too, but also brought back one from the past. The 1965-6-7,"See Americas' First!" slogan was recycled, but this time w/straight CHEVROLET lettering inside the bowtie insignia on the heavier 69 steel plate and w/USA-1 embossed lettering & border painted over in flat gold paint. This plate I believe was reissued during mid 1970 production. Many 1970 vehicles have been photographed with this plate.
1971 saw the release of "Putting You First In A Big Way" and lost the Bowtie insignia on top. Instead it just had the word CHEVROLET boldly on top w/USA-1 embossed in the center.
1972 used the slogan, "Building A Better Way To See The USA".

Also from Sal

The one you need for your '71 would be the gold and white version that says "Putting you 1st in a big way!".
The red white and blue version was used in 1972 to 1974, the gold and white with "See America 1st"-1969, and gold and white "Putting you 1st keeps us 1st"-1970.


So I'm looking for a

red white and blue version of USA-1

Putting You First In A Big Way! not seeing a picture of that plate anywhere.

[Tom E.]

Re: Question on vintage USA-1 Chevrolet license plate

Perhaps this is the link.

https://ncplates.weebly.com/chevrolet-plates.html

Tom

[Jimmy P.]

Re: Question on vintage USA-1 Chevrolet license plate

Dennis,
You'll need the Red, White & Blue "Chevrolet Building a Better Way To See the USA " plate. It's shown in Tom's link. I've included it, as well as a photo from the back cover of the Corvette News featuring the new 1973 Corvette. You can find the repros ( white back) cheap on eBay at times. Original plates ( from back in the day) have a gray or greenish back IIRC, much more expensive.

[Daniel S.]

Re: Question on vintage USA-1 Chevrolet license plate

There is a great thread on Chevrolet advertising slogans on Yenko.net. I'll try to find it and cross post here.

Building A Better Way to See The USA is 1973...

Dan

[Dave S.]

Re: Question on vintage USA-1 Chevrolet license plate

Here is the front and back of an NOS example. They are steel......

[Edward B.]

Re: Question on vintage USA-1 Chevrolet license plate

You might inquire on this site to see if they have made what you want: https://www.licenseplates.tv/usa-state-plates.html

[Jeff P.]

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[Dennis H.]

Re: Question on vintage USA-1 Chevrolet license plate

Great info and links, thanks everyone. I know what I'm looking for know just need to find one. I think the 1976

bicentennial place is the coolest but maybe that's because I was a Class of 76 guy.

[Mark E.]

Re: Question on vintage USA-1 Chevrolet license plate

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I never understood this slogan. It doesn't make sense, grammatically or otherwise.

[Tom E.]

Re: Question on vintage USA-1 Chevrolet license plate

Mark
GLAD IM NOT THE ONLY ONE THINKING THAT! Lol
Tom