foil tag

[Chris S.]

can anyone comment on this foil tag. Fake , repo, appears real. Also was wondering why some tags are gold and some are aluiminum color?

Thanks

[John D.]

Re: foil tag

Chris, I can see why you asked as there are a few thing on that tag that are not what you would typically like to see. But on the other hand it may very well be the real deal.
Confusing for me: The distinct heavy horizonal emprossed line going atop the 4 boxes. All the original tags I have do not have that line. Just have the vertical slashes.
But the tag still appears to be real in a sense that the characters RP used are quite distinct. Typical repros are not correct.
The "O" in 4960 is the real deal. In fact the entire 7014960 contains the real characters.
Now the bottom 4 boxes. The first box usually contains an A, B, or C. But not always. Sometimes the first box is blank. A few tags I have seen do have an 04, etc in them.
Now the last two boxes are quite unique. Notice the flattened out "O". Looking at my private collection (not for sale) of original tags I cannot find an "O" like that at all. Never saw such a creature which doesn't mean anything.
The number 1 after the O is correct .
As far as aluminum and gold I honestly don't know. I remember about 30 years ago or so Brian Futo mentioned that in one of his articles that John Amgwert put in "The Restorer". Might be 25 years ago.
Meanwhile don't attempt to paint the tag. It's not real deal paint anyhow but translucent spray. Painting the tag will make it look like a repro.
You don't see many 4960 inspection tags. Yours is only the 2nd one I have ever seen!!! Nice pic also.
I am looking at a real 7014800 inspection tag right now.
Does not have the horizontal top above the boxes. The letter "O" is much fatter than your O's. The first box contains the letter A.
Here's another thought. I have seen a lot of 02, 02, a lot of 04, 04's. a couple of 03, 03's. But yours is the first 01 that I have ever seen. Once again that means nothing.

Some of the RP carb tags do have the horizontal line above the boxes. Nice photo. JD

[Chris S.]

Re: foil tag

wow lots of info, like i said i went back into previous threads and you stated in a few that the 4960 tag was hard to find. i had this one and thought i would throw it out there. the fuel unit is the one with the "X" mark on the RPD tag (i sent you a few weeks back). is the F7 designate the assembly date possibly? the block date on the car is also F7?
still wondering why the colors would be different, although most carbs tags where that gold right?

Chris

[John D.]

Re: foil tag

Chris, The gold was not anodized on the tags. It was sprayed with a translucent spray.
Meanwhile the gold washed off over the years.
My 63 FI car has an original triangle inspection tag and it is just plain aluminum. But around a few of the numbers you can just make out a tad of gold left.


Just learned something today. 7017200 inspection tags. Should read 7017202. Take care as JD has to get back to work. JD

[Chris S.]

Re: foil tag

thanks for sharing as usual! maybe someone else out there might have seen this before?