Nice Pic of a Swallow

[Chris KC]

There are people here who know far more about it than I, but in the UK I believe all this transferring of plates is a phenomenon of the 1980's and 90's, which came about through changes in DVLA rules, and a contemporary thirst for profit.

That isn't to say number plates were never swapped back in the day; but it was relatively unusual and tended to operate on a less official footing...

Hi Chris

I think this is generally true but Austin seemed to be able to move registrations around the works cars with impunity. 

Cheers

Howard

I don't know if "trade plates" were a thing back then? Or perhaps he simply knew that he could get away with it!

I did know at least one owner in the past who drove two different A7's with remarkably similar registration numbers. 

For the most part though I'd assert that reg numbers in contemporary pics are on balance of probability original.