ID an Odd USA-1 Plate - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**Ironhorse** · 01-23-2022, 12:35 PM

Went to an auction yesterday and walked away with this heavy steel license plate with the lettering of USA-1 reversed to '' 1-USA '' and " CHEVROLET " stamped below that. Never seen one like this before, I have the normally found USA-1 red, white and blue aluminum plate on the front of my 4x4. Thought this would look good hanging on the garage/shop wall. Any one seen one like this before?

yuccales · 01-23-2022, 12:37 PM

Never seen one like that. Very cool!

bluek5 · 01-23-2022, 12:44 PM

I have seen black a white plates like yours. There is one on eBay right now.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/29454380287...yABEgIiQvD_BwE

**GOPAPA** · 01-23-2022, 12:46 PM

In my notes I keep about collector license plates , ,this is what I have about this plate I think you have shown .. there were other colors too.

" Somebody on e-bay was reproducing these things in a very good reproduction but they had a black background with white lettering. .. I think the seller had a buy it now of ten bucks on the plate..."

**FleetsidePaul** · 01-23-2022, 01:36 PM

Holy guacamole that one on Ebay is $599. It's a cool plate but that's a lot of dough.

**too much stuff** · 01-23-2022, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FleetsidePaul

Holy guacamole that one on Ebay is $599. It's a cool plate but that's a lot of dough.

But he said its a good investment... just doesn't say for who.

Ironhorse, cool plate but i can't tell you anything about it. Trevor may know.

**Ironhorse** · 01-23-2022, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FleetsidePaul

Holy guacamole that one on Ebay is $599. It's a cool plate but that's a lot of dough.

Yup, have to agree with you on that for sure Paul! I posted that same pic on a Tri-five board I am on for my '57 2x4s sedan and am hoping for some response there.

**DeadheadNM** · 01-23-2022, 02:12 PM

Here’s some related info: https://ncplates.weebly.com/chevrolet-plates.html

CG · 01-23-2022, 02:27 PM

Id like to have one of the 71 issued Putting You First In a Big Way!

RustyPile · 01-23-2022, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FleetsidePaul

Holy guacamole that one on Ebay is $599. It's a cool plate but that's a lot of dough.

Yeah, but it would look soooooo good on one of your Porsches..

**FleetsidePaul** · 01-23-2022, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RustyPile

Yeah, but it would look soooooo good on one of your Porsches..

That's a negative son.

But it sure would look good in the garage. I would have snagged it up in a minute for sure. Just not for 6 bills. That's a little too rich for my blood. I would love to find one. I've never seen one like that before and I REALLY like it.

The most I ever paid for a plate was $100 and I thought that was high. Still do. But it wasn't a repop. I've had it on the wall for 10 years or so now.

**Ironhorse** · 01-23-2022, 05:33 PM

Bought several odd boxes of small tools and guy stuff at the auction also. Was digging thru them a bit ago and looks like made a nice find. I found several more plates in the bottom of one box just alike except for the colors. Have two black background and one blue background. All need some attention to really show well but am thinking I will only keep one. Will most likely offer them in the Misc. For Sale forum. From what I read from the link DeadheadNM - Pete posted, the first year they were offered from Chevrolet was in 1957. Will for sure have to keep on for my 57 2 dr. now. Just have to decide which one. Decisions, decisions.

CG · 01-23-2022, 06:03 PM

Hey good on you! Very cool find. Its nice when we get a little extra now and again.

**LockDoc** · 01-23-2022, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RustyPile

Yeah, but it would look soooooo good on one of your Porsches..

Front Porch or back Porch?

LockDoc

LT7A · 01-23-2022, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LockDoc

Front Porch or back Porch?

LockDoc

Hahaha, I liked this.

LT7A · 01-23-2022, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ironhorse

Bought several odd boxes of small tools and guy stuff at the auction also. Was digging thru them a bit ago and looks like made a nice find. I found several more plates in the bottom of one box just alike except for the colors. Have two black background and one blue background. All need some attention to really show well but am thinking I will only keep one. Will most likely offer them in the Misc. For Sale forum. From what I read from the link DeadheadNM - Pete posted, the first year they were offered from Chevrolet was in 1957. Will for sure have to keep on for my 57 2 dr. now. Just have to decide which one. Decisions, decisions.

Oh man, unless you need, or really want the funds from them to offset your purchases. Those would be cool to hang on to. They're not going to get less valuable. And I wouldn't worry at all about the wear and tear on them. Much more convincing than that perfect one on ebay. I'd clean them and put them on the wall. That's just me though.

**Ironhorse** · 01-24-2022, 06:05 PM

After I posted those auction plates on a tri-five Chevy board I got several responses and a bit more info. Known as "booster plates" Chevrolet first offered them in 1957 at the dealerships. Came in different colors as mentioned, also in an off green but didn't see one of those at the auction. About mid 1960s the plates lettering was changed to the USA-1 as we know so well of today. I remember watching Dinah Shore TV show (had to as folks were big fans of hers, LOL) with her singing "See the USA in your Chevrolet......" Each year of release GM used a different slogan. Early ones were also steel then changed later to aluminum believe in the early 70s maybe?

Decided I am keeping the black with white lettering for my '57 2 door sedan, have SOLD the red one and the other black with yellow lettering on that tri-five board. Got quite a bit of interest by tri-fivers and actually am waiting to hear yes or no on the last plate with blue with white lettering.

I've been playing with cars and trucks since the mid 60s and never have I ever seen or heard tell of this type of 1-USA plate. Thought they were pretty cool at the auction and apparently not alone in that thinking. Glad I went to that auction.

**mongocanfly** · 01-24-2022, 09:25 PM

What a cool find..!!!

RustyPile · 01-25-2022, 01:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LockDoc

Front Porch or back Porch?

LockDoc

You laugh

I started to misspell it intentionally.. Something like "You should put it on the front Porcha while and then the back Porcha while."

**dave6672** · 01-25-2022, 12:21 PM

Neat plates, thanks for the information on them.

**LockDoc** · 01-25-2022, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RustyPile

You laugh

I started to misspell it intentionally.. Something like "You should put it on the front Porcha while and then the back Porcha while."

There is a joke about that. I heard it a long time ago. It was about painting a porch (Porsche)

LockDoc

**Ironhorse** · 01-25-2022, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave6672

Neat plates, thanks for the information on them.

Heard last night via a PM on the last plate and it is sold also. All three plates are sold and keeping the one for myself. Never had seen or heard of these plates until this past Saturday. After the auction I did some Google research and posted on couple tri-five boards and learned about them. Pretty cool plates from back in the day. Now have three tri-fivers happy and I'm happy, win-win all the way around.

RustyPile · 01-25-2022, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LockDoc

There is a joke about that. I heard it a long time ago. It was about painting a porch (Porsche)

LockDoc

I heard it too.. Wish I could remember how it goes..

**Sheepdip** · 01-25-2022, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RustyPile

I heard it too.. Wish I could remember how it goes..

Be wary of the chore of painting . . .
A man was looking for a person to paint her porch, so he hired a young lady and told her what to do.

After about 30 minutes, the lady came to the door and said, I'm done.

The man asked, How did you get done so fast?

The lady said, It was hard at first, but it got easier towards the end. And by the way, it's a Ferrarri not a Porsche.

01-23-2022, 12:35 PM	#1
Ironhorse Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Wellington, Ks Posts: 10,027	ID an Odd USA-1 Plate Went to an auction yesterday and walked away with this heavy steel license plate with the lettering of USA-1 reversed to '' 1-USA '' and " CHEVROLET " stamped below that. Never seen one like this before, I have the normally found USA-1 red, white and blue aluminum plate on the front of my 4x4. Thought this would look good hanging on the garage/shop wall. Any one seen one like this before? Attached Images __________________ 1971 Chevy 1/2T 4x4 LWB 350 V-8 Was sm465-now 350TH/np205 Tilt, Tach, Towhooks Original Truck AM/FM Wellington, Ks

01-23-2022, 12:37 PM	#2
yuccales Registered User Join Date: May 2011 Location: Northern Calif. Posts: 3,588	Re: ID an Odd USA-1 Plate Never seen one like that. Very cool!

01-23-2022, 12:44 PM	#3
bluek5 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Lehi,Utah Posts: 1,330	Re: ID an Odd USA-1 Plate I have seen black a white plates like yours. There is one on eBay right now. https://www.ebay.com/itm/29454380287...yABEgIiQvD_BwE Attached Images

01-23-2022, 12:46 PM	#4
GOPAPA "Tail Gate Best Seat In House" Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Nampa Idaho Posts: 7,349	Re: ID an Odd USA-1 Plate In my notes I keep about collector license plates , ,this is what I have about this plate I think you have shown .. there were other colors too. " Somebody on e-bay was reproducing these things in a very good reproduction but they had a black background with white lettering. .. I think the seller had a buy it now of ten bucks on the plate..." __________________ When you learn a thing a day you store up smart.

01-23-2022, 01:36 PM	#5
FleetsidePaul R.I.P. E.S.L.L. Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Kernville CA./ Lake Isabella CA. Posts: 11,411	Re: ID an Odd USA-1 Plate Holy guacamole that one on Ebay is $599. It's a cool plate but that's a lot of dough. __________________ 1971 Custom C/20 1970 CST 20 1970 C/30 Flatbed 1983 C/30 Dually 2015 Corvette Z51 2021 Corvette Z51 1991 Cadillac Hearse 1982 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz 2000 Porsche Boxster S 2020 Jeep Gladiator 1973 VW Thing 1973 Plymouth Satellite wagon 1963 Baja Bug 1959 Bug Dune Buggy 1970 Baja Bug 1987 Jaguar XJ 350. R.I.P. El Jay R.I.P Jessie. R.I.P Grumpy. Every day is a gift from God.

01-23-2022, 02:12 PM	#8
DeadheadNM Carpe manana Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Eau Claire, WI Posts: 12,285	Re: ID an Odd USA-1 Plate Here’s some related info: https://ncplates.weebly.com/chevrolet-plates.html __________________ 1972 K5 CST Highlander Blazer: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=708547 1972 K20 Cheyenne Super: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=528308 Members met: ORANGBLAZ, 2003 silverado, MikeCofield, BB72CHEVKT, Duncan&Son, Sameyrasmea72, THENEWMEXICAN, HotRod C/10, brianthelion02, Sport/Truck, ryanroo, michael bustamante, Dirt's72, Already Gone, WestButteTruck, 57taskforce, Moreyel, painterljp, AASmedic, SoCoC10, Lumaestas, carbuff382, Chevyland

01-23-2022, 02:27 PM	#9
CG BlahBlahBlah Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Monroe, Wa. Posts: 19,778	Re: ID an Odd USA-1 Plate Id like to have one of the 71 issued Putting You First In a Big Way! __________________ … … … … … … … … ... … … … … … … … … … … … Monroe Swap meet May 18-19. Mike has the same spots for the NW guys he's had forever. Lunch time BBQ at the spaces. If you have stuff to sell bring it along. If you have a question PM stllookn (Mike) here via the board. https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=851291

01-23-2022, 05:33 PM	#12
Ironhorse Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Wellington, Ks Posts: 10,027	Re: ID an Odd USA-1 Plate Bought several odd boxes of small tools and guy stuff at the auction also. Was digging thru them a bit ago and looks like made a nice find. I found several more plates in the bottom of one box just alike except for the colors. Have two black background and one blue background. All need some attention to really show well but am thinking I will only keep one. Will most likely offer them in the Misc. For Sale forum. From what I read from the link DeadheadNM - Pete posted, the first year they were offered from Chevrolet was in 1957. Will for sure have to keep on for my 57 2 dr. now. Just have to decide which one. Decisions, decisions. Attached Images __________________ 1971 Chevy 1/2T 4x4 LWB 350 V-8 Was sm465-now 350TH/np205 Tilt, Tach, Towhooks Original Truck AM/FM Wellington, Ks

01-23-2022, 06:03 PM	#13
CG BlahBlahBlah Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Monroe, Wa. Posts: 19,778	Re: ID an Odd USA-1 Plate Hey good on you! Very cool find. Its nice when we get a little extra now and again. __________________ … … … … … … … … ... … … … … … … … … … … … Monroe Swap meet May 18-19. Mike has the same spots for the NW guys he's had forever. Lunch time BBQ at the spaces. If you have stuff to sell bring it along. If you have a question PM stllookn (Mike) here via the board. https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=851291

01-24-2022, 06:05 PM	#17
Ironhorse Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Wellington, Ks Posts: 10,027	Re: ID an Odd USA-1 Plate After I posted those auction plates on a tri-five Chevy board I got several responses and a bit more info. Known as "booster plates" Chevrolet first offered them in 1957 at the dealerships. Came in different colors as mentioned, also in an off green but didn't see one of those at the auction. About mid 1960s the plates lettering was changed to the USA-1 as we know so well of today. I remember watching Dinah Shore TV show (had to as folks were big fans of hers, LOL) with her singing "See the USA in your Chevrolet......" Each year of release GM used a different slogan. Early ones were also steel then changed later to aluminum believe in the early 70s maybe? Decided I am keeping the black with white lettering for my '57 2 door sedan, have SOLD the red one and the other black with yellow lettering on that tri-five board. Got quite a bit of interest by tri-fivers and actually am waiting to hear yes or no on the last plate with blue with white lettering. I've been playing with cars and trucks since the mid 60s and never have I ever seen or heard tell of this type of 1-USA plate. Thought they were pretty cool at the auction and apparently not alone in that thinking. Glad I went to that auction. __________________ 1971 Chevy 1/2T 4x4 LWB 350 V-8 Was sm465-now 350TH/np205 Tilt, Tach, Towhooks Original Truck AM/FM Wellington, Ks

01-24-2022, 09:25 PM	#18
mongocanfly Post Whore Join Date: May 2015 Location: Alabama Posts: 14,585	Re: ID an Odd USA-1 Plate What a cool find..!!! __________________ Mongo...aka Greg RIP Dad RIP Jesse 1981 C30 LQ9 NV4500..http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=753598 Mongos AD- LS3 TR6060...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...34#post8522334 Columbus..the 1957 IH 4x4...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...63#post8082563 2023 Chevy Z71..daily driver

01-25-2022, 12:21 PM	#20
dave6672 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Carrollton, KY Posts: 1,170	Re: ID an Odd USA-1 Plate Neat plates, thanks for the information on them. __________________ Dave R. 1972 K20 1972 C20 Highlander 1957 Chevy 210 Delray 1967 C10



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