How lord mayor got his ABC 1
Posted on October 15, 2008 by Number Plates
There has been much speculation regarding the licence numberplate of the lord mayor’s car ABC 1.
Despite the myths which have been circulated, the facts are that it was not purchased for any exorbitant fee, it was issued authority in about 1937 or 1938.
From the time that motor vehicles were first licensed those registered in the city of Leicester bore the prefix letters of BC, JF and RY, followed by up to four figure number. The county was allotted AY, JU, NR and UT. By the late 1930′s the number of 9999 was being reached and so for the next issues the first letter of the alphabet was added to the initial letters and the numbers reduced to three digits.
It was at this time that was a new lord mayor’s car was ordered.
My father had a new cat on order at that time and was told that he might be the one to receive the number plate ABC 1. Disappointed at receiving ABC 22, he asked who had received the ABC 1 plate and was told that the local licensing authority have thought it appropriate for it to be issued for the lord mayor’s new car.
Consequently, the ABC 1 plate has been transferred to any replacement Lord Mayor’s limousine in the same way that many other owners have retained their special registration number plate. Therefore, no substantial amount of ratepayer’s money has been wasted to the detriment of local facilities.
I am surprised that letters from the former lord mayor and mayoress omitted to clarify this matter K West
