Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi, My husband and I are new to the club and have recently purchased a 1966 Morris Traveller. She needs a little TLC, but we are up for the challenge! My question is: The car license plate number is etched (I think) into the corner of all the windows. Was this usual practise when the cars were manufactured? I’ve never seen this before….or maybe just have not looked! Any insight or info would be most helpful.

Welcome to the messageboard

The registration number wasn't etched into the windows when the cars were built. It is a more modern security measure which some Minor owners have had done - one of my previous cars had this. If the car is stolen and it's identity / registration number changed a different registration number etched on every window might alert a prospective purchaser that there may be a problem. Much more difficult for a car thief to change all of the windows then change a number or chassis plate!

Hi Louise, thank you so much for your quick reply. I’m still not 100% clear about this, and the previous owner who owned the car for the last 20 years did not mention this, and there is no reference to when this was done in any of the accompanying paperwork.

nothing to worry about, unless you change the Reg!

I wouldn't get unduly worried about it. It may have been done prior to the last owner getting the car. I remember seeing poeple offering to etch windows in my local supermarket car park years ago and I doubt that they issued receipts so a lack of documentation isn't surprising. You could get it done very cheaply.

It was a fad, don't rely on it to stop the car getting nicked.
You need to do something more effective to stop it being stolen like keep it in a thief proof garage,
There are other measures that can be taken which someone will PM you I hope.

Chris, Marky and Louise…..no, no worries (LOL)….. Just very curious.

the idea was that if I stole your car, then it would be more dificult to "ring" the car as I would have to change all the windows as well as the reg. plates.

Yes it was a bit of a "fad". You used to be able to buy DIY kits in all the auto accessory shops, but that was most popular about twenty years ago, so the previous owner might not have done it. You can still get kits:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VEHICLE-WINDOW-SE ... 371wt_1139

all the windows in my minor have that etching too. when the sun is in the right (or wrong...) place, the one on the quarterlight glass always leaves a shadow of the reg on the back of my hand. i fear that prolonged exposure could leave me branded with the reg just like the car is!

chrisryder wrote:all the windows in my minor have that etching too. when the sun is in the right (or wrong...) place, the one on the quarterlight glass always leaves a shadow of the reg on the back of my hand. i fear that prolonged exposure could leave me branded with the reg just like the car is!