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Vehicle registration plates of the Canal Zone

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Zcarstvnz (talk | contribs) at 14:25, 6 January 2019 (→1910 to 1955: Added photo for 1940.). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

The former U.S. territory of the Canal Zone first issued license plates in 1910, and this continued until the Canal Zone was returned to Panama in 1979.[1] A single plate was issued for all years. The country of Panama also issued Canal Zone license plates for United States citizens that lived in Panama but worked in the Canal Zone, but these plates have the country name "Panama" clearly showing on them.[2] Since reciprocity for license plates between the Canal Zone and Panama did not exist until 1950, old photos often show local vehicles with two different license plates mounted on the vehicle.[3]

Passenger baseplates

1910 to 1955

Image Date Design Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes
1910 White on dark blue None 123
1911 Dark blue on white None 123
1912 White on dark blue None 123
1913 Dark blue on white None 123
1914 White on dark blue None 123
1915 Dark blue on white None 123
1916 White on dark blue None 123
and
1234 		Some four digit plates are known, but the numbers are too high to fit into the sequence of plates issued.
1917 Black on yellow None 1234 All previous plates were cancelled and renumbering started at number one.
1918 Black on white None 1234
1919 White on dark blue None 1234
1920 Black on dark yellow None 1234
1921 Black on gray-green None 1234
1922 White on black None 1234
1923 Black on yellow None 1234
1924 Yellow on dark blue None 1234
1925 White on dark blue None 1234
1926 Black on yellow None 1234
1927 Red on white None 1234 First year that "Canal Zone" is spelled out
1928 Black on light orange None 1234
1929 Red on white None 1234
1930 Black on yellow None 1234
1931 Red on white None 1234
1932 Black on yellow None 1234
1933 Red on white None 1234
1934 White on medium blue None 1234
1935 Medium blue on yellow None 1234
1936 Red on white None 1234
1937 White on dark green None 12345
1938 White on red None 12345
1939 Black on yellow None 12345
1940 Yellow on dark green None 12345
1941 Black on yellow None 12345
1942-44 White on dark blue None 12345 1942: Base plate only
1943: Round black on yellow validation tab with "43" at top and serial number below
1944: Rectangular black on red validation tab with serial number followed by "44"
1945 Black on orange None 12345
1946 Yellow on black None 12345
1947 White on black None 12345
1948 Dark blue on white None 12345
1949 Off white on blue None 12345
1950 White on maroon None 12345
1951 White on dark green None 12345
1952 Dark green on yellow None 12345
1953 Maroon on white None 12345
1954 White on orange None 12345
1955 Yellow on black None 12345

1956 to 1979

In 1956, the United States, Canada and Mexico came to an agreement with the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, the Automobile Manufacturers Association and the National Safety Council that standardized the size for license plates for vehicles (except those for motorcycles) at 6 inches (15 cm) in height by 12 inches (30 cm) in width, with standardized mounting holes.[4]

Image Date Design Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes
1956 Black on yellow None 12345
1957 Yellow on black None 12345
1958 Black on yellow None 12345
1959 Yellow on black None 12345
1960 Black on yellow None 12345
1961 Yellow on black Funnel For World Commerce[5] 12345
1962 Black on yellow Funnel For World Commerce 12345
1963 Yellow on black Funnel For World Commerce 12345
1964 Black on yellow Funnel For World Commerce 12345
1965 Yellow on black Funnel For World Commerce 12345
1966 Black on yellow Funnel For World Commerce 12345
1967 Yellow on black Funnel For World Commerce 12345
1968 Black on yellow Funnel For World Commerce 12345
1969 Yellow on black Funnel For World Commerce 12345
1970 Black on yellow Funnel For World Commerce 12345
1971 Yellow on black Funnel For World Commerce 12345
1972 Green on white Funnel For World Commerce 12345 First year for reflective background.
1973 Blue on white Funnel For World Commerce 12345
1974 Green on white Funnel For World Commerce 12345
1975 Blue on white Funnel For World Commerce 12345
1976 Green on white Funnel For World Commerce 12345
1977 Blue on white Funnel For World Commerce 12345
1978-79 Green on white Funnel For World Commerce 12345 1978: Base plate only
1979: Rectangular black on red validation sticker with small "Canal Zone" at top, "79" in center, and small "No" and serial number at bottom

References

  1. ^ Fox, James K. (April 1984). "License Plates of the Canal Zone and Panama". ALPCA Newsletter. Vol. 30, no. 2. Automobile License Plate Collectors Association. pp. 81–88.
  2. ^ Sentiford, Tim (April 2002). "A Graphic History of Panama". The ALPCA Register. Vol. 48, no. 2. Automobile License Plate Collectors Association. p. 40-41.
  3. ^ Sentiford, Tim (June 2005). "Puente del Mundo". Plates. Vol. 51, no. 3. Automobile License Plate Collectors Association. pp. 37–43.
  4. ^ Garrish, Christopher (October 2016). "Reconsidering the Standard Plate Size". Plates. Vol. 62, no. 5. Automobile License Plate Collectors Association.
  5. ^ Sentiford, Time (June 1997). "World View". ALPCA Newsletter. Vol. 43, no. 3. Automobile License Plate Collectors Association. p. 131.
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