Chevrolet U-S-A-1 License Plate Question???

[Robert W.]

What is the correct slogan at the bottom of a 1966 "U-S-A-1" Chevrolet license plate?
"See The USA" - "All The Way"??
I would like to locate an original U-S-A-1 plate for my 66.
All the best!
Bob Wingate

[Mark E.]

Re: Chevrolet U-S-A-1 License Plate Question???

Dr. Google finds a lot of information. One site lists Chevy slogans used in the 60s and 70s; apparently several were used at any one time. But from my quick search, it wasn't clear which of these were put on USA1 plates.

Is there a specific set of plates which are "correct"? I heard dealers had plates made for their own use, so there may be a variety of designs.

Does someone know if Chevrolet supplied plates to well? If so, were they provided to dealers only as a promotion? Or also sold to customers? Would they have a part number?

[Mark D.]

Re: Chevrolet U-S-A-1 License Plate Question???

Sal Carbone knows all that. Hopefully, he chime in.

[Robert W.]

Re: Chevrolet U-S-A-1 License Plate Question???

Some of simplest stuff sometimes stump us like when and which Chevy slogans appeared on a USA-1 license plate. I have seen some of the vintage Chevy Dealers versions of the USA-1 license plates which are very cool; especially if your car was delivered to that dealership. Thanks Bob

[Sal C.]

Re: Chevrolet U-S-A-1 License Plate Question???

1965-66 USA1 plates should say "See Americas' First!" and had the word CHEVROLET italicized in the top Bowtie insignia.

[Robert W.]

Re: Chevrolet U-S-A-1 License Plate Question???

Sal, thanks for your info. Now I know which plate would go properly with my car. Mark mentioned you would probably know the answer. I think Mark is here in Dallas too. I recently joined the NCRS last September and went to the North Texas Regional in Frisco in October. In late November I purchased my first Corvette. I've always enjoyed history and restoring mechanical items. Here we go! All the best! Bob

[Brian K.]

Re: Chevrolet U-S-A-1 License Plate Question???

How is a 1967 USA-1 plate different than the 65-66 plate?

[Mark E.]

Re: Chevrolet U-S-A-1 License Plate Question???

I'd like to know the chronology of USA-1 plate designs by year, who designed them (Chevy and/or individual dealers), and how they were sourced/distributed (From Chevy to end customer? From the dealer with new car delivery? Over the parts counter? Did they have a PN?).

I'm embarrassed to say I just spent 45 minutes with Google on this. There's a couple threads on this forum that discuss specific years. This is one of the best:

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthread.php?68989-C3-Front-License-Plate

I also found threads on other Chevy related forums asking these questions, but the replies all devolved to photos of specific plates, or a comment about a specific year.

The definitive answers may be lost in history.

[Joe L.]

Re: Chevrolet U-S-A-1 License Plate Question???

What is the correct slogan at the bottom of a 1966 "U-S-A-1" Chevrolet license plate?
"See The USA" - "All The Way"??
I would like to locate an original U-S-A-1 plate for my 66.
All the best!
Bob Wingate

Bob------

I can't help with the USA plate. However, I can say it's great to see you as part of the NCRS and on this discussion board. You're one of the icons of the world of Corvette sales during the "Golden Era" of Corvette history.

Did you ever have any association with Frank Camilleri of Central Chevrolet in Fremont, CA? Frank was the Corvette and Z/28 specialist for Central Chevrolet as you were to Clippinger Chevrolet.

[Robert W.]

Re: Chevrolet U-S-A-1 License Plate Question???

Joe it's nice to meet you. I'm sorry to disappoint you but I'm not the Bob Wingate that worked for Clippinger in the 1960's. However, I do take it as a compliment. We just share the same name. He was truly an American salesman icon of his time and known as "Mr. Corvette" in the 1960's. I've been in different type of sales all of my adult life. I have been in the luxury watch sales and service business for forty years. I was occasionally asked if I was the Bob Wingate that sold old Chevy's. I've always loved Corvette's but just recently purchased my first one last December (1966 Roadster). I joined NCRS just last September and attended my first NCRS Regional in Frisco last October and enjoying meeting some outstanding Corvette enthusiast's and collectors. I also will be attending the NCRS Judging Retreat next month in Grapevine Texas. I hope to meet you in the future. All The Best! Bob Wingate

[Michael J.]

Re: Chevrolet U-S-A-1 License Plate Question???

This made me curious, so I looked at my ultra low mile, one owner original '81 which has this license plate supposedly from the dealer. It says" "Taking Charge", so I am now wondering if it could be original. I didn't know there was anything special about those plates.

[Robert W.]

Re: Chevrolet U-S-A-1 License Plate Question???

This made me curious, so I looked at my ultra low mile, one owner original '81 which has this license plate supposedly from the dealer. It says" "Taking Charge", so I am now wondering if it could be original. I didn't know there was anything special about those plates.

It looks like Chevrolet through the years changed up the appearance of their USA-1 plates along with their slogan on the plates. I guess it would be a nice research project for someone to research and figure out what particular plate design went with what year of car. It appears Chevrolet did not change them each year; some probably overlapped a year or more. Again and nice research project for someone. All the best1! Bob

[Jerry M.]

Re: Chevrolet U-S-A-1 License Plate Question???

Bob
Attached is a photo of an original USA-1 plate given to me by the parts manager of the local Chevy dealer where I went to school
(Univ. of Mo. at Rolla). Unsure if it was '66 or '67 but was in that timeframe. Several months later he gave me his extra copy of a (Nov. 1, 1967 issue date) Parts and Illus. Catalog, which I still treasure.
Jerry


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[Robert W.]

Re: Chevrolet U-S-A-1 License Plate Question???

Jerry,
This USA-1 plate design would have definitely been from around 1966 - 1967. It looks perfect and new. Are you sure it's not a aluminum repro?
All the best!
Bob

[Jerry G.]

Re: Chevrolet U-S-A-1 License Plate Question???

Bob
Attached is a photo of an original USA-1 plate given to me by the parts manager of the local Chevy dealer where I went to school
(Univ. of Mo. at Rolla). Unsure if it was '66 or '67 but was in that timeframe. Several months later he gave me his extra copy of a (Nov. 1, 1967 issue date) Parts and Illus. Catalog, which I still treasure.
Jerry


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I worked at a Chevrolet dealership years ago and I had one of these also. The originals were Green on the back of the plate.