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Here,
Digger talks to Ash Waller at Tippers Classic & Vintage
Plates about the business which was established in 1932.
Classic, Vintage and Veteran cars demand that finishing touch
- the authentic number plate, and these days cars from the
sixties and even the seventies are candidates for That Tippers
Touch.
Digger:
Can you tell us a bit of the background to Tippers Vintage
Plates?
Ash
Waller: Tippers has been established since 1932 when Gilbert
Tipper Sr. started making plates. Gilbert Jr. worked from a
young age within the business and eventually took over the
operation. He wisely bought up stock from other
manufacturers as they closed down, knowing that the demand
for classic plates would re-emerge after the launch of
modern reflective plates put many businesses out of work. Gilbert
Jr. has now decided that after 60 years he should take it a
bit easier and in April 2010 he sold the company to my
family, and with his advice and expertise we continue making
license plates for what are now Classic & Vintage
vehicles.
Examples
of various styles of plates over the years
Digger:
How authentic are these plates?
Ash
Waller: Our plates are made using the same method and
equipment that Tippers have used for many years, so we do
not make modern versions or replicas of vintage plates. We
make them as they were made in period, using fly presses,
dies and high temperature enamelling. Our stock of digits
are all original, and very rare, and you can't get more
authentic than that.
Digger:
What sort of feedback do you get from clients?
Ash
Waller: Our
clients are looking to return their vehicles to the "as
new" look. Authenticity and quality are what they
desire, and what we deliver. We enjoy a relationship with
our clients, and are always willing to go the extra mile.
Digger:
If someone was interested in Vintage plates for their car,
what paperwork/info do you need from them (apart from
the registration, I suppose) and
typically how much would it cost?
Ash
Waller: The
DVLA requires us to keep records for all plates we make,
typically this would be the V5 registration document, photo
card driving license and a household utility bill.
Plates
range from £19.75 to £150.00 depending on size and type.
Digger:
What do you most enjoy about what you are doing?
Ash
Waller: I
enjoy dealing with enthusiasts. Our clients are always
excited about the finishing touches to their pride and joy.
Digger:
Why is Vintage and Retro so enduringly popular?
Ash
Waller: I
believe that people are drawn to quality and British
manufacturing. Things that have been lost for a while due to
"price" rather than quality being the most
important factor.
Digger: How
was Goodwood?
Ash
Waller: I
absolutely love the atmosphere at Goodwood Revival. It is
such a unique experience, a true step back in time to the
glory days of Motor Racing. Nowhere else can I go and mix
with famous racing drivers, help push cars worth over a
million pounds, and watch such exhilarating racing in the
company of true enthusiasts.
Digger:
What does The Internet mean to your business?
Ash
Waller: The
Internet allows us global marketing, resulting in our export
of plates to Japan, USA, Australia, all across Europe.
Digger:
What are the future plans for Tippers Vintage Plates?
Ash
Waller: We hope to continue the growth of our business
through our existing product lines, and also to identify any
retro trends that we can meet, such as our recent entry
into 1970's style plates. There are a lot of Classic &
Vintage cars out there that should have "Tippers"
plates on them!
Manufacturers
of all Pre-1972 types of number plates. For Motor Cars and
Motor Cycles.
Tippers Classic & Vintage Plates
Unit 2
Bucklers Lane
Holmbush
St Austell
Cornwall
PL25 3JN
Telephone: 01726 879799
Fax: 01726 871413
Email: info@tippersvintageplates.co.uk
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