Vintage Enamel Commercial Vehicle Tyre Instruction Plate c.1950s

An original vintage enamel vehicle instruction plate, believed to date from the mid-20th century.

Featuring dark red lettering against a white enamel background, the plate provides important instructions concerning heavy-duty wheels and tyres fitted to the front axle of a commercial vehicle.

The instructions specify 7.50 × 15, 12-ply tyres and warn against fitting the front wheels to the rear axle. In an emergency, the spare wheel could be used on the front axle, provided the vehicle was driven below 20 mph until the correct wheel could be replaced. The reference to returning to a depot suggests that the plate originally belonged to a vehicle operated as part of a commercial or institutional fleet.

Made from enamelled steel with a black reverse and four mounting holes.

An unusual piece of British transport history, appealing to collectors of vintage enamel signs, commercial vehicle memorabilia and industrial antiques.