Vinyl pressings
by Eric Burdon's Fire Dept. · 1980
Last Drive was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
11 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 9 countries. Compare the label and catalog number on your copy, then the codes etched or stamped in the runout groove (the dead wax around the label): they are the surest sign of an early pressing.
202800 A-2/80SRunout side A, variant 1
202800 B-2/80SRunout side B, variant 1
202800 A-2/80S II Made in GermanyRunout side A, variant 2
202800 B-2/80S Made in GermanyRunout side B, variant 2
202800 A-2 / 80SRunout side A, variant 1
202800 B-2 / 80SRunout side B, variant 1
202800 A-2 / 80S II Made in GermanyRunout side A, variant 2
202800 B-2 / 80S Made in GermanyRunout side B, variant 2
202800 A-2/80S II Made in GermanyRunout side A
202800 B-2/80S II Made in GermanyRunout side B
S 202 800 ALabel side A
S 202 800 BLabel side B
S 202 800 ALabel side A
S 202 800 BLabel side B
202 800 A CAMRunout side A, stamped
202 800 B CAMRunout side B, stamped
202800 A-2 / 80S Made in GermanyRunout side A, stamped
202800 B-2 / 80S Made in GermanyRunout side B, stamped
ⅡRunout side A and B, etched
S 202 800 ALabel side A
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Australia & New Zealand | Ariola VPL1 6544First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Brazil | Ariola 202 800First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Europe | Ariola 202 800-320 / Ariola 202 800First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | France | Ariola 202 800-320 / Arabella 202 800First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Germany | Ariola 202 800 / Ariola 202 800-320First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Germany | Ariola 202 800 / Ariola 202 800-320First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Germany | Ariola .202 800-320LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1980 | Germany | Ariola 202 800 / Ariola 202 800-320First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Greece | Ariola 6483 256First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Italy | Ariola ARL 39074First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Ariola 202 800 / Ariola 202 800-320First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Spain | Ariola I-202 800 / Ariola I-202.800First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Mexico | Ariola LAE-336 / Ariola 202 800-320LP, Album | LP, Album |
13 vinyl pressings of Last Drive are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1980 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in Germany, Australia & New Zealand, Brazil, Europe and more. One of them is Ariola 202 800.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 202 800, VPL1 6544, 202 800-320, 6483 256) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 202800 A-2/80S and 202800 B-2/80S. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
It depends on which pressing you have and on the condition of the record and its sleeve. Early pressings from the album's home country in near mint condition are usually worth the most; common later reissues are worth far less. Scan your copy with VinylLens to see its value for every grade.
