Vinyl pressings
by Gary Numan · 1979
Cars was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
44 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 15 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.
BEG 23 A1 STRAWBERRY ADA side run-out variant 1
BEG 23 B1 STRAWBERRY ADB side run-out variant 1
BEG 23 A4 C STRAWBERRYA side run-out variant 2
BEG 23 B4 STRAWBERRY BB side run-out variant 2
BEG 23 A//2▼ESTR STRAWBERRYA side run-out
BEG 23 B//2▼ESTR STRAWBERRYB side run-out
B.E.G. 23 A-1 STRAWBERRY EGA-side run-out, etching
BEG 23 B-1 STRAWBERRY EGB-side run-out, etching
BEG 23 A-3 STRAWBERRY A1DA-side run-out
BEG 23 B-3 STRAWBERRY A2FB-side run-out
BEG 23 A-1 E.G.. A1C STRAWBERRYSide A, variant 2
BEG 23 B-1 E.G.. A1C STRAWBERRYSide B, variant 2
S-6 B.E.G. 23 A-1 E.G. STRAWBERRYA-side runout, variant 1
9-S5̶̷P̶̷ BEG 23 B-1 E.G. STRAWBERRYB-side runout, variant 1
S-2 B.E.G. 23 A-1 E.G. STRAWBERRYA-side runout, variant 2
S-11 B.E.G. 23 B-1 E.G. STRAWBERRYB-side runout, variant 2
S-1 B.E.G. 23 A-1 STRAWBERRYSide A run-out
S-1 BEG 23 B-1 STRAWBERRYSide B run-out
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Australia | Atlantic 100110 / Beggars Banquet 100110First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Canada | Beggars Banquet BEG 23First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Canada | Beggars Banquet BEG 23First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1979 | Canada | Beggars Banquet BEG 23First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Canada | Beggars Banquet BEG-23First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Germany | Beggars Banquet INT 126.502First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Germany | Beggars Banquet INT 111.524First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Germany | Aves INT 126.502 / Beggars Banquet INT 126.502First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1979 | Germany | Beggars Banquet INT 126.502First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1979 | Germany | Beggars Banquet INT 126.50212", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1979 | Jamaica | Atlantic 7221First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Netherlands | Beggars Banquet 144.700First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1979 | Netherlands | CNR 144.700First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Netherlands | Beggars Banquet 144.700First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Netherlands | Beggars Banquet 144.700First year7", Single, Stereo | 7", Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Italy | Atlantic K 113607", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1980 | Italy | Atlantic K 113607", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1980 | Peru | WEA F-WEA 0000023.07", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | Peru | WEA F-WEA 0000023.07", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Beggars Banquet BEG 237", 45 RPM, Single, White Label, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label, Stereo |
50 vinyl pressings of Cars are listed here, from 17 countries, released between 1979 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in UK, US, Ireland, Japan and more. One of them is Beggars Banquet BEG 23, released August 24, 1979.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BEG 23, 7211, P-500A, 100110) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BEG 23 A1 STRAWBERRY AD and BEG 23 B1 STRAWBERRY AD. 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.
