Vinyl pressings
by Gary Numan · 1987
Cars was first pressed on vinyl in 1987. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 3 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-199.A1 ✶ 1 MT POUNDA TA1PE DAMONT FRunout, A-side, etched
✶ BEG-199.B1 ✶ MT DAMONT URunout, B-side, etched
BEG 199 A*Label side A
BEG 199 B*Label side B
BEG 199TR A*Label Side A
BEG 199TR B*Label Side B
BEG+199+P+B SRTRunout side A, etched
BEG+199+P+A SRTRunout side B, etched
✲ BEG 199 (T)·A-1 ✲ 1 MT. POUNDA TA1PE DAMONT OTS XRunout side A, etched, variant 1
✲ BEG 199 (T)·B-1 ✲ 1 MT. DAMONT ⌶Runout side B, etched, variant 1
✲ BEG 199 (T)·A-1 ✲ 1 MT. POUNDA TA1PE DAMONT DGSide A runout, etched, variant 2
✲ BEG 199 (T)·B-1 ✲ 1 MT. DAMONT DGSide B runout, etched, variant 2
✲ BEG 199 (T)·A-1 ✲ 1 MT. POUNDA TA1PE DAMONT OTS XRunout side A, etched
✲ BEG 199 (T)·B-1 ✲ 1 MT. DAMONT ⌶Runout side B, etched
* BEG-199-A1 * 1E DAMONT POUNDA TA1PE BSide A runout
* BEG-199.B1 * 1 MT. DAMONT BSide B runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | South Africa | Gresham Records DGS 488First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Spain | Victoria VIC-329 / Beggars Banquet BEG 199First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Spain | Victoria VIC-329 / Beggars Banquet BEG 199First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Numbered, Promo · Promo, Numbered | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Numbered, Promo · Promo, Numbered |
| 1987 | UK | Beggars Banquet BEG 199TFirst year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | UK | Beggars Banquet BEG 199TFirst year12", 45 RPM, White Label | 12", 45 RPM, White Label |
| 1987 | UK | Beggars Banquet BEG 199First year7", 45 RPM, White Label | 7", 45 RPM, White Label |
| 1987 | UK | Beggars Banquet BEG 199 P7", 45 RPM, Picture Disc, Test Pressing · Test pressing, Picture disc | 7", 45 RPM, Picture Disc, Test Pressing · Test pressing, Picture disc |
| 1987 | UK | Beggars Banquet BEG 199TRFirst year12", 45 RPM, White Label | 12", 45 RPM, White Label |
| 1987 | UK | Beggars Banquet BEG 199First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | UK | Beggars Banquet BEG 199TRFirst year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | UK | Beggars Banquet BEG 199 PFirst year7", Picture Disc, Single, 45 RPM · Picture disc | 7", Picture Disc, Single, 45 RPM · Picture disc |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Beggars Banquet BEG 199T12", 45 RPM, Repress | 12", 45 RPM, Repress |
12 vinyl pressings of Cars are listed here, from 3 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in UK, South Africa, Spain. One of them is Beggars Banquet BEG 199, released August 31, 1987.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BEG 199, BEG 199TR, BEG 199 P, BEG 199T) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ✶ BEG-199.A1 ✶ 1 MT POUNDA TA1PE DAMONT F and ✶ BEG-199.B1 ✶ MT DAMONT U. 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.
