Vinyl pressings
by Gino Vannelli · 1984
Black Cars was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
14 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 10 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.
PDS-1-6415-A DM-11A side runout, etched
PDS-1-6415-B DM-34B side runout, etched
A PDS-1-6415A side label
B PDS-1-6415B side label
PAP BFW40077-AS XRunout side A, etched, variant 1
PAP BFW40077-BS XRunout side B, etched, variant 1
BFW 40077-AS X V P APRunout side A, etched, variant 2
BFW 40077-BS X o P-APRunout side B, etched, variant 2
BFW 40077 ASLabel side A, etched
BFW 40077 BSLabel side B, etched
825 108-1 S 1 = 2 2 320 13A side runout
82(3 crossed out)5 108-1 S2 1 320 13B Side runout, etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Australia | Polydor 825 108-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Canada | Polydor PDS 1 6415 / Polydor PDS -1-6415First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Europe | Disques Dreyfus 825 108-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | France | Disques Dreyfus FDM 18115First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Germany | Disques Dreyfus 825 108-1 / Polydor 825 108-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Germany | Disques Dreyfus 825 108-1 / Polydor 825 108-1First yearLP, Album, Picture Disc · Picture disc | LP, Album, Picture Disc · Picture disc |
| 1984 | Italy | Polydor 825 108-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Italy | Disques Dreyfus 825 108-1 / Polydor 825 108-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Portugal | Polydor 825 108-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | South Africa | Polydor Poly 5659First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Spain | Disques Dreyfus 825 108-1 / Polydor 825 108-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | US | HME Records BFW 40077 / PRA Records, Inc. PZ40077First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | US | CBS Associated Records FZ 40077First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | US | HME Records BFW 40077 / PRA Records, Inc. FZ40077First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Argentina | PolyGram 27241 / Polydor 825108-1LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Polydor PDS 1 6415 / Polydor PDS-1-6415LP, Album | LP, Album |
26 vinyl pressings of Black Cars are listed here, from 15 countries, released between 1984 and 1985.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in Canada, US, Australia, Europe and more. One of them is Polydor PDS 1 6415.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PDS 1 6415, BFW 40077, FZ 40077, 825 108-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PDS-1-6415-A DM-11 and PDS-1-6415-B DM-34. 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.
