Vinyl pressings
by Judie Tzuke · 1980
Sports Car 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.
13 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 11 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.
TRAIN 9 A // 1▽E UT ƱSide A, variant 1
TRAIN 9 B // 1▽E UT Ʊ FOR WENDYSide B, variant 1
TRAIN 9 A // 1▽E UT Ʊ 1 1 1 3Side A, variant 2
TRAIN 9 B // 1▽E UT Ʊ FOR WENDY 1 1 1 6Side B, variant 2
MCA 2288 W1 ⧈-G-⧈Runout side A
MCA 2289 W1 ⧈-G-⧈Runout side B
MCA 2288Label side A
MCA 2289Label side B
6302 016 ASide A runout stamped
6302 016 BSide B runout stamped
6302 016 1Side A label
6302 016 2Side B label
MCA 2288 W1 Pig 3249-ASide A runout
MCA 2289 W1Side B runout
ROR 030 6302016 A 380 POLYGRAMStamped runout side A
ROR 030 6302016 A 380 POLYGRAMStamped runout side B
6302 016 1Label side A
6302 016 2Label side B
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 | Australasia | The Rocket Record Company 6302 016First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Canada | The Rocket Record Company PIG-3249First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | France | The Rocket Record Company 6302 016First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Germany | The Rocket Record Company 6302 016First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | India | The Rocket Record Company Ltd. 6302 016First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Italy | The Rocket Record Company 6302 016First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Netherlands | The Rocket Record Company 6302 016First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Scandinavia | The Rocket Record Company 6302 016First yearLP, Album, Misprint | LP, Album, Misprint |
| 1980 | Scandinavia | The Rocket Record Company 6302 016First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | South Africa | The Rocket Record Company STAR 5132First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | UK | The Rocket Record Company TRAIN 9First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | MCA Records PIG-3249 / MCA Records PIG 3249First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | MCA Records PIG-3249 / The Rocket Record Company PIG-3249First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | UK | The Rocket Record Company PRICE 29 / The Rocket Record Company 630 201-6LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | The Rocket Record Company TRAIN 9LP, Advance | LP, Advance |
15 vinyl pressings of Sports Car are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1980 and 1983.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in UK, US, Australasia, Canada and more. One of them is The Rocket Record Company TRAIN 9.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use TRAIN 9, PIG-3249, 6302 016, STAR 5132) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, TRAIN 9 A // 1▽E UT Ʊ and TRAIN 9 B // 1▽E UT Ʊ FOR WENDY. 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.
