Vinyl pressings
by Kraftwerk · 1974
Autobahn was first pressed on vinyl in 1974. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
16 pressings came out in 1974, 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.
10 AA6003438 1W 320 1 HRunout side A, variant 1
10 AA6003438 2W 320 1 KRunout side B, variant 1
10 AA6003438 1W 320 1 RRunout side A, variant 2
10 AA6003438 2W 320 1 TRunout side B, variant 2
6147012 1F//1∇420 05 12 29 Steve & RalphSide A
6147012 2F//2∇420 05 14 12Side B
6147012 1F//1∇420 05 1 1 1 6 Steve & RalphSide A stamped / etched variant 1
6147012 2F//2∇420 05 1 1 1 8Side B stamped variant 1
6147012 1F//1∇420 05 1 1 1 2 Steve & RalphSide A stamped / etched variant 2
6147012 2F//2∇420 05 1 2 8Side B stamped variant 2
6147012 1F//2▽420 04 Steve and Ralph A-SIDE A1KSide A runout
6147012 2F//3▽420 04 B-SIDE A1TSide B runout
6147 012.1Side A label
6147 012.2Side B label
6147012 1F //1▽420 05 12 29 Steve & RalphSide A stamped
6147012 2F //2▽420 05 14 10Side B stamped
2-51832-CP7 MASTERDISK G. KONGA Side Runout Variant 1
2-51769-CP7 MASTERDISK G.K.B Side Runout Variant 1
2-51832-CP4 MASTERDISK G.K.A Side Runout Variant 2
2-51769-CP3 MASTERDISK G.K.B Side Runout Variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Canada | Vertigo VE 203First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | France | Vertigo 6003 438First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Germany | Philips 6003 438First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | Guatemala | Vertigo VE-203First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Ireland | Vertigo 6147 012First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | New Zealand | Vertigo 6147 009First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | South Africa | Philips TOS.1034 / Philips 6003 438First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1974 | South Africa | Philips TOS.1034 / Philips 6003 438First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1974 | UK | Vertigo 6147 012First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | UK | Vertigo 6147 012First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | UK | Vertigo 6147 012First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | UK | Vertigo 6147 012First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | UK & Europe | Vertigo 6147 012First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | US | Vertigo VE-203First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1974 | US | Vertigo VE-DJ-8 / Vertigo VE-203First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene, Stereo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Germany | Musikexpress / Kling Klang7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Single · Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Single · Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Worldwide | Kling Klang 5021732470287 / Parlophone 50217324702877", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Vertigo 6147 0127", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| ? | Poland | B+H Records PUR 000887Flexi-disc, Card Backed, Single Sided, Unofficial Release, 6" · Unofficial | Flexi-disc, Card Backed, Single Sided, Unofficial Release, 6" · Unofficial |
| ? | Poland | Art & Muzyka ARM-20153-1Flexi-disc, 5½", Single Sided, Card Backed, Limited Edition, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Limited | Flexi-disc, 5½", Single Sided, Card Backed, Limited Edition, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Limited |
32 vinyl pressings of Autobahn are listed here, from 17 countries, released between 1974 and 2025.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in Germany, UK, US, Canada and more. One of them is Philips 6003 438.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 6003 438, 6147 012, VE-203, VE-DJ-8) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 10 AA6003438 1W 320 1 H and 10 AA6003438 2W 320 1 K. 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.
