Vinyl pressings
by Norman Whitfield · 1976
Car Wash was first pressed on vinyl in 1976. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
22 pressings came out in 1976, the album's first year, in 12 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.
MCA 1068 W1 3Side A Etched Variant 1
MCA 1070 W1Side B Etched Variant 1
MCA 1071 W2Side C Etched Variant 1
MCA 1069 W1 3Side D Etched, Variant 1
MCA 1068 KR2 KENDUN A ◈-P-◈ 11Side A runout
MCA-1070-KR3 KENDUN A ◈-P-◈ ̶1̶1̶1̶1̶ 1Side B runout
MCA 1071 KR2 KENDUN A ◈-P-◈ ̶1̶1̶1̶1̶Side C runout
MCA 1069 KR2 V KENDUN A ◈-P-◈ 111Side D runout
回-G-回Runout all sides on variants 1 and 2, stamped
MCA 1068 W1 4Side A runout, etched, variant 1
MCA 1070 W2 3Side B runout, etched, variant 1
MCA 1071 W1 7Side C runout, etched, variant 1
MCA 1068 KR2 KENDUN A ◈-P-◈Runout A etch; KENDUN stamp
MCA-1070-KR3 KENDUN A ◈-P-◈Runout B etch; KENDUN stamp
MCA 1071 KR2 KENDUN A ◈-P-◈Runout C etch; KENDUN stamp
MCA 1069 KR2 KENDUN A ◈-P-◈Runout D etch; KENDUN stamp
MCA 1068 KR1 KENDUN BSide 1 runout etched (KENDUN stamped)
MCA 1070 KR1 KENDUN BSide 2 runout etched (KENDUN stamped)
MCA 1071 KR1 KENDUN BSide 3 runout etched (KENDUN stamped)
MCA 1069 KR1 KENDUN BSide 4 runout etched (KENDUN stamped)
MCA 1068 KR1 KENDUN BSide 1 runout etched (KENDUN stamped)
MCA 1070 KR1 KENDUN BSide 2 runout etched (KENDUN stamped)
MCA 1071 KR1 KENDUN BSide 3 runout etched (KENDUN stamped)
MCA 1069 KR1 KENDUN BSide 4 runout etched (KENDUN stamped)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Australia | MCA Records MCA2-6000First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Australia | MCA Records MCA2-6000First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Belgium | MCA Records 4C 156-98200/01 / MCA Records MCA2-6000First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Brazil | MCA Records 4.07-503-017 / MCA Records 4.07-503-018First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Canada | MCA Records MCA2-6000First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Canada | MCA Records MCA2-6000First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Greece | MCA Records 14C 162-98200/1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Italy | MCA Records MCA 2-6000First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Italy | MCA Records 2-6000First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Netherlands | MCA Records 5C 152-98200/1 / MCA Records MCA2-6000First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | New Zealand | MCA Records MCA2-6000First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | South Africa | MCA Records DLPL 371/2First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | UK | MCA Records MCSP 278 / MCA Records 0C 156 - 98200-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | UK | MCA Records MCSP 278 / MCA Records 0C 156 - 98200-1First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1976 | US | MCA Records MCA2-6000First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | US | Geffen Records B0022551-01 / UMe B0022551-01LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | MCA Records MCA2-6000LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
33 vinyl pressings of Car Wash are listed here, from 18 countries, released between 1976 and 2015.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in US, UK, Australia, Belgium and more. One of them is MCA Records MCA2-6000.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCA2-6000, MCSP 278, 4C 156-98200/01, 4.07-503-017) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MCA 1068 W1 3 and MCA 1070 W1. 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.
