Vinyl pressings
by Rose Royce · 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.
39 pressings came out in 1976, the album's first year, in 18 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.
MC 5519E W1 ⧈-G-⧈Runout side A variant 1
MC-5429 KR 2̶ 1 KENDUN B ⧈-G-⧈Runout side B variant 1
MC 5519E W3 ⧈-G-⧈Runout side A variant 2
MC-5429 KR M̶ 1 KENDUN B ⧈-G-⧈Runout side B variant 2
MC 5519E W2 ◈-P-◈Runout side A, variant 1
MC-5429 KR2 KENDUN A ◈-P-◈Runout side B, variant 1
MC 5519E W2 ◈-P-◈ IIIIRunout side A, variant 2
MC-5429 KR2 KENDUN A ◈-P-◈ IIRunout side B, variant 2
MC 5519E W2 ◈-P-◈Side A Runout
MC 5476 W2 ◈-P-◈Side B Runout
MC5519ESide A Label
MC5476Side B Label
MC 5519E W2 PSide A Runout
MC 5476 W2 PSide B Runout
MC5519ESide A Label
MC5476Side B Label
MC 5519E W1 ⧈-G-⧈A-side runout
MC-5429 SRK̶1 KENDUN BB-side runout
MC 5519 EA-side label
MC 5429B-side label
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 | Argentina | MCA Records 1131First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | Australia | MCA Records MCA-1498First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1976 | Belgium | MCA Records 4C 006-98209First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1976 | Belgium | MCA Records 4C 006-98209 / MCA Records 40615First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1976 | Belgium | MCA Records 4C 006-98209 / MCA Records 40615First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1976 | Bolivia | MCA Records SMCA - 14013First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-40615First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-40615First year7" | 7" |
| 1976 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-40615First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | France | MCA Records 110 076First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1976 | France | MCA Records 110 076First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1976 | Germany | MCA Records 32.003 / MCA Records 32 003First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1976 | Italy | MCA Records MCAN 40615First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1976 | Italy | MCA Records MCA 40615First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1976 | Italy | MCA Records MCAN 40615First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | US | MCA Records MCA-406157", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1980 | US | MCA Records MCA-406157", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| 1983 | UK | Old Gold OG 93227", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1983 | UK | Old Gold OG 93227", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1983 | UK | Old Gold OG 93227", 45 RPM, Stereo, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo, Single |
| 1984 | US | MCA Records MCA-406157", 45 RPM, Single, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress |
| 1987 | Canada | Unidisc SPEC-1358 / Omni Records SPEC-135812", 33 ⅓ RPM, Reissue | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Reissue |
| 1988 | Europe | MCA Records 257 870-012", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1988 | Europe | MCA Records 257 871-77", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | UK | MCA Records MCAT 125312", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1988 | UK | MCA Records MCA-12537", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1988 | UK | MCA Records WMCAT 1253A DL / MCA Records WMCAT 1253B DL12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | UK | MCA Records MCAT 125312", White Label, Promo · Promo | 12", White Label, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | UK | MCA Records MCA-12537", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1988 | UK | MCA Records MCA 12537", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | US | Collectables COL-90220 / MCA Special Markets & Products MSS-360267", Reissue | 7", Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Philippines | MCA Records MCA 1535 / Hidcor MCA 15357", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Old Gold OG 93227", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | UK | MCA Records MCA 2677", 45 RPM, Single, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress |
| ? | US | Unidisc SPEC-135812", 33 ⅓ RPM, Reissue | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Reissue |
74 vinyl pressings of Car Wash are listed here, from 29 countries, released between 1976 and 2006.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in US, UK, Australia, Belgium and more. One of them is MCA Records MCA-40615.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCA-40615, MCA 267, MCA-1498, 4C 006-98209) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MC 5519E W1 ⧈-G-⧈ and MC-5429 KR 2̶ 1 KENDUN B ⧈-G-⧈. 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.
