Vinyl pressings
by Saxon · 1980
Wheels Of Steel 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.
10 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 7 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.
CAR 143 A-1 D Ʊ BØSide A runout, variant 1
CAR 143 B-1 D Ʊ BNSide B runout, variant 1
CAR 143 A-1 1 D C ƱSide A runout, variant 2
CAR 143 B-1 1 D C ƱSide B runout, variant 2
[lyre symbol] CAR 143 A-1Scribed in runout side A
[lyre symbol] CAR 143 B-1 DAMONT HScribed in runout side B
CAR 143 A*Side A label
CAR 143 B*Side B label
2044 184 S1 BSide A
2044 184 S2 BSide B
EXP [A̶G̶I̶ ̶l̶o̶g̶o̶] 803 49618A 49 618 A TLRunout side A
EXP [A̶G̶I̶ ̶l̶o̶g̶o̶] 803 49618B 49 618 B TLRunout side B
49.618/1Label side A
49.618/2Label 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 | Brazil | Carrere 501.7060 / Top Tape Musica Ltda. 501.7060First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1980 | France | Carrere 49.618First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1980 | Italy | Carrere JB740First year7", Jukebox, Stereo | 7", Jukebox, Stereo |
| 1980 | Mexico | Carrere MX-0030 / Peerless 0030First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Misprint | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Misprint |
| 1980 | Mexico | Carrere CAR-11620First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1980 | Spain | Carrere CAR 0015First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Spain | Carrere CAR 0015First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | UK | Carrere CAR.143 / Carrere CAR 143First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | UK | Carrere CAR 143First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Germany | Carrere 2044 184 / Carrere CAR 2048First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
10 vinyl pressings of Wheels Of Steel are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in UK, Germany, Brazil, France and more. One of them is Carrere CAR.143.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CAR.143, CAR 143, 2044 184, 501.7060) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, CAR 143 A-1 D Ʊ BØ and CAR 143 B-1 D Ʊ BN. 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.
