Vinyl pressings
by Shakatak · 1981
Drivin' Hard was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
11 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 9 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.
POLS 1030 A//2▽ESTR 1 1 3 STRAWBERRYRunout, stamped, side A. (Variant 1)
POLS 1030 B//2▽ESTR 1 1 3 STRAWBERRYRunout, stamped, side B. (Variant 1)
POLS 1030 A//2▽ESTR 1 3 0 1 STRAWBERRYRunout, stamped, side A. (Variant 2)
POLS 1030 B//2▽ESTR 1 3 1 3 STRAWBERRYRunout, stamped, side B. (Variant 2)
2383 607 S 1 3 20 IRunout side A, variant 1
2383 607 S 2 3 20 GRunout side B, variant 1
2383 607 S 1 3 20 1 ARunout side A, variant 2
2383 607 S 2 3 20 1 DRunout side B, variant 2
2383 607 S 1 3 20 IRunout side A, variant 1
2383 607 S 2 3 20 GRunout side B, variant 1
2383 607 S 1 3 20 1 ARunout side A, variant 2
2383 607 S 2 3 20 1 DRunout side B, variant 2
POLS 1030 A//2▽ESTR 1 STRAWBERRYRunout, stamped, side 1.
POLS 1030 B//2▽ESTR 1 STRAWBERRYRunout, stamped, side 2.
CPRunout, etched, side 2.
2383 635 1Y 1 Ⓟ1981 670 111 06Runout side A [Variant 1; stamped]
2383 635 2Y 1 Ⓟ1981 670 114 06Runout side B [Variant 1; stamped]
2383 635 1Y 1 Ⓟ1981 670 111 06 113 06Runout side A [Variant 2; stamped]
2383 635 2Y 1 Ⓟ1981 670 113 06Runout side B [Variant 2; stamped]
2383 635 1Y 1 ℗ 1981 670 111Runout side A, variant 1
2383 635 2Y 1 ℗ 1981 670 111Runout side B, variant 1
2383 635 1Y 1 ℗ 1981 670 111 06Runout side A, variant 2
2383 635 2Y 1 ℗ 1981 670 114 06Runout side B, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Germany | Polydor 2383 607First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Germany | Polydor 2383 607First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Ireland | Polydor POLS 1030First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Japan | Polydor 28MM0208First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Polydor 2383 635First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Polydor 2383 635First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Peru | Polydor Y-POL 2383607.8First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Singapore, Malaysia & Hong Kong | Polydor 2383 607First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | South Africa | Polydor POLS 5557First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Spain | Polydor 23 83 607First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | UK | Polydor POLS 1030First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Japan | Polydor 28MM 0208LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Mexico | Polydor 2383 607 / PolyGram LPR 16445LP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | South Africa | Polydor POLY 5557LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Mexico | Polydor LPR-16445LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Polydor SPELP 100LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
17 vinyl pressings of Drivin' Hard are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1981 and 1984.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands and more. One of them is Polydor POLS 1030.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use POLS 1030, 2383 607, 2383 635, Y-POL 2383607.8) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, POLS 1030 A//2▽ESTR 1 1 3 STRAWBERRY and POLS 1030 B//2▽ESTR 1 1 3 STRAWBERRY. 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.
