Vinyl pressings
by The Cars · 1984
Drive was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
49 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 17 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.
SRC STE· 69706-A· 2 1·1 STERLINGRunout A, variant 1
SRC STE· 69706-B-2 1-1 STERLINGRunout B, variant 1
SRC STE· 69706-A-1 1·3 STERLINGRunout A, variant 2
SRC STE· 69706-B-1 1·3 STERLINGRunout B, variant 2
STE-69706-A-3 [Allied stamp] R-13141-3 SLM ∆7363 1-1 STERLING[stamped]Runout side A
STE-69706-B-3 [Allied stamp] R-13189-B3 SLM ∆7363-X 1-1 STERLING[stamped]Runout side B
ST-E-69706-A-ARLabel side A
ST-E-69706-B-ARLabel side B
SRC STE· 69706-A-1 1·3 STERLINGRunout A etched (SRC sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ stamps)
SRC STE· 69706-A·2 1·1 STERLINGRunout B etched (SRC sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ stamps)
ST-E-69706-A-SPBoth sides
STE-69706-A-3 Q R-13141-3 SLM ∆7363 1-1 STERLINGRunouts
ST-E-69706-A-ARLabels
E 9706 T A//1 VSide A runout, variant 1
E 9706 T B//1 VSide B runout, variant 1
E 9706 T A//1 V 11 1Side A runout, variant 2
E 9706 T B//1 V 11 1Side B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Australia | Elektra 7-69706First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Brazil | Elektra 12.144First year7", Single, 33 ⅓ RPM | 7", Single, 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1984 | Canada | Elektra 96 97067First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Canada | Elektra 96 97067First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Canada | Elektra 96 97067First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Canada | Elektra 96 97067First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Ecuador | Elektra 45-85038First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Europe | Elektra 969 706-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | Elektra 966 934-0First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | Elektra 969 706-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | Elektra 969 706-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | France | Elektra 969 706-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | France | Elektra PRO 1045 / Asylum Records PRO 1045First year12", Maxi-Single, Promo, 45 RPM · Promo | 12", Maxi-Single, Promo, 45 RPM · Promo |
| 1984 | France | Elektra 969 706-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Ireland | Elektra E9706 / Elektra 969706-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
52 vinyl pressings of Drive are listed here, from 18 countries, released between 1984 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in US, UK, Japan, Australia and more. One of them is Elektra 7-69706, released July 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 7-69706, 966934-0, E9706T, E 9706) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SRC STE· 69706-A· 2 1·1 STERLING and SRC STE· 69706-B-2 1-1 STERLING. 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.
