It wasn’t long after Man had his first automobiles that he wanted to explore outside his own territory with his new-found freedom of movement. But governments being what governments are, they soon found ways of making some money at border crossings. To circumvent the delays and costs of formally importing their car – even temporarily – to another country, the idea of a carnet de passage was
1899-1906 Belgian plate 228 and Dutch plate Z-203 seen on a very early car which probably lived near the two countries’ border, so needed registering in both places, until the carnet system was devised. 228 close-up, under.
established, which guaranteed payment of import duty to the visited country, if the vehicle entered their land, but didn’t leave it, possibly having been sold to a local buyer. The owner had to deposit the due duty with a bank in his home country and the bank (or, later, national motoring associations) issued the carnet document, which was a promissory note to the foreign Customs-Zoll-Douane, should the vehicle not be officially exited from their territory. However if the car was documented by validating the carnet on exit, no taxes were payable and the beginning of popular motoring tourism was about to open.
Many countries did not participate in the early conferences which then took place to create a protocol for international border-crossing, and tourists from those non-members who still wished to go touring, had to re-register their vehicles in to the visited country at the port of entry .
Placamundi has published a detailed history of the history of this interesting period, which can usually be found on RPWO, with a set of their other learned ‘booklets’ on specific historical matters. Right now (July 2017) website alterations prevent their display.
Placamundi International Identification Ovals
So many fine pictures have come to light in the great albums of Karel Stoel, and from other member sources. The photos are between 50 and 80 years old, and were taken on pretty basic cameras, so we have to tolerate less quality than we expect today!
See how many plates (and cars!) you can recognise:
308560 above is an oddity – Swedish make-up etc. – but, numerals only???
The Australian Holden above doesn’t really count, but as the team came over from the other side of the world, they get a free pass………
Possibly a young spotter placed these Canal Zone tags on a suitable car for the photo….
This Austrian Steyr car must win the prize for its 1930s expedition to the Far East! China and Japan plates were carried, plus two series of Austrian, A 2020 & T 15001. The car still exists in an Austrian museum!
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Posted by Victor Brumby 
