AA signs

2756 Views 16 Replies 9 Participants Last post by Brian Considine, Sep 1, 2008

Duztee

Discussion Starter · May 31, 2008

Hi fellows,
It seems to be be true that what ever the question some one always knows the answer!
So, can any knowledgeable person tell me when did the AA (automobile Association) change from their very floural sign to the stark modern one.
I would guess that although vehicle signing was changed quite quickly, the signs on hotels etc were still to be seen for quite some period after the change.
Duztee.

1 - 17 of 17 Posts

alastairq

· #2 · May 31, 2008

i have, somewhere, my first ever AA car badge....what you describe as a 'floral' design.....although perhaps 'gothic' might also be descriptive?

I got this badge in the late 1960's.....1968/9 I think.

It then changed to the square version.

so I guess the corporate logo change occurred around then?

I have checked Wikipedia....but logo dates are missing......interesting comment regarding recent buyouts, etc, though!

Not sure when the AA's route/road signage changed format though........bearing in mind, before WW2, many route/road signs were erected by the AA, and not by Local Authorities?

again for these detail items, its worth checking out old issues of ''Practical Classics'', as they ran a series of dated street photos, going back to the dark ages.........which contain an immense amount of 'street' detail.

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dwb

· #3 · May 31, 2008

QUOTE I got this badge in the late 1960's.....1968/9 I think.

It then changed to the square version.

My dad got "adventurous" and started taking us on camping holidays to the south of France in 1968. He got route directions from the AA. As far as I can remember, the literature and certainly the 5***** windscreen sticker he got had the new logo. From a design point of view it is very late '60s to my eye.

So my vote is for 1968.

David

poliss

· #4 · May 31, 2008

1967 Found it on the AA website. http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/about_aa/badges.html

7113

· #5 · May 31, 2008

QUOTE (poliss @ 31 May 2008, 14:41) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>1967 Found it on the AA website.

Which ties in well with my memories of my old Dinky toys AA van(s).

Personally I always preferred the old RAC badges.

Regards

alastairq

· #6 · May 31, 2008

QUOTE Personally I always preferred the old RAC badges.

yeah...but the AA were not noted for giving THOSE out...

dwb

· #7 · May 31, 2008

QUOTE yeah...but the AA were not noted for giving THOSE out...

I think my brother got the one from my Grandad's Ford Prefect. I wonder has he still got it?

David

millsie

· #8 · Jun 20, 2008

i have an old stye one on my anglia..as well as the old style RAC one too

transportalforlondon

· #9 · Aug 25, 2008

Greetings citizens. It's my first post here, and I can add a little info to this.
The answer may be a little earlier.

I have a copy of the 1966/67 Member's Handbook (for Ireland) and although it has the old-style logo on the cover, an insert that was pasted into the inside front-cover has the square logo.

My thinking is that the logo was redesigned to fit in with the then new Kinneir and Calvert road signage scheme. I think they wanted their logo to look the same as it would in the 'Motorway' font but in italics for emphasis. However the K&C signage was also mentioned in the 1964/65 Handbook (UK) as 'may be introduced during the currency of this handbook.'

alastairq

· #10 · Aug 25, 2008

greetings indeed.....contributions such as these are what makes forums such useful resources.....thank you......keep 'em coming....doesn't have to be railway orientated, since for many of us, recalling what our surroundings were really like all those years ago is often difficult.

and since it appears the early/middle BR steam period is currently the most popular, then info such as this is all grist to the mill.

trainman

· #11 · Aug 25, 2008

Do you mean one as seen on the front mudguard of this motorcycle and seen just yesterday?

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7113

· #12 · Aug 26, 2008

QUOTE (alastairq @ 25 Aug 2008, 21:22) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>contributions such as these are what makes forums such useful resources.....thank you......keep 'em coming....doesn't have to be railway orientated, since for many of us, recalling what our surroundings were really like all those years ago is often difficult.

Wise words Alastair, as age catches up and the grey cells recede it is always useful to have these references available - now where did I put my zimmer frame?

QUOTE (trainman @ 25 Aug 2008, 23:46) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Do you mean one as seen on the front mudguard of this motorcycle and seen just yesterday?

That's certainly the early one.

Regards

Brian Considine

· #13 · Aug 26, 2008 (Edited by Moderator)

QUOTE (BRITHO @ 26 Aug 2008, 17:25) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>- now where did I put my zimmer frame?
You left it on the back of the bathchair ! (if you can remember where you left that.)

7113

· #14 · Aug 30, 2008

QUOTE (Brian Considine @ 26 Aug 2008, 17:58) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>You left it on the back of the bathchair ! (if you can remember where you left that.)

Probably in the back of my pale blue AC invalid carriage....I wonder if any of them still exist?

Regards

alastairq

· #15 · Aug 30, 2008

QUOTE (BRITHO @ 30 Aug 2008, 15:16) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Probably in the back of my pale blue AC invalid carriage....I wonder if any of them still exist?

Regards

likley they're all on tHE Isle of WIGHT

7113

· #16 · Aug 31, 2008

Why the Isle of Wight?

Mind you I never have worked out how we managed to get from AA badges to invalid cars - but having said that I believe the last was registered in 1979/80 when the new policy of using standard modified cars came in. The first motability cars were Mini Clubmans and were registered in 1980!

Regards

Brian Considine

· #17 · Sep 1, 2008

QUOTE (BRITHO @ 31 Aug 2008, 15:22) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>The first motability cars were Mini Clubmans and were registered in 1980!

Regards

If I remember you could have them in any colour you liked - as long as it was blue !

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