Pressed metal number ceased being supplied for new vehicles after 31/08/2001 when the current format was introduced because the standard for reflectivity changed from ‘reflex reflective’ to ‘retro reflective’. The surface coating used with the first yellow and white backgrounds presumably did not meet the new standard. As to the raised lettering itself, it is a not prescribed method of forming the characters in the current BS whereas in early versions pressed characters are specifically listed as being allowable.
Bring back the single white/silver characters that Lotus used to fix to the radiator grilles of Elans and the like, relying on the black of the radiator opening to provide the contrast.
