The Retro Typewriter Parking Plate That Makes Your Dashboard Look Designed on Purpose

Some car accessories shout for attention.
This one just sits there quietly and lets design people notice it.

The bbdd Typewriter Parking Number Plate from No Fun Club is a compact, retro parking tag for your dashboard—inspired by the iconic 1969 Olivetti Valentine typewriter. It turns a usually boring “leave your number” sign into a small design object, with zinc-alloy and high-temp ABS construction, a UV high-gloss finish, reusable anti-slip gel, and a hideable number window for privacy.

If you know someone who cares what their dashboard looks like, this is the kind of detail they’ll actually notice.

What It Is: A Design Object That Just Happens to Be a Parking Plate

From the product page:

“Inspired by the Olivetti Valentine (1969), bbdd’s retro Typewriter Parking Number Plate blends style and utility. Zinc alloy + high-temp ABS, UV-gloss finish, re-usable anti-slip gel, and a hideable number window.”

In other words, it’s:

• A temporary parking number plate for your car

• Styled like a mini typewriter carriage with raised “keys”

• Built from electroplated zinc alloy + high-temperature ABS, with a UV high-gloss topcoat

• Held in place by reusable anti-slip gel on the bottom

• Equipped with a hidden number slider so you can show or hide your digits as needed

It’s part of No Fun Club’s Little Joys Under $30—small, design-led gifts that feel thoughtful without blowing the budget.

Retro Typewriter Vibes, Real-World Utility

A little Olivetti on your dashboard

The bbdd plate is a tribute to the Olivetti Valentine typewriter from 1969—a design icon known for its punchy colors and playful compact form.

The plate translates that into:

• Rounded, typewriter-like “keys” for the numbers

• A compact rectangular base that feels more like a mini design piece than a cheap plastic sign

• Elevated enough to look intentional, not like something you grabbed at a gas station

From the Iconic Retro, Everyday Utility section:

“A tribute to the 1969 Olivetti Valentine, this plate turns a simple parking tag into a design object. The raised ‘keys’ and compact footprint elevate any dashboard while keeping contact info visible when needed.”

For people who care about typography, industrial design, or just good-looking objects, this is the rare car accessory that doesn’t ruin the aesthetic.

Built to last: metal body, high-temp plastics, UV gloss

Car interiors go through a lot: sun, heat, dust, bags thrown onto the dash.

This plate is built to handle it:

• Zinc-alloy body with electroplating → feels solid and premium to the touch

• High-temperature ABS plastic → resists warping and softening in a hot car

• UV high-gloss topcoat → color stability + scratch resistance

From Built to Last, Built to Shine:

“A zinc-alloy body with electroplating meets high-temperature ABS and a UV high-gloss topcoat for color stability and scratch resistance. It resists heat, fading, and warping through daily driving.”

Customer reviews back this up:

• “Color hasn’t faded in sun. Numbers pop against the glossy face and are easy to swap.” – Jack Nguyen

• “UV gloss shines, but after a month I see tiny scuffs if you stare. Still looks premium overall.” – Mia Thompson

The overall impression: this looks and feels like a considered object, not a disposable accessory.

Privacy, But Make It Pretty

Hideable number window with realistic expectations

One of the biggest upgrades over generic parking tags is the hidden number design:

• You can slide to reveal your phone number when you actually need people to reach you.

• When you’re off-duty, you can switch to hide mode and keep your digits mostly out of view.

From the feature list:

• “Hidden number design for privacy”

From the Clean Mount, Quick Hide section:

“Switch to hide mode to reduce exposure of your digits—just note: at some angles, numbers may still be faintly visible.”

Customers have noticed this nuance too:

• “Hidden number window is slick. At some angles a faint digit shows, but you have to be close.” – Isla Morgan

So it’s privacy-conscious, not invisibility magic—ideal for everyday city parking when you don’t want your number screaming from across the lot.

Reusable anti-slip gel: sticky where you want it, not where you don’t

The base uses a reusable anti-slip glue that keeps the plate in place without leaving residue.

• Designed to grip the dashboard without permanent adhesive

• Lifts cleanly so you can reposition or move it between vehicles

• Can be reused, as long as it’s handled with a bit of care

There’s a small but important note in Additional Info:

“Ensure the typewriter parking placard is placed on a flat surface due to the non-full hiding of numbers at specific angles. Avoid high-impact collisions to protect its zinc alloy and ABS structure. The anti-slip glue can be reused, so handle it gently when removing and re-applying.”

In real terms:

• Put it on a flat section of the dash for best grip and best hiding.

• Don’t yank it off like tape; peel it gently to keep the gel in good shape.

Compact Size, Minimalist Presence

Specs from the product page:

• Dimensions: 68 × 57.5 × 32.5 mm

  • ≈ 2.68" × 2.26" × 1.28"

• Weight: 50 g (≈ 0.11 lb)

So it’s:

• Small enough not to dominate your dashboard

• Hefty enough to feel substantial when you pick it up

• Designed to sit comfortably near the windshield or on a flat console panel

One reviewer sums it up perfectly:

“Exactly what I wanted—clean design, quick hide, small and sturdy.” – Kayla Bennett

This is very much for minimalists and “I like things tidy” people.

Who the bbdd Typewriter Parking Number Plate Is Perfect For

City drivers who parallel-park a lot

If they live in a city, they probably:

• Double-park occasionally

• Leave their car in tight neighborhood spots

• Need a way for people to reach them if there’s an issue

This plate lets them:

• Leave a number when needed

• Hide it the rest of the time

• Do it all in a way that still matches the vibe of a well-kept car interior

New car owners & “baby car” people

For anyone who just got:

• Their first car

• Their dream car

• A gently used “this one is actually mine” upgrade

This makes a great small add-on gift:

• Doesn’t conflict with big accessories like mats or tech

• Shows you noticed their taste, not just the fact they drive

• Lands in that sweet spot between practical and design-y

Design and stationery nerds

If they love:

• Typewriters

• Retro industrial design

• Fancy pens & notebooks

A parking plate inspired by a 1969 Olivetti Valentine is deeply on brand.

It’s basically a tiny piece of design history that also keeps their phone number handy.

People who hate ugly car accessories

If they’ve:

• Ignored “cute” dashboard ornaments

• Refused to hang random plastic from the rearview mirror

• Complained about how car accessories look

This is a rare thing they might actually accept—useful, low-profile, and thoughtfully designed.

How It Fits Into a Real Week

Picture a week with the bbdd Typewriter Parking Number Plate:

• Workdays:
  They parallel-park near the office or a café, slide their number into view, and walk away without worrying. End of day, they hide the number and go home.

• Weekends:
  When they park in more public or unfamiliar areas, they decide whether to show or hide the digits based on context.

• Road trips & visits:
  When staying at friends’ apartments or visiting tight neighborhoods, it becomes an easy courtesy: “Here’s my number, call if you need me to move.”

Over time, the plate becomes one of those small rituals:

• Start the car

• Adjust the mirror

• Slide the little “typewriter” window if needed

It’s functional, but it also feels good to use.