IT’S A TREND WE SIMPLY cannot understand, but it seems people are more than willing to throw vast amounts of money at things with nothing more than inherent (or presumed) value. Most obvious example is the huge sums generated by number plates.
Now we all know we have to wear them on our cars, but these days, it seems the number plate can be worth more than the car itself.
Collecting Cars has delivered a multi-million-dollar result at its first Australian heritage number plate auction.
The leading global online platform for the sale of classic, performance and collectible cars concluded its first catalogued heritage number plate sale in Australia last week, generating more than AUD $3.1 million in sales.
Headlining the results was the NSW-issued plate with the number ‘54’ which sold for AUD $1.3 million.
Other highlights included several three-digit NSW-issued heritage number plates, such as ‘563’ (AUD $251,000) and ‘429’ (AUD $244,444).
A variety of other heritage plates from other Australian states also achieved significant prices, including VIC-issued ‘9-696’, which closed at AUD $290,000.
“The market for Australian heritage number plates remains strong,” said Lee Hallett, Head of Asia-Pacific at Collecting Cars. Securing AUD $1.3 million for ‘54’ indicates the demand for highly prestigious two-digit heritage plates. Even speciality plates, such as the ‘1788’ Bicentenary number plates from Victoria which sold for AUD $98,000, show Australia’s heritage plate-buying audience is large and out to buy.”
We would suggest, if you have more money than sense, the next Collecting Cars Heritage Number Plate Auction in Australia will begin 27 August 2024.