Personalised plates are big Down Under

There’s a rare opportunity coming up for Victorian Heritage number plate collectors at Shannons Melbourne Autumn Classic Auction on Monday March 15.

The very desirable black and white numeric number plates 171, 172 and 173 are going under the hammer in consecutive lots, the first time three consecutive numeric plates have gone to auction in Victoria since 1998.

Back then, at the Shannons Melbourne Motor Show Auction, the numbers 14, 15 and 16 sold for an average of $75,000 each.

Today, they could reach prices as high as $400,000 or $500,000 if offered for sale.

Shannons are hoping that 171, 172 and 173 will sell for somewhere in the region of $95,000-$110,000 each.

Bearing in mind that the, numerically less-attractive, New South Wales Heritage plate 241 was sold for $101,000 at Shannons recent Sydney Summer Auction, that estimate could be very low.

Shannons National Auction Manager Christophe Boribon said he would not be at all surprised if the same buyer bought all three plates.

"What a great opportunity to have the status of three consecutive numbers on cars in the one family or business," he said. "I know many people are thinking along these lines and it would be fantastic to keep this family together.

"This is a rare opportunity. These plates are never going to be re-issued. Of all the cars registered in Victoria, only three have the right to display these plates and as their intellectual property can’t be stolen, they are a very secure investment.”"



Reg