$1m for a number plate: 14 of South Australia’s insanely expensive number plates
South Aussies are forking out up to $1m on custom number plates as they’re dubbed one of the hottest investments of 2023. These are the most expensive and unique on the market.
Lifestyle
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Back in the day, investing in a car meant snatching up an exclusive vehicle or forking out the big bucks on fancy rims or a premium interior.
But now car owners are spending millions for custom number plates – deemed a long-term investment worthy of the price tag by many collectors.
South Australia plates are selling for as much as $1m with some of the most hard-to-find expected to attract dollar signs as a popular auction return.
SCROLL DOWN TO BROWSE SA’S MOST EXPENSIVE PLATES
Sam Chhabria, 48, started his $200k collection of 11 number plates 17 years ago – purchasing a six-digit plate for $750 which now valued at $15k.
“It’s like my signature on my car. I have numbers that mean something to me, some are birthdays and some are lucky numbers,” Mr Chhabria said.
“It’s a great investment. If you spend 20 or 30k on something, you have to insure it … but if someone steals my plate, they can’t use it.”
The Rose Park collector is prepared to bid up to $50k when SA historic plates go under the hammer in an online auction for the first time in six years from Saturday until early April.
Transport and Infrastructure Minister Tom Koutsantonis said highly sought after, century-old plates, no longer in general circulation would be up for grabs.
“We expect the competition to own a slice of SA’s motoring history will be intense when bidding opens,” Mr Koutsantonis said.
“Some numbers being made available are nearly 120 years old, so there is plenty of history behind them.”
Historic Plates auctioneer Stewart Kay said bids had previously reached up to $1m.
Mr Kay said four to six digits, which were originally assigned to SA vehicles between 1906 to 1966 before they were phased out by modern plates, were the most popular.
Eighty plates including 1558, 7373, 9991, 9899 and 118-811 are expected to attract hefty price tags.
On Australia’s largest number plate marketplace, Mr Plates, asking prices hit six digits with lists “C” and “MILLION” listed for $1m.
While, single character plates have been dubbed an unofficial symbolism for wealth or status those looking for something uniquely South Australian can sport “REDTIN” for a much cheaper $1.2k.
Ahead, we look at the top 12 most expensive unique licence plates up for sale via Mr Plates and the Historic Plates auction.
ASKING PRICE: $1 million
ASKING PRICE: $999,000
ASKING PRICE: $998,000
ASKING PRICE: $990,000
ASKING PRICE: $145,000
ASKING PRICE: 100,000
ESTIMATED PRICE: $60,000 – $80,000
ASKING PRICE: $55,000
ASKING PRICE: $50,000
ESTIMATE PRICE: $15,000 – $20,000
ASKING PRICE: $3000
ASKING PRICE: $1200
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