Australia’s most sought after number plate to fetch $1m at auction

A string of high-profile Aussie celebrities have made serious investments into number plates – now the rarest one is up for grabs.

A rare heritage number plate is expected to take centre stage in a fierce auction battle, with bids predicting to surpass $1 million.

And if history repeats itself, it could be snapped up by one of Australia’s most high-profile people.

Collecting Cars, an online platform specialising in classic, performance and collectable car sales, has announced the auction of one of Australia’s most coveted motoring treasures — the NSW motorcycle number plate “1”.

The motorcycle number plate “1” is expected to surpass $1 million at auction. (Picture: Supplied)

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This rare black-and-white NSW-issued plate is considered the most sought-after motorcycle registration in Australia, making it a prized collectable among enthusiasts.

“This is a rare opportunity to secure a piece of Australia’s motoring history,” Head of Asia-Pacific at Collecting Cars, Lee Hallett said in a statement.

“If you’re a motorcycle lover who appreciates history, number plate ‘1’ is the ultimate accessory.”

The car plate sale announcement comes after a string of high-profile celebrities and elite Australians made serious investments into number plates.

Sydney Confidential reported in 2022 that among them were ex-Sydney Housewives star Nicole Gazal, who opted for 26O – swapping the zero for the letter O. Jake and Lou O’Neil drove a Range Rover Sport with the rego 113, at the time.

Roxy Jacenko's McLaren Artura with the number plate ‘1908’ (Picture: roxyjacenko/Instagram)

The publication said PR star Roxy Jacenko and her husband Oliver Curtis, who now drive a McLaren Artura, have the plates 1908 and a Porsche Taycan with the plates 1903, while wealthy businessman Andrew Banks drove a white Porsche Taycan with the plates 88.

It is also understood Alex Macris once drove a Range Rover with number plates 91, while Aussie Home Loans founder John Symond got behind the wheel of a Rolls-Royce Cullinan with lucrative 111 plates.

Socialite Nora Gazal’s 2017 Range Rover station wagon had the rego 703, while Nicole Gazal’s mother Maud Gazal drove a Black Range Rover station wagon with the number plates 015.

Jake and Lou O’Neil (left), and John Symond with their cars.

Alex Macris (left) and Roxy Jacenko with her former car and its plates.

“The lesser the numbers the more expensive,” one high-profile number plate collector told Sydney Confidential at the time.

“Alex’s number plates, which are 81 and 91, are $2 million-plus. The lesser number of numerals, the richer you are.”

The single-digit plate up for auction has rarely changed hands and has gone on public sale even fewer times.

The plate last appeared publicly for sale in 2018 where it changed hands for a price believed to be within $500,000 and $1 million.

Its history dates back circa 1918, when it was originally owned by a Penny Farthing dealer named Bennett and Wood.

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Its history dates back circa 1918, when it was owned by Bennett and Wood, originally penny-farthing dealers and later became importers of Honda motorcycles into Australia. Picture: numberplates.com.au

That company later become an Australian importer for Honda motorcycles and the plate was then sold to Honda’s general manager in 1935 before being transferred to a Southern Highlands family.

The market for historic plates has grown in the past decade with the oldest, single-digit plates returning the highest return for investors.

The corresponding NSW heritage number plate “1” for cars sold for more than $11.5 million in early 2024, smashing Australia’s previous number plate sale record.

“The Australian market for heritage number plates has emerged as a booming asset class for many collectors,” Mr Hallett said.

Originally published as Australia’s most sought after number plate to fetch $1m at auction