An exclusive collector’s item has gone under the hammer, as historic South Australian number plate, No. 8, sold for an astonishing $2.3 million.
Bidding started at $600,000 and took just days for the bids from passionate car enthusiasts and number plate collectors to skyrocket and set a new auction record for South Australia.
The previous record was set in 2020 when the bespoke ‘1’ plate commemorating the Adelaide Grand Prix nabbed $593,000 at auction.
The No. 8 plate is one of South Australia’s most iconic and rare. The plate was one of the first issued in the state in 1906 and will be the first single-digit plate sold on behalf of the State Government since 1985.
These days plates like this are as desirable as art, vintage watches or fine jewellery, and can be used as the ultimate status symbol. Their sleek look is instantly recognisable and perfectly complements any car, new or vintage.
“A special number plate is like a pair of Louboutin shoes or a Hermes Birkin bag. There’s a certain amount of prestige to them. If you could pick any number you’d pick No. 1, and if you couldn’t have No. 1 you’d have No. 8” says Historic Plates auctioneer, Stewart Kay.
“But there’s three things. They look fabulous on the right car, they have a certain amount of prestige, and finally, they’ve been great assets and investments to own as well.”
The No. 8 plate is particularly special due to the number’s association with luck, being considered the luckiest in Chinese culture, and representation of strength, victory and prosperity.
“For certain cultures, this is a very lucky number. Not only will it appeal as a single digit number plate, but it also has connotations of wealth and prosperity.”
This specific number plate also has a rich history in the state.
“We’ve always had a car culture in Adelaide, not only with the Formula 1 Grand Prix but going back to the earliest of days. We had car races and wealthy people who had expensive and valuable cars and the number plates are just an extension of that.
“Historically this number was originally owned by the Ayers family. They were a very wealthy Adelaide business family who invested in copper mines and made the equivalent of millions and millions. I’m sure No. 8 will be bought by another leading Adelaide businessman,” Stewart shares.
Joining the No. 8 at auction was a lineup of other highly sought-after genuine numeric plates.
“We’ve got another number plate for auction, 757, which is a nice lucky number. That’ll sell for somewhere between $110,000 and $150,000. That number was $1500 when the owner bought it in 1989, so that’s been a superb investment.”
A total of 28 plates were up for grabs including numbers 46000, 111444, 5566 and 249, with the total of $4,014,073 raised showcasing the high demand and interest South Australians have in genuine numeric plates.
All owners of the plates will be entitled to long-term rights to the plates, meaning plates can be transferred amongst vehicles registered in the same name and sold to a third party.
“Unlike a house or a car where you need to check the engine or the guttering, or the paint, there’s a piece of paper that says you own it. Importantly you can on-sell it to another buyer in the future. They become like heirlooms for lots of families.”
The online auction was run by third-party auctioneer Slattery Auctions and Valuations.
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