Some of Victoria’s most exclusive three, four, five, and six-digit license plate combinations have found new owners following a highly anticipated heritage number plate auction. The event took place on Tuesday night, offering motoring enthusiasts, collectors, and discerning buyers a unique opportunity to acquire a piece of design and motoring history.
There are only 285,000 handcrafted enamel replica heritage plates in Victoria, making them a coveted item among collectors. A Rolls-Royce Phantom, showcasing the Victorian heritage plate 999, was spotted in the auction car park, highlighting the prestige associated with these plates.
Record-Breaking Bids and Global Interest
The auction, held in the grand ballroom of the Park Hyatt in Melbourne, attracted around 500 buyers in person, with additional registered bidders participating online from across Victoria, interstate, and even as far away as Italy, Greece, France, and the United States. This global interest underscores the allure of Victorian heritage plates.
Heritage Only owner and founder, Ramy Attia, noted the intense interest in all 16 lots, with over $3 million bid overall.
“It was a whirlwind of emotions on the night,” he said. “All the plates had reserves, they were matched pretty quickly in the opening bids and on the market shortly after.”
While the exact reserves remain undisclosed, Attia confirmed that all plates achieved close to expected prices.
Fierce Competition Among Bidders
The auction saw fierce competition, particularly for Victorian plate 488, which attracted the highest bid of the evening at $650,000.
“There was fierce competition between three bidders for 488, there was an online bidder and two in-house,” Mr. Attia said. “Coincidentally, [they] were actually sitting next to each other, which added to the theatrics of the night.”
Another notable sale was for plate 899, which fetched $600,000 after a competitive bidding war.
Other significant sales included Victorian heritage plate 16000, which sold for $165,000, and plate 1013, which went for $150,000. These figures highlight the strong demand and willingness of collectors to invest in these historic plates.
Celebrating Victoria’s Motoring Heritage
Giles Thompson, CEO of VicRoads Registration and Licensing Services, expressed satisfaction with the ongoing enthusiasm for the heritage plate range.
“Last night’s auction was a celebration of Victoria’s motoring heritage and the passion it inspires,” Mr. Thompson said. “There was a lot of energy in the room, and the results speak for themselves — these plates are more than registration numbers, they’re timeless pieces of design and history.”
Thompson emphasized the importance of preserving this legacy for future generations, noting the strong interest as a testament to the plates’ enduring appeal.
Investment and Community
Among the successful bidders was Pasan, who purchased plate 100989 for $27,000, marking the lowest purchase price of the evening. Despite being priced out of other bids, Pasan was eager to secure a plate after an unsuccessful attempt in February.
“It’s more about investing over the long term because generally these plates do appreciate over time,” he said. “That was more why I was looking into getting one for myself, as a long-term investment, maybe even to pass it on to the kids one day.”
Pasan plans to display his newly acquired plate on an SUV and looks forward to networking with other heritage plate owners.
“It’s being part of the community, and having access now to sharing that [experience] with other plate owners,” he said. “The networking opportunities that come with this as well, I think that’s quite valuable for the long term.”
As the auction concludes, the excitement and high prices achieved underscore the enduring fascination with Victoria’s motoring past and the investment potential these plates represent. The event not only celebrated the state’s rich automotive history but also highlighted the community and connections formed around these unique pieces of heritage.
