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Shannons Plate-Up At Motorclassica


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VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA – October 14, 2010: Number plate collectors and investors will be out in force at the Shannons Collectors’ Auction at Motorclassica on Sunday 24 October, when 28 black and white Victorian Heritage plates go under the hammer almost 100 years after they were first issued.

The plates include two very collectible double-digit, 10 sought-after triple-digit and 10 four-digit numbers, ranging from ‘83’ to ‘9989’.

The plate ‘83’ is expected to bring $210,000-$240,000, while ‘97’ is quoted at $180,000-$210,000. Similar money could snare several very desirable cars in the auction, including a beautiful right hand drive 1967 Shelby Mustang GT500 Fastback fitted with a 428-cubic inch V8 and four-speed manual transmission.

The three-digit plates range from ‘337’ ($50,000-$75,000) to ’919’ ($45,000-$70,000). But the one that might get special attention from Ferrari owners is ‘458’ – perfect to bookend the latest Ferrari 458 Italia supercar!

If you’d like to add a matching classic car, the Ford 302 V8-engined 1999 Cobra Replica Roadster, or fully-restored 1966 Austin-Healey BJ8 3000 Mk III for similar money in the auction would be a good choice.

More affordable four-digit plates range from ‘1003’ to ‘9989’, with Shannons expecting them to sell from $18,000-$26,000 – around the same as the auction’s immaculate 1970 MGB Mk II Roadster.

However the most frenzied bidding could be for the five, five-digit plates and the lone six-digit plate that are all being offered with no reserve.

They include the numerically attractive ’11.555’, ‘20.002’ and ’55.000’, with expected prices ranging from $12,000 -$18,000. Or would you prefer a 1928 Willy-Overland Whippet Tourer for similar money?

Shannons National Auction Manager Christophe Boribon said with the centenary of Victorian Heritage number plates being celebrated in 2011, all the plates in the auction had the potential to increase in value.

“Each of these plates is unique,” he said. “They will never be repeated and as time passes their collectible worth will rise.”

All auction lots will be on display in the Shannons Showroom, 321 Warrigal Road, Cheltenham, before going into the Royal Exhibition Building for Motorclassica from 22-24 October. The auction will be held from 2pm on Sunday, 24 October