Number plates top $1 million in Shannons Sydney Sale
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Number plates top $1 million in Shannons Sydney Sale

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By Shannons - 05 February 2013

2013 has already proved to be a lucky number for the motoring enthusiasts and collectors who paid more than $1 million for 20 New South Wales Heritage numerical number plates at Shannons February 4 Sydney Summer Classic Auction.

A highlight of the auction was the sale of two special five-digit charity plates – a blue '45678' and a pink '56789' – that together raised $52,000 for prostate cancer research and breast care nursing through the McGrath Foundation, respectively.

The number plates, which were auctioned on behalf of the recently formed Roads and Maritime Services, attracted a bidding frenzy from the enthusiastic crowd of more than 500 in Shannons St.Leonards showroom.

 

The charity plates ‘45678’ (blue) and ‘56789’ (pink) sold with no reserve for $26,000 apiece at Shannons Sydney Summer Auction, with proceeds respectively going to prostate cancer research and breast care nursing through the McGrath Foundation. 

The very desirable pigeon-pair NSW plates ‘206’ and ‘207’, which brought $95,000 and $97,000 respectively, could soon be displayed on the cars of one Sydney family.

The plate ‘210’ sold for $93,000, ‘558’ went for $88,000 and ’884’ went for $84,000.  The top four-digit plate was ‘1314’ which sold for $42,000.

The pink ‘Breast Care Nursing’ charity plate ‘56789’ made $26,000 with no reserve, as did the blue ‘Prostate Cancer’ plate ‘45678’.

It was the first time that the RMS has released number plates for public auction since its formation in November 2010.

The 26 classic cars and motorcycles in the auction, including vehicles from noted Honda and Alfa Romeo collections and a number of Australian ‘Muscle Cars’, also attracted enthusiastic bidding, adding more than $500,000 to the auction’s final tally.

Nine classic Honda motorcycles spanning the years 1965-1988 from a Sydney collection offered with no reserve collectively realised $68,000. The standout sales were a stunning circa 1965 Honda Dream 305cc Twin Cylinder, which sold above its high estimate for $14,500 and a 1980 Honda CBX1000 that brought $10,000.

Four classic Alfa Romeos from the same Sydney collection also sold strongly with no reserve prices, with the highlight being the $17,000 paid for a nicely restored and presented four-door 1971 Giulia 1300 Super Sedan.

The top vehicle result of the auction was the $53,000 paid for a ‘no reserve’ 1964 Mercedes-Benz  ‘Pagoda roof’ 230SL Convertible that had been in the same family for 34 years.

This 1964 Mercedes-Benz  ‘Pagoda roof’ 230SL Convertible that had been in the same family for 34 years produced the top vehicle result of Shannons Sydney Summer Auction, selling with no reserve for $53,000.

Pre-War vehicle and commercial vehicles also did well, with a restored 1936 Ford V8 Light Tray truck selling for $27,000 and a 1928 Talbot 14/45 Doctors Coupe in ‘project’ condition bringing $17,000.

In other notable sales:

• An arresting 1956 International AS-160 Series Fire Truck that was driven to Sydney auction from the NSW Central Coast sold for $13,000

* A restored left hand drive 1941 Cadillac Fleetwood Series 75 Sedan sold for $22,000

• A stunning, show-standard 1955 MG TF 1500 Roadster made $41,000

• A diminutive Fiat 500 Giardiniera sold with no reserve for $22,000

• A trophy-winning 1972 Holden HQ SS Sedan with the sought-after 253-cid V8 and four-speed manual gearbox combination sold for an excellent $29,500.