NRS-10643 | Records relating to "The Great Plate Auction"

Full description

The Department of Motor Transport held an auction of a limited number of early motor car number plates at the Sydney Entertainment Centre on 22 November 1983. The auction was the first of its kind in Australia, and only the second held in the world. Six thousand people attended the auction. The plates sold grossed $1,418,600.

Number plates were first issued in New South Wales when the registration of vehicles became compulsory in January 1910. The original series of black and white plates held the numbers 1 to 273978. This was superseded in 1937 by a two letter, three numeral series, retaining the original black and white format. In 1951 the current yellow and black three letter, three numeral series was introduced, and during this decade the Department recalled the original numerical only plates.

Two schemes have since been introduced to allow members of the public the right to display unique number plates, on payment of a special levy. The first was the personalized plate scheme, which began in 1969. Departmental statistics show that one in ten cars now carries personalized plates. The custom-made plate scheme began in 1980. 2,400 custom-made plates have since been issued.

The one hundred lots offered were divided into three groups, entitled Historic, Distinctive and Memento plates. Six categories of plates were identified within the three groups for the purpose of a sliding scale of transfer fees, ranging from $5,000 to $50. The plates offered were made of vitreous enamelled steel, and were accompanied by a miniature plate in the same format. In addition, for the first time, numeral only plates could be legally advertised and traded.

The records include sale catalogues (2), pamphlets (4), press information kits (2), copies of letters written to dealers and owners advising them of the auction, invitations with envelopes (2), and a list of prices paid for individual plates. The Department has correspondence relating to the auction in its general correspondence series.

(11/14307.1). 1 bundle.

Note:

This description is extracted from Concise Guide to the State Archives of New South Wales, 3rd Edition 2000.