Vintage number plates to be auctioned

Wednesday, 22 March 2023

South Australians will have the opportunity to bid on 80 numeric number plates in the first auction of its kind in six years.

The exclusive plates – featuring highly sought-after four, five and six-digit numbers – were originally assigned to South Australian vehicles between 1906 and 1966. They were gradually phased out and replaced with the general-issue plates in use today.

The online auction will open to the public from 12pm on Saturday, 25 March 2023, and close at 7pm on Tuesday, 11 April 2023.

Ten plates that will be made available for auction are being announced today with the remaining 70 to be unveiled at the start of the auction.

The plates announced today are: 1558, 7373, 8848, 9001, 9899, 9991, 22-228, 33-788, 88-383 and 118-811.

All the numeric number plates will be auctioned with 'class-specific' rights, allowing them to be displayed on a registered vehicle, transferred to another vehicle under the same owner's name, or have the rights transferred to another individual through a private sale or gift.

Independent auctioneer Stewart Kay from Historic Plates has been appointed to oversee the online auction.

Interested bidders – who must be a permanent South Australian resident to participate - are able to pre-register online via www.historicplates.com.au.

Bids can be placed via a downloadable app using either a PC, tablet or smartphone.

Revenue raised from the auction will be returned to the Department for Infrastructure and Transport to fund services for South Australians.