Cashed-up number plate investors and classic vehicle collectors drove combined sales to a record $3.75 million result at Shannons 2007 Sydney Motor Show Auction held at Darling Harbour on Sunday (October 21).

The $2.64 million achieved for the 62 number plates and more than $1.1 million paid for the eclectic mix of Australian and US Muscle Cars and American and European classics on offer was the best result achieved by Shannons in a combined single day sale in the company’s 26 year history of classic auctions.

It was beaten only by the $4.1 achieved in last year’s RTA plate auction at the 2006 Sydney Motor Show.

The highest single sale of the auction was $245,000 paid for ‘the right to display’ the early NSW number plate ‘78’.

However triple digit car plates were also in high demand, with the number ‘228’ selling for $140,000 and ‘883’ bringing $110,000.

The highly anticipated sale of the NSW car plate ‘6’ failed to materialise after the plate was passed in short of its reserve, but Shannons were negotiating with the losing bidder following the auction and were hopeful a sale would result.

There was also enormous interest in the 25 early NSW black and white motorcycle plates on offer – the first major release of motorcycle plates ever made by the RTA.

The iconic No ‘2’ sold for $120,000, but it was immediately eclipsed by the number plate ‘8’, which went for $140,000.

Amongst the 32 special cars on offer, the top price paid was $200,000 for a fully restored Sebring Orange1969 Monaro GTS 350 coupe, while a very low mileage (21,592) 1972 LJ Torana XU-1 finished in ‘Lone O’Ranger’ sold for $143,000. Both were record prices for these vehicles at auction.

An immaculate 1958 Mercedes-Benz 190SL brought $103,000; a magnificent and rare 1929 Hudson Super 6 Dual Cowl Phaeton originally owned by the Wirth circus family sold strongly for $100,000 and a spectacular 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Seville coupe customised by legendary American hot rod builder John D'Agostino, went for $80,000.

Neither of the two Falcon GT-HO models on offer sold during the auction, but Shannons were negotiating with the losing bidder on the 1971 XY GT-HO Phase III following the auction.

Other outstanding vehicle results were the $35,000 achieved by a very original 1953 Spearmint Green ‘50-2106 Coupe Utility, the $34,500 paid for a rare fibreglass1959 Australian-built Ascort sports coupe, $41,000 achieved by a 1929 Austin 7 Wasp sports car and $50,000 paid for a 1973 Ford Escort RS2000 prototype.