The ‘F1’ number plate, the most expensive in the world, was for sale on RegTransfers, a private number plates and car registrations supplier.
UK-based automotive designer Afzal Kahn owns a $20-mn number plate. He tells us how he acquired it a decade ago and why it merits the cost.
People pay a fortune for Formula 1 cars. But a few months ago, UK-based automotive designer Afzal Kahn listed an ‘F1’ number plate for around $20 million.
There is more to a number plate than meets the designer sunglasses-covered eye. The provenance of a number or particular combinations of letters and numbers can fetch astronomical amounts.
The ‘F1’ number plate, the most expensive in the world, was for sale on RegTransfers, a private number plates and car registrations supplier.
Excerpts from an email interview with Kahn.
How does it feel to own the world’s most expensive number plate and why do you wish to sell it?
ADVERTISEMENT
You can’t put a value on something so rare, to be honest, I am rather attached to it. The number plate was first registered in 1904 by Essex County Council and obviously bears the acronym of Formula One, so it is one of a kind. I spent years chasing the number plate and I finally got it in 2008. We did not authorise a third party to list the number plate for us at that price. We usually receive offers directly. However, they (the website on which the number plate was listed) have since removed the price, at our request and we continue to list certain number plates on their website.
How did you come to acquire the number plate? I was looking at buying the number plate for quite a while. When it was made available in 2008, I beat off two other potential buyers to snap up the plate from Essex County Council. The 114-year-old registration was previously on a 30,000 pounds Volvo S80 used by the council chairman. The council sold it to me in 2008 to raise money for a charity, which aims to raise the standards of young drivers.
You are said to have other iconic number plates. What makes you collect them?
ADVERTISEMENT
I have spent a fortune building up one of the most valuable number plate collections in the world. I believe they are a better investment than gold and property these days. I have been in two recessions and everything falls apart other than number plates. They are only issued once and you can only get one of a kind. My first number plate — ‘KHA 17’ — was purchased for 700 pounds. Four years later, I sold it for 6,000 pounds. It was at that moment that my passion for number plates turned from a hobby into a business. Today, I have many number plates in my collection, with the value of each plate varying considerably. From 4 HRH (His Or Her Royal Highness) to 1 CEO, WED 111N, K4 AHN, F1 PET and ROV 3R, the collection is like no other.
Hot Wheels On The Block: Cars Of The Rich And Famous That Were Sold At Auctions
1/6
The flashy wheels of famous owners fetch handsome sums at auctions too. Here's a look.
(Image: BCCL, AP & AFP)
The flashy wheels of famous owners fetch handsome sums at auctions too. Here's a look.
(Image: BCCL, AP & AFP)
SOLD FOR $8,00,000
The car, which is one of only 12 ever made, is among the fastest cars in the world, with a top speed of 270 mph. The Aerosmith front man auctioned the car for a bid of $8,00,000. In fact, he handed over the keys of his prized wheels to the bidder himself and announced that the money would go to charity. Tyler was often seen driving the luxury car from Beverly Hills to Palm Springs. The car boasts of a black leather fi nish and a custom teardrop logo, similar to one of Tyler's tattoos.
(Image: BCCL & YouTube/Hennessey Performance)
SOLD FOR $8,00,000
The car, which is one of only 12 ever made, is among the fastest cars in the world, with a top speed of 270 mph. The Aerosmith front man auctioned the car for a bid of $8,00,000. ..
Read More
SOLD FOR $4,00,000
The flashy blue car had Bielibers running behind it when the star drove around in Hollywood. In January, the Sorry singer auctioned off his luxury automobile for over $4,00,000. He conducted the auction himself, and even threw in free tickets for his US show to the highest bidder. The car was infamous for speeding tickets, paparazzi chases and it even went missing once.
(Image: AFP & Instagram/justinbieber)
SOLD FOR $4,00,000
The flashy blue car had Bielibers running behind it when the star drove around in Hollywood. In January, the Sorry singer auctioned off his luxury automobile for over $4,00,000. H..
Read More
SOLD FOR Rs 2,00,00,000
Early this year, Mallya's white luxury car was sold for approximately Rs 2 crore. With the beleaguered tycoon knee-deep in unpaid debts, his possessions were auctioned by a consortium over a period of time. The auction saw many of his prized wheels go under the hammer, including some which used to be his regular ride for meetings at the Mumbai racecourse.
(Image: BCCL)
SOLD FOR Rs 2,00,00,000
Early this year, Mallya's white luxury car was sold for approximately Rs 2 crore. With the beleaguered tycoon knee-deep in unpaid debts, his possessions were auctioned by a c..
Read More
SOLD FOR $75,000
One of the most photographed cars, pictures of Diana driving her sons, Princes William and Harry, were regular features in the UK media. The car was loaned to Princess Diana by a dealer in 1994, post her divorce from Prince Charles. The car recently sold at an auction for $75,000. The dark green convertible has light beige hide interiors in addition to automatic transmission, an electric hood, a sports steering wheel and a walnut dashboard.
SOLD FOR $75,000
One of the most photographed cars, pictures of Diana driving her sons, Princes William and Harry, were regular features in the UK media. The car was loaned to Princess Diana by a de..
Read More
SOLD FOR $1,59,500
The legendary Lennon's car was featured extensively in the 1972 documentary Imagine. Purchased by the singer in 1971, he customised it by adding two rows of airline seats. The ex-Beatles star chose to specifi cally buy the Austin Princess because the doors opened to a wider angle, allowing for a quick escape from fans. It fetched $1,59,500 at an auction in September last year.
SOLD FOR $1,59,500
The legendary Lennon's car was featured extensively in the 1972 documentary Imagine. Purchased by the singer in 1971, he customised it by adding two rows of airline seats. The ex-..
There are reports that you were offered six million pounds for the number plate, but you turned it down. Why did you not sell for that amount? The offer that I had was by someone who has no relationship with F1. However, it is worth a great deal more and we have since had a higher offer.
Why do you think this number plate is so expensive? It’s every man’s dream to have his perfect car with a number plate like this. The number has looked great on my Bugatti Veyrons and Project Kahn Range Rovers. I am privileged to have acquired such a prestigious plate as there is nothing else like it in the world. Many observers insist it is the most valuable number plate in the world, and I would be inclined to agree.
When you bought the F1 number plate which car did you first put it on? I put it on a Mercedes-Benz McLaren SLR at a track near London, where I was officially presented with the number plate. It was then affixed to one of my Range Rovers and then on many Bugatti Veyrons that I have purchased and sold.
