All single digit Q plates are special, but after Q1, the second most desirable plate would likely be Q8.
Q8 was purchased at the original Great Qld Plate Auction for $12,500 in 1985.
More recently, in 2013, it was sold at the Great Qld Plate Auction III for $220,000. This was well below estimates of around $500,000 prior to the auction, but still a healthy return on the original 1985 purchase price.
Interestingly the plate was also offered at the Great Qld Plate Auction II in 2012, but was passed in at $300,000.
There is some debate about whether or not the $300,000 bid was genuine. I was in attendance at this auction, and I must say that the bidding was a little strange.
The Q8 number plate was originally registered in 1921 to a Hudson owned by David P. Smith of Lower Brunswick Street, Brisbane.
Images:
Lexus GS430 – 23 December 2014 – Heritage Number Plate Spotting
Lexus GS430 – 24 June 2014 – Heritage Number Plate Spotting
Lamborghini Aventador – 14 November 2013 – The Great Qld Plate Auction
Mercedes-Benz – 11 November 2013 – Cars Guide
Q8 number plate – 20 May 2012 – Courier Mail
References:
“I can’t remember for sure, but I thought the May 2012 high bid was a vendor bid.”
15 November 2014 – Aussie Exotics
“The first Australian single-digit number plate to go to auction since 2007 is expected to draw big interest from Chinese investors. The Q8 plate is estimated to go for up to $500,000 when it hits the block in Brisbane on November 14.”
11 November 2014 – Record price tipped for car number plate – Cars Guide
“This Q8 licence plate may have only a single number, but it’s expected to have a price tag of six figures.
The rare plate will be on the market for the first time in 25 years at The Great Queensland Plate Auction 2 next weekend and is expected to fetch $500,000.”
20 May 2012 – Big money on a plate – Courier Mail
If you have more information or photos of Q8 (especially out on the road) we’d love to hear from you!