The NSW heritage number plate 4 is likely to be most recent single digit NSW plate to change hands.
It was previously confirmed that the plate was owned by John Symond, the founder of Aussie Home Loans.
In February 2016 it was rumoured that the plate had changed ownership, and this was backed up by a photo of the plate on a vehicle which is very different to anything else in Symond’s stable.
According to a 2006 report in the Sydney Morning Herald, Symond acquired the plate from Ivan Holland, who picked up the plates several years prior in an “art swap” with John Schaeffer.
The plate was originally registered in 1910.
‘Aussie John’ also reportedly owns the NSW heritage plates 111, 707, 737 and 747.
Update:
In July 2017 it was announced that NSW 4 would be auctioned by Shannons. The auction will take place in August.
With the recent sales of NSW 29 and 36 for around $750k each, it’s expected that the singe digit 4 should achieve at least double that amount, which will make it easily the most expensive number plate to sell at public auction in Australia.
Photos
Toyota Tundra – 28 July 2016 – Heritage Number Plate Spotting
Toyota Tundra – 23 February 2016 – Heritage Number Plate Spotting
Rolls Royce Phantom Coupe – 4 October 2014 – Heritage Number Plate Spotting
Rolls Royce Phantom – 8 August 2010 – Aussie Exotics
NSW 4 Number Plate – Date Unknown – Alex Holland Classic Cars
The photo above depicting the NSW 4 plate came from the website of Alex Holland Classic Cars. They have a range of NSW heritage plates listed, so it’s quite likely that this fantastic single digit plate was sold via them.
References
“I think 4 has changed hands recently in NSW. I believe it was owned by John Symonds and has been sold to a local guy in my area. It is now on a Toyota yank tank. He also bought 737 from him as well. These are all here say but have seen photos, unless Aussie John bought a ute”
“He was towing his race car with the truck hence why I think it has been sold. I’m sure someone on the site knows him as he is into the nsw racing scene. I’m positive he has a couple of Boeing related plates i.e. 767 as he made his wealth from the aviation business.”
23 February 2016 – Aussie Exotics
“The number plate “4” was obtained by John Symond in March this year (he also ownes plates, “111”, “747”, “737” and “707”)”
28 June 2006 – Rexnet
“John Symond, the mortgage broker soon to reside in Sydney’s biggest harbourside castle, now wants number plate notoriety. Aussie John has recently secured the NSW 4 number plates, obviously not content with his 747, 737 and 707 plates – nicknamed the Boeing family number plates. The 4 plates, which date back to 1910, are on his new Rolls-Royce.
They were bought from the property developer, Ivan Holland, who had got them several years ago in an art swap with John Schaeffer, the contract cleaner. Symond also has the 111 plates, which are on his new Mercedes. With just 1600 numeral-only number plates still on issue, NSW’s number plate egos know few limits.”
11 March 2006 – Money no object for number plate egos – Sydney Morning Herald
“According to The Sydney Morning Herald the previous record for a single-digit NSW number plate was for No.4, for which an unnamed buyer paid $100,000 at auction in 1998.”
16 July 2001 – Record $500,000 for plate No.8 – Drive.com.au