The Victorian number plate ‘7‘ was the first plate to be issued to a private citizen.
At some point the plate ended up back in the hands of the crown, and in the 1960s was seen on the vehicle of Australia’s 16th Governor General, Lord (Richard) Casey.
Since the late 1970s it has been back with a private owner, which the The Age reported as Duncan Ansell, who also owns the Vic 20 plate.
Images:
Mercedes-Benz AMG SL55 – 2 October 2014 – Heritage Number Plate Spotting
Mercedes-Benz AMG SL55 – 26 April 2013 – Plate Shed
Mercedes-Benz SL – 7 August 2012- Plate Shed
Heritage Number Plate – 7 August 2012- Plate Shed
Mercedes-Benz SL – 25 October 2010 – Plate Shed
Image from a news article showing Vic 7, 20 & 1770 – 16 March 2008 – The Age
Audi – February 2004 – Unique Cars
References
“Make no mistake, Duncan Ansell loves his blue SL55 sports convertible, but it’s the 220 square centimetres of black steel fixed to its front bumper that gets his motor racing. His “Vic 7” number plate, the first privately registered number plate in Victoria, is estimated to be worth at least $1 million — more than three times as much as his Mercedes.”
“Mr Ansell owns VIC 20 as well as VIC 7.”
16 March 2008 – Car buffs’ VICtory may see state lose V-plates – The Age
“No 7 has its place in Victorian plate fame because it was the first plate to be issued to a private citizen. Sometime later, it went back to the Crown and was seen in the 1960s on a car owned by Australia’s Governor General, Lord (Richard) Casey. The present owner, a retired Melbourne industrialist, has had it since the late 1970s and, while really enjoying its historical significance and simplicity on his Audi S2, is also keenly aware of its value as a nest egg.”
February 2004 – Numbers Up! – Unique Cars