One Thousand Per Cent Mark Up for '1000' Plate

If, as many pundits conclude, we may finally be seeing at least the end of the beginning of economic recovery, there was a clear portent at the latest DVLA auction of personal registrations. In an astonishing show of confidence in the cherished registrations market, the number 1 OOO blatantly ignored its modest reserve of £8000 to close at no less than £80,000 (including fees and taxes).

Although the registration actually comprises a number '1' followed by three capital letter 'O's, most casual observers would read it as the figure '1000'. It is, therefore, fascinating that the price paid should represent almost exactly 1000% of the reserve.

The plate, which is the first of the 'OOO' series to be offered for sale, was snapped up by a mystery bidder from London on the final day of the three day event at The Haycock Hotel in Wansford, Cambridgeshire. The new owner apparently views the purchase as an investment opportunity and is obviously convinced that it is worth even more to the right person on the open market.

DVLA spokesman, Damian Lewis commented, "The year could not have got off to a finer start. We were hoping for big things from 1 OOO and the registration delivered. Roll on the rest of the year which will see other triple O plates coming into the fray."

Of the 1500 plates on offer, 1340 met or exceeded their reserves. Among the other superb examples were 1 LFD, which cost its new owner more than £20k and 1 TEO, a snip at just over £19k.

The next auction will be held at Old Trafford, home of premiership giants, Manchester United FC, from Wednesday 24 March. Given the spectacular result of the 1 OOO sale, all eyes are certain to be on its sibling 2 OOO which features alongside a number of football related plates. They may well, however, all be outshone by the appearance of the elusive 9 O. Earlier numbers in the 'O' series, 1 O to 6 O, were sold for impressive sums at similar events last year.

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