AU 1: The Iconic License Plate from Goldfinger's Rolls-Royce Hits the Market for a Whopping £300,000
In the glamorous world of iconic collectibles, one item has emerged, ready to capture the attention of enthusiasts and movie buffs alike: the ‘AU 1’ license plate from the gold-coated Rolls-Royce Phantom III featured in the legendary 1964 film Goldfinger. As Primo Registrations gears up for the sale, the pre-sale estimates have astoundingly valued this piece of Hollywood history at over £300,000.
If you're an avid fan of James Bond, this sale might just make your heart skip a beat. Remember the scenes where Goldfinger's notorious gold-plated car, complete with the ‘AU 1’ license plate, made a striking impression? Now, this piece of cinematic lore is up for grabs, ready to become the prized possession of a lucky collector.
But what’s the fuss all about? Well, ‘AU’ happens to be the elemental symbol for gold on the periodic table. So, this isn't just any license plate—it's a statement piece symbolizing opulence and luxury, much like the precious metal itself.
Peter Johnson, the Managing Director of Primo Registrations, emphasized the plate's significance: “This number plate ranks among the best of iconic plates, primarily due to its association with the infamous car used by Goldfinger and Oddjob to smuggle gold out of the country.”
Interestingly, this isn’t the first time ‘AU 1’ has changed hands. Previously, its sale yielded a substantial return on investment for its owner, and experts anticipate this trend will continue, especially considering the increasing value of shorter plates in the market.
Putting it into perspective, plates featuring two letters and a single digit often command prices ranging from £100,000 to a staggering £500,000. To illustrate the magnitude of such sales, the UK's most expensive plate, ‘25 O,’ fetched a remarkable £518,480 in 2014, finding its home on a Ferrari 250 GTO.
Primo Registrations has clarified that the price will include VAT, along with an additional transfer fee—adding a humorous touch to an otherwise extravagant purchase. The question lingers: Will the final sale price break records, setting a new milestone in this niche market? Or will it eventually adorn the front of a gold-plated Aventador, becoming a symbol of luxury on the streets?
Whether it ends up in a private collection or on the roads adorning a luxury vehicle, the ‘AU 1’ license plate undeniably holds a special place in the hearts of both Bond aficionados and enthusiasts of prestigious collectibles. Its sale not only represents an opportunity to own a piece of cinematic history but also to own a symbol synonymous with sophistication and grandeur—a true testament to the allure of iconic memorabilia.
