The V Series

The proposed V series number plate release has caused much hype on the Victorian number plate scene since it's announcement in January 2008. The mere mention of the word 'V Series' is enough to ruffle the feathers of many Heritage Plate owners.

So what's all the fuss about? 

The owners of the low digit Heritage Plates are concerned that this release (the V series) will devalue their heritage plate investments by up to 50%. If you take into account that these enthusiasts own plates worth anywhere up to and over $1,000,000 which form part of their investment portfolios, and most of them own more than one plate, you can understand their reasoning. 

After seeking legal opinion, a small group of passionate investors had their day in the Federal Court of Australia on March 5, 2008 where an Interlocutory Injunction was sought against VicRoads to stop the release of the first 20 plates at auction the following evening.

The Hon. Justice Tracey J  handed down his decision at the end of the day with an Injunction being granted in favour of the applicants. This meant that the planned auction at 9-11 Claremont St, South Yarra on Thursday evening March 6, 2008 could not offer for sale any of the V series number plates. 

The 'Premium Plate Auction' was still held with only 20 Heritage and 20 Signature plates on offer. In handing down the decision, Justice Tracey J agreed that VicRoads had made a deliberate choice to design the V Series plates to make them look remarkably similar to Heritage Plates, and the applicants had raised a serious question to be tried. So the matter now to goes to mediation and dependant on the outcome of that, to trial.

  *Until trial or further order, the respondent (VicRoads) be restrained from offering the V Series number plates for sale. 

The court transcript can be read in its entirety here: http://www.heritageplates/injunction.pdf 

A Fighting Fund has been set up to gain financial support in assisting the applicants to go forward. All donation details will be kept confidential. 

Cheques should be made payable to "Middletons Trust Fund" and posted to:

P.O Box 119 Canterbury, Melbourne 3126

If you wish to speak to the applicants in this case directly, use our contact form which can be found within the EMAIL tab at the top of this page and your details will be passed on.

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