Number Plate Stories

It's all in the name

By Ruby Speechley

The Observer noted back in October 1965 that ‘The name plate is coming more into fashion.’ Looking back, this isn’t all that surprising. The year letter suffix system (ABC 123A) had just been introduced two years before, meaning that there was more scope for people to spell their name, like CEC 1L, GAY 1E and DEB 8Y.

Forty years on and name plates have become one of the most popular choices amongst people seeking a personal number. Most of us are proud of our names, because they are part of our personal history and often derive from our family background. And as many have already discovered, choosing a name plate is a fantastic way of expressing your individuality.

For Peter Grey-Hughes, only a surname plate would do. A first name plate like P3 TER never interested him. “I wanted to find a mark which represented Grey, the first half of my surname - it was my mother’s maiden name and is very important to me.” Peter already has the plate GH 7, but when he found 6 REY, he decided he preferred it. “I’m going to sell GH 7 as I only need one car now,” he said. “It’s the perfect number for Gloria Hunniford, Glen Hoddle or even Geri Halliwell.”

Name plates are popular with celebrities who want to promote themselves. Footballer Emile Heskey couldn’t wait to buy HE51 KEY and Patsy Palmer, formerly Bianca in Eastenders, has P17 TSY. Tony and Cherie Blaire didn’t think they should indulge in 7 ONY and CHE 21E, although they couldn’t resist LEO 10 for their youngest son’s Lamborghini-shaped bed.

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