Here is the brief History of the highly sought after and valuable registration.

1903   The Motor Car Act became law and required all cars to be registered. A 1 was allocated to Earl Russell, Under Secretary for Air, after queuing all night.

1906   The Chairman of the London County Council acquired the car, a Napier, and the Registration.

1906   The Chairman of the London County Council acquired the car, a Napier, and the Registration.

1907    The car and the number were sold to Mr. George Petty, Head of the Maudes Group Motor Business. A 1 was transferred to each of his successive cars, including an Alfa Romeo, MG, Morris Isis, Daimler, Singer, Jaguar and the last, a Sunbeam Talbot 90.

1950   George Petty died bequeathing the Sunbeam Talbot and “A 1” to Mr. Trevor Laker. A condition of the bequest was that he uses the number until his demise and then it should be sold and the proceeds b donated to a dogs’ charity.  Trevor Laker sold the number, with an agreement that he retained its use until his death or inability to drive. The £2,500 realized from the sale went to the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association.

1970   On the death of Trevor Laker the ownership and rights to “A 1” passed to Dunlop Limited. Initially “A 1” was on a Daimler Limousine used to transport important visitors to the Dunlop Factories. It was later transferred to the tyre division and formed part of the extensive promotions for the Dunlop runflat tyre.

1975   Following a brief period on an Executive Mini used by the Director of Engineering, “A 1” was returned to the Tyre Division for promotional purposes.

1985   Ownership of “A 1” passed to BTR PLC, following the acquisition of Dunlop. At this date is was on a Ford Granada, based at BTR’s Head Office in Birmingham. The international BTR Group is one of the United Kingdom’s largest and most successful companies, with interests in the construction, energy, electrical, manufacturing, transport, paper, health care and consumer industries. Sales of £4500 million a year are generated by over 700 subsidiaries, employing some 80000 people around the world.

1985   Ownership of “A 1” passed to BTR PLC, following the acquisition of Dunlop. At this date is was on a Ford Granada, based at BTR’s Head Office in Birmingham. The international BTR Group is one of the United Kingdom’s largest and most successful companies, with interests in the construction, energy, electrical, manufacturing, transport, paper, health care and consumer industries. Sales of £4500 million a year are generated by over 700 subsidiaries, employing some 80000 people around the world.

1985   Ownership of “A 1” passed to BTR PLC, following the acquisition of Dunlop. At this date is was on a Ford Granada, based at BTR’s Head Office in Birmingham. The international BTR Group is one of the United Kingdom’s largest and most successful companies, with interests in the construction, energy, electrical, manufacturing, transport, paper, health care and consumer industries. Sales of £4500 million a year are generated by over 700 subsidiaries, employing some 80000 people around the world.

2000    The late Roy Palmer of Insignia Registrations sold A 1 and 1 A to Prince Jeffry of Brunei (The Sultan of Brunei's controversial brother). Both numbers were transferred to identical white Bentley Azures ready to collect the Prince and his entourage from their private jet.  It is very doubtful if these registrations will ever be available to buy again....