Personalised number plates or vanity plates are, perhaps, the ultimate symbol of opulence. Why settle for a number when you can pay thousands – if not millions – of dollars to put your own message in its place? And in a city where flaunting your wealth is the norm, it’s no surprise that personalised plates are in abundance. We’ve taken some of the city’s most bizarre, funny and tasteless creations and ranked them for your viewing pleasure.
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Image courtesy of StrippedPixel.com[/caption]
10. TAXI
Taxi drivers don’t make much money in Hong Kong, but the Taxi owners can make a nice profit. This notable plate could be considered shrewd marketing or money that could go elsewhere. We’ll let you decide.
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Image courtesy of funpeer.com[/caption]
9. LOL
This abbreviation of Laugh Out Loud, used in online conversation, has become so common that it has even invaded regular speech. So although at one point this plate could have been seen as edgy, today it just looks a bit ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
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Image courtesy of J3 Private Tours[/caption]
8. PUMPKIN
This one is just a little bizarre. Maybe it’s the owner’s business. Or, perhaps more likely, a cute name that they are called by their significant other. When it comes to sharing on number plates though, less is more.
As it turns out, there is a touching story behind this number plate, which explains the name. And as big supporters of Mother's Choice, no offence is meant in including this.
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Image courtesy of hongwrong.com[/caption]
7. POTATO
Sticking with vegetables, Potato is almost as bizarre a choice. Most people love a good spud, but we’re not sure you really need to shout about it. Maybe they own a potato factory? Or love the work of
Keith Lemon?
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Image courtesy of ansett2000.blogspot.com[/caption]
6. I AM LATE
We’ve seen this plate on the streets of Hong Kong quite a bit and the message is quite funny. But when it comes to excuses for bad or fast driving, we prefer a ‘baby on board’ sticker in the window.
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Image courtesy of StrippedPixel.com[/caption]
5. BABE MAG
Presumably meant to stand for ‘babe magnet’, or at least we hope so, as magazine would be far worse. Yes, the new Beatles are nice cars, but adding that number plate is killing its cool. You might as well write obnoxious on the bonnet.
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Image courtesy of Hong Kong Vanity Plates[/caption]
4. JEDI
We like
Star Wars as much as the next sci-fi fan, but we can’t imagine even Yoda would be seen picking up his shopping in a Volvo. Sensible and safe, yes. Space age, hyper-galactic cool? It’s hardly the Millennium Falcon.
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Image courtesy of Notable Names[/caption]
3. U WISH
Ferraris remain one of the most stylish motors on our streets, and there is believed to be over 1,000 on Hong Kong Island alone. There’s no doubt that the majority of us who can’t afford one of these Italian supercars do desire them, but this number plate is another unhelpful middle finger from the city’s millionaires.
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Image courtesy of Whimsical Weltschmerz[/caption]
2. BANKER
Keeping on the same theme, the city’s bankers often get a bad name for their opulence and arrogance. And this number plate isn’t helping. Again, maybe we’re overreacting. Maybe this driver just likes playing the banker in Monopoly. Maybe replacing the B with a W is more an accurate reflection of the owner.
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Image courtesy of @make_trouble on Twitter[/caption]
1. BREXIT
With the UK in disarray and forecasts of recession looming as a result of the vote to leave the European Union, a Brexit number plate on an expensive Aston Martin is insensitive to say the least. Everyone is entitled to a point of view, but we very much hope that this gloating doesn’t come back to bite this owner… or do we?
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