One of the most expensive license plates in the world is by the Sicilian Pino Ragona – BlogSicilia

LONDON (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – His restaurant in London, in the heart of Covent Garden, is an institution, an obligatory stop for those who above all love great Italian cuisine. It is Pino Ragona’s Giovannìs, a historic venue frequented by authentic stars such as Kevin Costner, John Goodman, David Hasslehoff, Robert Plant, Brian May, Dolores O’Riordan, Angela Gheorghiu, Al Pacino, John Malkovich, Patty LuPone, Sarah Jessica Parker, Matthew Broderick, Andrea Bocelli, Vittorio Grigolo, Riccardo Cocciante, Michelle Hunziker, Fabio Fazio and Michele Placido, but also austronauts, prime ministers and legends of the past such as Frank Sinatra and Luciano Pavarotti. For a few years, however, the real attraction has been the plaque that faithfully accompanies Ragona’s often sports and large-engined cars. A personalized plate, but not with the owner’s name but with the brand of origin: Italy. “I7ALY’, to be precise, a logo that is a source of pride especially for those who are far from the Bel Paese but still feel their hearts beating fast every time they talk about the country. “This is the most expensive number plate not just in Britain, but probably in the world. They have always offered me a lot of money to have it, even over a million pounds (almost one million two hundred thousand euros, ed.), but I have always said no”, assures Italpress Pino Ragona Conte di Sicilia, one of the most well-known and appreciated in the English capital, he landed in London at the age of seventeen from a small town in Sicily, San Michele di Ganzaria, in the province of Catania. Over time his Giovannìs has become a symbol of ‘made in Italy’ for His Majesty’s subjects and beyond, a meeting place and local flavours. Italy, in fact, which with a ‘priceless’ license plate always leads through the streets of the city that adopted it. “Number plates are private in England, they have between one and seven letters, it’s a sort of fashion. When I saw the plaque with the name of my country, I liked it and I bought it at auction – continues Ragona, descendant of an aristocratic family – It’s an investment, of course, but above all a pride. It is like the flag of an embassy, ​​it is the symbol of ‘made in Italy’ which represents a brand in the world. It’s history, it’s culture, and for me, coming from a small town in Sicily, it’s an immense pride to own it.” On the streets of London, he reveals, there is a succession of photos, appreciations and curious questions about this very special plaque which, on display in front of his restaurant, also has the ability to attract customers looking for tasty and refined dishes. Deprive yourself of it? Never say never. Because when faced with an unmissable offer, precisely, you can’t say no. “Let’s do it this way: if they offered me three million pounds for my license plate, I would start to think about it…”. Because Italy is first and foremost in the hearts of those who truly love it.
– Photo Italpress/Ragona –
(ITALPRESS).