Imagine you’ve released a hit album and raked in the big bucks. What would be the first thing you’d do with the proceeds?
If you answered “buy a Ferrari,” you’re not alone. In fact that’s just what Elton John did when Goodbye Yellow Brick Road reached the top of the charts, or so the story goes, picking up the keys to this 1972 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona that, four and a half decades later, is going up for auction.
Though Ferrari made nearly 1,300 Daytonas over the course of six years, only 158 of them were originally set up in right-hand drive. Sir Elton’s was one of them, decked out in classic red over black. He owned the car from 1973 (when his aforementioned seventh studio album hit the shelves) through 1975, and in the years since it has been traded between members of the Ferrari Owners’ Club – including one who held on to it for 16 years.
“We’re delighted to be offering this very special Ferrari Daytona with pure rock and roll history in our Silverstone Classic Sale,” said auctioneer Will Smith. “The Daytona was billed as the fastest road car in the world in its day, faster than the Lamborghini Miura released two years earlier! The car presents in exceptional condition having been very well maintained by its previous owners, including Sir Elton John, adding extra appeal and distinction to this rare and collectible classic car.”
Now with 81,675 miles on the clock, the auction house anticipates the Daytona will sell for about £550,000 – over $700k at current exchange rates – when the gavel drops at the end of this month.
Photos by Tim Scott of Fluid Images for Silverstone Auctions
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