A Ferrari Daytona once belonging to music legend Sir Elton John is going under the hammer at Silverstone Auctions’ sale of Ferraris and Porsches taking place at the Dallas Burston Polo Club in England’s Midlands on September 21. The 365 GTB/4 Daytona was registered new on August 3, 1972, and documentation shows that Sir Elton owned it from ‘73 to ‘75, purchasing the stunning car off the back of the success of his ‘Goodbye Yellow Brick Road’ album. This was a huge breakthrough record for the iconic singer-songwriter and it sold over 30 million copies
The Daytona heading to auction therefore was among the first Ferraris owned by Sir Elton, and he went on to have an enviable car collection including several Ferraris. It also is one of only 158 genuine right-hand-drive UK-supplied Daytonas. It is finished in the Rosso Chiaro color combination, and its interior is in factory-specified Black VM8500 Connolly Vaumol hide, which was re-trimmed in 2017. The car is to be offered at £425,000 to £475,000.
The 365 GTB/4 gained its unofficial ‘Daytona’ name as celebration of Ferrari’s 1-2-3 result in the 1967 Daytona 24-hour race, where the three cars crossed the finishing line side-by-side on Daytona’s famous banking. Even though this car was designed as a road-going grand tourer, it gained success in GT racing as well as in Le Mans’ and Daytona’s 24-hour races.
And as well as being a fabulous Ferrari with star-studded heritage, this Daytona heading to auction also has an excellent history file, with the factory build sheets, order forms, every Ferrari service and receipt, including every MOT certificate to confirm its indicated 82,000 miles. This also is a matching numbers car with known ownership from new. Since Sir Elton owned it, it has been owned by Ferrari Owners’ Club members and one previous owner who had the car for 16 years and maintained it regardless of cost. This car therefore has been kept in wonderful condition.
It will be the second time in recent years that this Daytona will go under the hammer, as it was also sold by Silverstone Auctions two years ago. The purchaser died this year and the car is now being offered by the deceased’s estate.
“We have sold a number of cars that have been owned by Sir Elton John, including a 2014 Bentley Continental GT Speed directly from his personal collection,” said Silverstone Auctions’ classic car specialist Arwel Richards. “Sir Elton John famously has a long affinity with Ferrari, having owned several range-topping V12 models that included a 365 BB, Testarossa and 512 TR over the years. It is believed this Daytona was his first Ferrari, buying it at the age of 26 in 1973 and keeping it until 1975, parked alongside his 1974 Ferrari 365 Berlinetta Boxer.
“The history file is exceptionally detailed and is a testament to the care of the previous owners in collating the car’s file as much as caring for the car’s condition for 47 years. We had the honor of selling the car in 2017 and it was bought by a young collector, Mr Harris, with the car stabled among his 1974 Ferrari 264 Dino, 1991 Ferrari Testarossa and several Porsches. Sadly Mr Harris died this year and we are offering the car on the behalf of his family.”
Images courtesy of Silverstone Auctions
