Where to buy Eric Clapton's Ferrari or Jack Nicholson's Mercedes
Goodwood's motoring events might be famous for the vintage outfits worn by the crowds and thrilling races set against a backdrop of a stately home, but true motor aficionados get more excited about the sale of millions of pounds' worth of historic cars. Partnering with Bonhams Cars, Goodwood kicked off the 2025 season with the 82nd Members' Meeting sale in mid-April. As always there was an eclectic range of vehicles with seemingly something for everyone and many with an interesting backstory.
In terms of sheer 'take your breath away' classic beauty, the 1967 Ferrari 330 GTC Coupé stood out. With fabulous bodywork by Carrozzeria Pininfarina and originally in maroon with beige Connolly leather, its first owner resided in Rome, not a million miles from the factory where it was built. It left its native Italy three years later to be passed between several owners in the USA. This well-travelled car then returned to Italy in the early 2000s before finding its way to the UK in 2011, where it was treated to a £150,000-plus restoration and finished in its current Blu Sera with Grigio leather. This desirable Ferrari sold for £402,000.
There were a couple of options if you were looking for a bit of star provenance in your new old car. An elegant Mercedes 600 from 1972 in Bordeaux Red bodywork with Cognac leather interior was purchased new by the actor Jack Nicholson. This opulent super saloon was state of the art at the time of its build, with air suspension and a mighty 6.3 litre V8 that made it both comfortable and powerful. Nicholson eventually donated the car to the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles before it made its way into private hands in 2022. Selling for £126,500, it was a lot of car for the money.
A sportier celebrity-owned motor was the 1975 Ferrari 365 GT4 BB, first owned by Eric Clapton. A little more showy than the demure Nicholson Mercedes, this red Ferrari sports car was supposedly ordered by Clapton after he saw George Harrison's similar car — seemingly, it was not just Harrison's wife, Patti Boyd, that Clapton cast a covetous eye on. However, he only owned the Prancing Horse thoroughbred for a mere 43 miles before it was involved in an accident. It does, however, have the added attraction of being part of rock music history as a picture of the damaged Ferrari appears on the inside-cover artwork for his 1977 album, Slowhand. The next owner bought the car and repaired it over time, repainting it from its original Argento Auteuil to the more traditional Ferrari red it is now. Over the years parts of the car have apparently spent a good deal of time in the vendor's kitchen, and this may well be true, as the Ferrari has covered less than 15,000 miles in the intervening 50 years. On its introduction the GT4 was the world's fastest and most expensive car, and this vehicle is only one of 58 right-hand drive models built for the UK market. The BB of its title officially stands for Berlinetta Boxer, although folklore in the Pininfarina design house claims that the BB moniker was initially named in honour of Bridget Bardot and the car's beautiful bodywork. Seemingly good value, at only £178,250, this Ferrari with a rock star pedigree should continue to rise in value.
In the race car category, a humble Ford Capri on sale at the auction can claim to have racing royalty as well as actual royalty behind the wheel. This 3.0GXL Group 1 Competition Coupé competed in the 1973 Avon Tour of Great Britain and was driven by Prince Michael of Kent, who finished a respectable 16th. It later took place in a race at the Österreichring driven by none other than the three-time Formula 1 world champion Niki Lauda. Motorsport stardust was further visited on the car when the British motorcycle world champion Barry Sheene raced in it in a celebrity event at Brands Hatch. The £80,500 selling price sounds expensive, but maybe not for a thoroughbred race car with such a distinguished past.
At the cheaper end of the spectrum collectors could scratch their itch for 1990s nostalgia with one of the era's great 'hot hatches' — a 1990 Renault 5 GT Turbo. These cars are rapidly rising in value due to people revisiting the dream cars of their youth, and this one-owner-from-new car did not disappoint at £26,450.
Bonhams also uses the occasion to promote the next sale at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July. Highlights already announced include a one-owner 2007 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Coupé with only 770 kilometres on the clock, which is selling at 'no reserve'. It will undoubtedly go for a fine price, but it is unlikely to reach some of the standout sales of the past, such as Juan Manuel Fangio's Mercedes-Benz W196R Formula 1 car from 1954, which sold for £19.6 million at the festival in 2013.
cars.bonhams.com
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Tatler Asia
a day ago
- Tatler Asia
Every second counts: Richard Mille and Ferrari's latest masterpiece fuses precision with power
The heart of the RM 43-01—its movement—represents horological engineering at its zenith. The manual-winding calibre RM43‑01 integrates a split-seconds chronograph with a tourbillon, one of the most challenging combinations in contemporary watchmaking. Engineered from the ground up over three years in collaboration with Richard Mille's long-time partner Audemars Piguet Le Locle (APLL), the movement achieves a level of precision that matters not just theoretically but in the practical measurement of critical intervals—exactly as required in F1 timing. Exceptionally lightweight yet strong, its intricate architecture rests on a highly skeletonised grade 5 titanium baseplate with bridges produced from both titanium and carbon TPT. This engineering marvel delivers 70 hours of power reserve, indicated at 2 o'clock on a 5N PVD titanium dial. The quality of this energy is visible through a second dial via the torque indicator, with a function selector indicator completing this technical dashboard. The chronograph mechanism employs a column wheel system with vertical coupling, ensuring instant start with zero hesitation when activated—a direct parallel to the launch control systems in Ferrari's racing vehicles. The split-seconds function allows for intermediate timing with precision, crucial in a sport where fractional measurements determine victory or defeat. The off-centre tourbillon escapement with a titanium carriage brings kinetic energy to the watch, enhanced by an innovative active seconds display using five radial blades read against a 12-second index. The tourbillon cage itself weighs mere fractions of a gram despite containing multiple components—an exercise in micro‑engineering that mirrors Ferrari's weight reduction strategies. The material innovation is equally impressive. The baseplate and bridges undergo more than 50 hours of critical machining and finishing operations, achieving tolerances measured in microns—the same exacting standards applied to F1 engine components. Through intensive research and development and computer simulations, APLL developed a new generation of components optimised for power consumption, while delivering more consistent torque levels throughout the power reserve. 'Our work as movement manufacturers is becoming increasingly scientific, which is helping us create components that are even more durable while delivering even better performance,' explains Salvador Arbona, technical director for movements at Richard Mille. The finishing of these components further establishes the Ferrari connection: the metallic finish of the baseplate echoes the industrial precision of sandcast engine components, while microblasted bridges recall the toughened matt surface of Ferrari engine covers. Angular structures with raised ridges, contrasting tonalities, and tiny X-shaped supports, interspersed with golden hexagonal socket-head screws, directly reference patterns and details found on Ferrari engine blocks and crankcases. On the front, the clutch wheel of a V8 engine informs the design of the barrel jewel setting, while dynamic, angular exterior details from models such as the Ferrari 488 Challenge Evo, Daytona SP3, and SF90 Stradale influence elements of the case styling, pushers, and indexes. The skeletonised 30-minute totaliser dominates the dial like a tachometer on a Ferrari dashboard—a dramatic, three‑dimensional lynchpin of the chassis layout.
Tatler Asia
02-05-2025
- Tatler Asia
McLarens, Bugattis and a minivan: The supercars owned by the world's most famous celebrities
Travis Scott's Bugatti Chiron Super Sport Chart-topping rapper, singer, songwriter and record producer Travis Scott has not only dominated music charts but also built an eclectic car collection that mirrors his creative spirit. His garage houses several Ferraris, Lamborghinis, and Mercedes-Maybachs, as well as more accessible models like a Toyota MR-2, Range Rover and a Ford F-150 Raptor. In 2023, his car collection was estimated to be worth around US$13 million. The crown jewel: Bugatti Chiron Super Sport, worth an eye-watering US$5.5 million. With 1,578 horsepower, the hypercar goes from 0 to 200 km/h in just 5.8 seconds and reaches a top speed of 440 km/h. It also makes an appearance in his music video for 'Gatti. In case you missed it: Why the Bugatti Chiron is the real deal Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes-AMG One As a seven-time Formula One world champion, Lewis Hamilton naturally owns a car collection that reflects his unparalleled career on the track. Valued at around US$16 million, his garage includes icons from Ferrari, McLaren and Mercedes—as well as a few classic American muscle cars. Hamilton's long-standing relationship with Mercedes has resulted in a strong affinity for the brand. His lineup includes a Mercedes-AMG GT R, SLS AMG, EQS sedan, and Mercedes-Maybach S600. But the rarest of them all is the Mercedes-AMG One, a hybrid hypercar worth US$2.7 million. With over 1,000 horsepower, the AMG One features a turbocharged 1.6-litre V6 engine paired with four electric motors based on Mercedes' Formula One powertrain. It sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in just 2.9 seconds, with a top speed of 352 km/h. Don't miss: Watch news: Lewis Hamilton in Richard Mile, a turquoise Tudor and more Mark Zuckerberg's Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT Minivan Despite his multi-billionaire status, Mark Zuckerberg's car collection is decidedly lowkey with a few exceptions. In his garage, he keeps a few cars that won't be out of place in a normal person's driveway. His regular cars include a Honda Fit, Ford Bronco, Volkswagen Golf GTI and an Acura TSX. His most expensive car is a $1.4 million Pagani Huayra which he got in 2014. He also has a Porsche 911 GT3 and uses a Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing as a daily driver. These cars are all great but he has another unique and noteworthy vehicle in his collection. What he got for his wife Priscilla Chan is not available in any Porsche dealership. Despite being one of the richest people in the world, Mark Zuckerberg keeps his car collection surprisingly understated. Among the regular rides he has been spotted in are a Honda Fit, a Ford Bronco, a Volkswagen Golf GTI and an Acura TSX. His most expensive car is possibly a US$1.4 million Pagani Huayra, acquired in 2014, and he's also been spotted driving a Porsche 911 GT3 and a Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing. But the most intriguing vehicle is the unique Porsche that he got for his wife, Priscilla Chan, which is not available in Porsche dealership. The custom Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT Minivan built by West Coast Customs was originally a high-performance SUV with a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 producing 650 horsepower, modified with minivan proportions: an extended roofline, electric sliding doors and three rows of seating for up to seven passengers. It's a family car—but make it Silicon Valley.
Times
26-04-2025
- Times
Where to buy Eric Clapton's Ferrari or Jack Nicholson's Mercedes
Goodwood's motoring events might be famous for the vintage outfits worn by the crowds and thrilling races set against a backdrop of a stately home, but true motor aficionados get more excited about the sale of millions of pounds' worth of historic cars. Partnering with Bonhams Cars, Goodwood kicked off the 2025 season with the 82nd Members' Meeting sale in mid-April. As always there was an eclectic range of vehicles with seemingly something for everyone and many with an interesting backstory. In terms of sheer 'take your breath away' classic beauty, the 1967 Ferrari 330 GTC Coupé stood out. With fabulous bodywork by Carrozzeria Pininfarina and originally in maroon with beige Connolly leather, its first owner resided in Rome, not a million miles from the factory where it was built. It left its native Italy three years later to be passed between several owners in the USA. This well-travelled car then returned to Italy in the early 2000s before finding its way to the UK in 2011, where it was treated to a £150,000-plus restoration and finished in its current Blu Sera with Grigio leather. This desirable Ferrari sold for £402,000. There were a couple of options if you were looking for a bit of star provenance in your new old car. An elegant Mercedes 600 from 1972 in Bordeaux Red bodywork with Cognac leather interior was purchased new by the actor Jack Nicholson. This opulent super saloon was state of the art at the time of its build, with air suspension and a mighty 6.3 litre V8 that made it both comfortable and powerful. Nicholson eventually donated the car to the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles before it made its way into private hands in 2022. Selling for £126,500, it was a lot of car for the money. A sportier celebrity-owned motor was the 1975 Ferrari 365 GT4 BB, first owned by Eric Clapton. A little more showy than the demure Nicholson Mercedes, this red Ferrari sports car was supposedly ordered by Clapton after he saw George Harrison's similar car — seemingly, it was not just Harrison's wife, Patti Boyd, that Clapton cast a covetous eye on. However, he only owned the Prancing Horse thoroughbred for a mere 43 miles before it was involved in an accident. It does, however, have the added attraction of being part of rock music history as a picture of the damaged Ferrari appears on the inside-cover artwork for his 1977 album, Slowhand. The next owner bought the car and repaired it over time, repainting it from its original Argento Auteuil to the more traditional Ferrari red it is now. Over the years parts of the car have apparently spent a good deal of time in the vendor's kitchen, and this may well be true, as the Ferrari has covered less than 15,000 miles in the intervening 50 years. On its introduction the GT4 was the world's fastest and most expensive car, and this vehicle is only one of 58 right-hand drive models built for the UK market. The BB of its title officially stands for Berlinetta Boxer, although folklore in the Pininfarina design house claims that the BB moniker was initially named in honour of Bridget Bardot and the car's beautiful bodywork. Seemingly good value, at only £178,250, this Ferrari with a rock star pedigree should continue to rise in value. In the race car category, a humble Ford Capri on sale at the auction can claim to have racing royalty as well as actual royalty behind the wheel. This 3.0GXL Group 1 Competition Coupé competed in the 1973 Avon Tour of Great Britain and was driven by Prince Michael of Kent, who finished a respectable 16th. It later took place in a race at the Österreichring driven by none other than the three-time Formula 1 world champion Niki Lauda. Motorsport stardust was further visited on the car when the British motorcycle world champion Barry Sheene raced in it in a celebrity event at Brands Hatch. The £80,500 selling price sounds expensive, but maybe not for a thoroughbred race car with such a distinguished past. At the cheaper end of the spectrum collectors could scratch their itch for 1990s nostalgia with one of the era's great 'hot hatches' — a 1990 Renault 5 GT Turbo. These cars are rapidly rising in value due to people revisiting the dream cars of their youth, and this one-owner-from-new car did not disappoint at £26,450. Bonhams also uses the occasion to promote the next sale at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July. Highlights already announced include a one-owner 2007 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Coupé with only 770 kilometres on the clock, which is selling at 'no reserve'. It will undoubtedly go for a fine price, but it is unlikely to reach some of the standout sales of the past, such as Juan Manuel Fangio's Mercedes-Benz W196R Formula 1 car from 1954, which sold for £19.6 million at the festival in 2013.
