Elton John’s Ferrari is for sale – again

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Any Ferrari 365GTB/4 ‘Daytona’ is a special car, but this example’s first owner was none other than Elton John.

It’s set to go under the hammer with Silverstone Auctions at its 5 June event, which is an all-Ferrari sale, to be held in association with the Ferrari Owners’ Club of Great Britain as part of the National Ferrari Owners’ Day celebration at Sywell Park.

Fingers crossed, a marque-specific audience will help it find the long-term home it deserves. Why do we say that? Read on…

Sound familiar?

We last encountered this car in 2019, when it was consigned to Silverstone Auctions’ 21 September sale.

Again, this was a Ferrari-only auction, the Daytona one of 34 Prancing Horses to cross the block that day, this one with a pre-sale estimate of £425-475,000.

Third time lucky?

And that’s not all. We’re going to sound like we’re repeating ourselves, but before that, this car was sold at Silverstone Auctions’ 27-30 July 2017 sale at that year’s Silverstone Classic race meeting, this time with a pre-sale guide price of £525-575,000.

Incidentally, a 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280SE once owned by singer Lulu was also consigned to that sale.

It might have changed hands a lot recently, then, but before that this Ferrari was with the same loving keeper for 16 years, who maintained it regardless of cost – here’s hoping it finds another one of those come the 5 June 2021 sale.

On top of the world

The Daytona was the follow-up to Ferrari’s 275GTB, but it was not the expected mid-engined wonder. Instead, the 365GTB/4 was a classic front-engined transaxle Ferrari.

And at launch, the Daytona was the fastest road car in the world.

Smooth operator

The 365GTB/4’s svelte lines were penned by Leonardo Fioravanti at Pininfarina.

The model made its debut at the Paris Auto Salon of 1968.

Star struck

Five years later, in 1973, Elton John bought this car, reportedly using the proceeds of his seventh studio album Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.

It is one of only 158 built by the factory in right-hand-drive configuration, and it was supplied new to Maranello Concessionaires Ltd in 1972.

All present and correct

Today, this car now boasts Ferrari Classiche certification.

This proves that it left the factory finished in this stunning shade called Rosso Chiro, with a Nero interior, grey carpets, and with the chassis, engine and gearbox still fitted now.

Ready for more

At its 2019 consignment this car’s mileage was said to be around 82,000, 81,675 miles the figure quoted when it crossed the block in 2017.

Today the odometer reads 82,038 miles.

It may not have been driven much in recent times, but in its life it has been enjoyed. However it has been lavishly cared for, meaning it should have many more miles in it.

The best seat in the house

Yes, that’s right Elton John has sat here. Not many classic cars have that claim to fame.

This was one of the first of many Ferraris owned by the world-famous singer-songwriter – indeed, it shared garage space with his 1974 365 Berlinetta Boxer.

The circle of life

Elton John enjoyed this car’s 4.4-litre, 352bhp, quad-cam V12 for two years, selling it in 1975.

Any prospective bidder will be pleased to know that this Daytona’s full ownership history is known, and that it’s dominated by Ferrari Owners’ Club members – true enthusiasts, then, and it appears that they’ve not let this car down.

Backstory

At this car’s 2017 sale, it was bought by a gentleman called James Harris and it joined other cars in his collection which included a 1991 Ferrari Testarossa.

Sadly, he passed away, which is why the Daytona was sold again so soon, in 2019.

Plenty of paperwork

This car’s winning bidder will also get a heap of paperwork.

Described by the auction house as ‘two large and detailed history files’, these contain copies of the DVLA records proving Elton John’s ownership, with everything right up to the present day, including MoT certificates back to 1977.

Good to go

In 2017, the interior was retrimmed in the factory-spec black Connolly leather, correct down to the punched, holed inserts.

Today it is described as looking ‘lovely’ with leather that has ‘settled in a little’.

Art in motion

Chassis number 15977’s Pininfarina-designed, Scaglietti-built body definitely appears to have stood the test of time well.

The panel fit and door shuts were described as ‘exceptional’ in its listing in Silverstone Auctions’ catalogue back in 2019 and, as you can see, the paintwork still looks lusciously glossy.

Pop-ups for a popstar

Now not all Ferrari 365GTB/4s have pop-up headlamps like this.

When the model was launched, the cars had fixed lights behind clear covers. However, these were no longer legal in the crucial US market from 1971. This pair of two-lamp pop-ups was the solution.

Top of the charts

As well as being the world’s fastest road car when launched, the 365GTB/4 was also the most expensive production Ferrari to date.

A fitting choice for a global singing sensation, then.

Boot space

It might come as a surprise to you, but the 365GTB/4’s front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout means it actually has a pretty decent boot back there.

There’s certainly enough space for a weekend getaway, that’s for sure, even if you’re not famed for travelling light.

The heart of the matter

Of course, Ferrari’s Colombo V12 is the heart of this classic, which gives it a memorable soundtrack.

Silverstone Auctions reports that: ‘on test the car fired into life with ease and, although only driven a short distance for the photoshoot, performed rather well.’

Hit after hit

The 365GTB/4 would become the most commercially successful of Ferrari’s V12 two-seaters with 1285 built, plus 123 Spiders.

With a top speed in excess of 170mph, its 180mph speedometer is pushed close to its limit. But its maker ensured that with big dials and a thick-rimmed steering wheel, the driver has all the information he or she needs.

The pace to please

A 5.4-second 0-60mph time underlines the fact that this is no slouch – and remember that is for a car that first went on sale in 1969, 52 years ago.

A performance car, then, but it was never built to go racing, despite today having a decent competition history.

The name game

And, of course, the 365GTB/4 has motorsport to thank for its ‘Daytona’ nickname.

Ferrari scored a 1-2-3 finish at the 24 Hours of Daytona in 1967, led by Lorenzo Bandini and Chris Amon in a 330 P3/P4 (P3 chassis and P4 engine), the 365GTB/4’s nickname apparently a tribute to this victory on rival Ford’s home turf.

Driving impressions

It may be a little hefty to drive, but the Ferrari has strong brakes and a good ride.

C&SC’s very own Martin Buckley has described the Daytona as ‘a car that wants to look after you’, thanks to its 50:50 balance.

Just right

And while the 365GTB/4 might sit high on its Michelin XWX tyres, its beautifully blended curves and strong, sensual lines can’t fail to appeal.

It is large enough to give it road presence, yet compact enough, as our Buckley says, ‘to mean driving it is a very personal experience’.

Is three the magic number?

Let’s hope it is third time lucky for this fetching Ferrari, then.

First owned by Elton John and subsequently cared for by a succession of thoughtful custodians, it will go under the hammer with Silverstone Auctions on Saturday 5 June 2021 – at the time of writing, its estimate had not been published.

Check out the full catalogue for that sale here.