Diego Maradona’s Porsche 911 is for sale

Legendary wheels

A Porsche 911 delivered new to the late footballing legend Diego Maradona will go under the hammer at Bonhams’ Paris sale on 3 March 2021.

With such a high-profile first owner, it is certain to attract a lot of attention as perhaps one of the ultimate pieces of sporting memorabilia.

Here’s its story.

There is no other

Whether you’re a football fan or not, the name Diego Maradona needs no introduction – he is one of those sports people that are few and far between, whose fame extends far beyond their chosen discipline.

Quite simply, Maradona was one of the 20th century’s sporting greats.

Footballers’ wheels

It is not a new thing for footballers to indulge in the world’s flashiest, fastest and most desirable cars, and Maradona was no different.

Well, when he took delivery of this Porsche on 6 November 1992, he had recently been signed to Seville FC for 750 million pesetas (circa €5m), so it’s fair to say he could afford it.

Limited edition

And, of course, this is Maradona, so this is no ordinary Porsche.

This 1992 Porsche 911 Carrera 2 Type 964 ‘Works Turbo Look’ Cabriolet is one of only 1200 built.

Nothing but the best

These 1200 Porsches were produced in a two-year run, and at the time were the top-of-the-range model.

Again, what else did you expect?

Potent performer

The rear-engined Porsche 964 is powered by a 3.6-litre flat-six, with 247bhp and 229lb ft torque.

This meant a 260kph (162mph) top speed – and this car’s first owner wasn’t afraid of making the most of his Porsche’s performance.

A pretty penny

So, a limited-run Porsche 911 with a really-very-famous first owner…. What do you think this might achieve at auction?

Bonhams’ pre-sale estimate is €150-200,000 (£130-170,000).

The end of an era

This Porsche was delivered to Maradona during his final season of European football.

As we’ve said, the Argentinian had signed for Seville FC.

Keeping fit

He was the team captain and was often spotted driving this 911 to and from training sessions.

So he certainly enjoyed using it – but maybe just a little too much…

In the press

As verified by press clippings that will be sold with this Porsche, while Maradona was driving it, he was stopped by armed police for jumping a red light and speeding.

But then the footballer was known for hitting the headlines for reasons unrelated to his on-pitch activities.

Time to say goodbye

Indeed, that season with Seville has been referred to as a ‘forgotten’ season, Maradona’s parties often claiming more column inches that his team’s results.

He was recalled to play for Argentina and left the club in June 1993.

One of the greats

Of course, he is probably best known for the ‘Hand of God’ goal in a match against England in the quarter finals of the 1986 World Cup – which he and his Argentinian teammates went on to win.

He also was part of teams that enjoyed UEFA Cup victories and, playing for Napoli, claiming two Serie A titles.

Up and down

Unfortunately, Diego Armando Maradona struggled with addiction, weight issues, health problems and more.

From the highs of sporting success also came some devastating lows.

Rest in peace

Maradona passed away on 25 November 2020, at the age of 60, in Argentina.

Only time will tell if his recent death will have an effect on the price his Porsche achieves when it goes under the hammer with Bonhams in Paris on 3 March.

Short but sweet

So although Maradona was this 911’s first owner, he didn’t have it for that long, due to his short tenure at Seville FC.

However, it seems he enjoyed it because he covered 7500km – c4660 miles – in it.

Pastures new

As we said, Maradona left Seville in June 1993.

On 25 September of that year, ownership passed to Majorca-based Anjelica Bartel.

Off to France

According to paperwork in this Porsche’s file, next it was kept in France by a chap called Bruno Hintze of Ville-d’Avray, who took ownership around the year 2000.

About a year later, another Frenchman, Jacques Rouy, had the pleasure of this car, before selling it to Guy Della Casa of Montbard, also in France, in January 2003.

Time to move on

There was then some stability in the car’s life, because Mr Della Casa hung onto it until 2016, when it was sold to today’s vendor.

A few years later, this Porsche is once more looking for a new home – in France or elsewhere.

Raring to go

The good news for any prospective bidders at Bonhams’ Les Grandes Marques du Monde à Paris sale on Wednesday 3 March 2021 is that this one-of-1200 Porsche 911 seems to have been well cared for.

It will be sold with its original guarantee and maintenance booklet in Maradona’s name.

Six stamps

But if you can look past his name, you’ll see that there are six service stamps.

The most recent of these was back in 2004, by JB Racing, at which point the odometer was around the 105,300km mark.

Some TLC

If you’re thinking that service was quite some time ago, you’d be right.

However there’s an invoice stating that the Porsche was professionally repainted in its original colour during the winter of 2016/2017, its rubber seals renewed at the same time.

Stretching its legs

Other invoices on file dated from 2011-2016 prove that it received more care and attention at that time.

It was still being enjoyed, too, the odometer reading rising from 118,753 to 121,493km in that time.

Freshly serviced

Now, in 2021, this Porsche 911 drop-top has completed 122,762km – that’s just over 76,000 miles.

And any potential bidder will surely be relieved to know that, prior to its sale with Bonhams, it has been service by Porsche Centre Bonn.

Maradona magic

This limited-edition Porsche’s next adventure awaits.

But can the trials and tribulations of its famous first owner help chassis number WP0ZZZ96ZNS452830 to hit the big time at auction?

Top 10

It will cross the block at the Bonhams Les Grandes Marques du Monde à Paris sale in the French capital on 3 March 2021.

According to the auction house’s pre-sale estimates, it is the joint-10th priciest car in the catalogue – that other car being a 1951 Jaguar XK120 Drophead Coupé.

A seat at the top table?

Among the cars listed ahead of this Porsche, price-wise, are a 1988 Lancia Delta Integrale Group A rally car, a 1960 Aston Martin DB4 and a Peugeot 402 Darl’mat Special Sport from 1938.

Oh, and a Citroën DS21 IE Décapotable and a Touring-bodied Maserati 3500GT Coupé.

Friends in high places

Maradona’s 911 Carrera 2 is keeping illustrious company, then.

And while those other cars may be predicted to sell for more, none of them have global sporting superstars as former owners, which can, sometimes, make a difference.

It’s nearly time

Who knows what price this matching-numbers 964 will be at when the hammer falls in a few days.

Will it be more or less than its €150-200,000 (£130-170,000) pre-sale estimate?

Waiting for the hammer to fall

Bonhams’ Les Grandes Marques du Monde à Paris sale is on Wednesday 3 March 2021.

Check out the full catalogue here.