You wouldn't necessarily know it from listening to
his songs, but Sir Elton John has owned some nice cars over the years. And
every once in a while, one of those comes up for auction.
In the summer, for example, we brought you news of
his 1972 Ferrari Daytona heading for the auction block. Before that it was a
Maserati Quattroporte, and before that a Ferrari 512TR. Now his Bentley's
coming up for auction, too.
This 1959 Bentley S1 Continental Sport Saloon is one of just 431 made, with aerodynamic coachwork by H.J. Mulliner. It
was one of the most expensive cars in its day, capable of moving four along in
the lap of luxury at speeds you'd expect of an outright sports car, making it a
true grand tourer.
Chassis number BC1BG went back and forth between the
UK and Gambia, passing between several owners before Elton John bought it in
1976, commissioning a comprehensive restoration that brought it up to
contemporary standards.
Sir Elton kept the Bentley for 25 years before
selling it to business magnate Sir Alan Sugar (now a lord and baron), who in
turn consigned it to Bonhams for auction 10 years ago. Now it will be auctioned
off once again at the same Bond Street Sale where Paul McCartney's Aston Martin
and Ringo Starr's Mini will be sold off as well.
Bonhams estimates it'll go for £ 400,000-500,000, or
about US$ 530-662k at current exchange rates, which is a fair bit more than you
could spend on a new Continental GT - or just about any other Bentley at that.
