Filed under: Latest News
Bonhams/Simon Clay
Things were no different back in 1965 when Beatles singer John Lennon passed his test and quickly purchased a spanking new Ferrari 330GT 2+2 in a fetching Azzuro blue hue.
Apparently, just hours after the news broke that Lennon had torn up his L-plates, the road outside the security gates of his Kenwood home in Weybridge, Surrey, was jammed with Maseratis, Aston Martins, and the Jaguar E-Ttype, as luxury car dealerships - hungry for business - spotted an opportunity to secure a high-profile client.
Lennon strolled out to inspect the cars and settled on the Italian stunner and he went on to enjoy it for three years, covering more than 20,000 miles.
The 330GT 2+2, that the Beatles megastar paid £6,500 for at the time, is now up for sale via a Bonhams auction where it is expected to fetch between £180,000 and £220,000.
It is offered for sale along with an extensive history file documenting its provenance and restoration, which also includes correspondence with the singer.
Sholto Gilbertson, Senior Specialist at the Bonhams Motor Car Department, said: "It is a wonderful commentary on the early excitement generated by 'Beatlemania' that John Lennon didn't even have to leave his house to buy his first car.
"We are delighted to be offering a car associated with such an icon of contemporary popular culture at the first of our Goodwood series of auctions in 2013. Already our Festival of Speed Sale is shaping up to potentially eclipse last year's record-breaking total."