Elton’s luxury cars for auction go on display
Twenty luxury classic cars being auctioned by Elton John were put on display by Christie’s today.
The pop star, who is facing a £8m legal bill after losing a High Court action against his former accountants, expects to raise more than £1m from the sale.
But Elton, who is keeping eight of his collection at garages at his home near Windsor, Berkshire, denies he is selling his fleet to meet his costs.
Elton explained in an interview through the auction house why he was selling the cars, which include an Aston Martin V8, Rolls-Royce Phantom VI, six Bentleys, three Ferraris and a Corniche convertible.
He said: "I’m away so much and they don’t get driven. I’d rather people had pleasure out of them.
"It’s a collection that I’ve really loved collecting and it’s hard ... I’m sad about it going, but you have to cut ties loose."
The estimated top sale price for his most expensive car, the 1993 Jaguar XJ220, is £160,000, which has a top speed of 213mph.
It only has 852 miles on the clock.
Carey Wallace, Christie’s rock and pop specialist, told a preview at Stoke Park Club, Stoke Poges, how Sir Elton had been collecting since his career took off thirty years ago.
Ms Wallace added: "They have all been beautifully kept and maintained. They’ve been cossetted and most have low mileages."
The former Watford Football Club chairman’s 1978 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Coupe, estimated sale price £20,000 - £30,000, used to be painted in team colours, yellow with black and red stripes.
Ms Wallace said: "He calls it the 'beast' because it roars like a beast. Prince Philip told Elton once 'Oh, its you that owns that ghastly car'.
"He had seen it driving to Windsor Castle from Datchet."
Ms Wallace insisted that Elton made the decision to sell the cars before his costly High Court hearing and that it was unconnected with his legal costs.
They have all been kept in heated garages by his fleet manager and all are maintained so they are all ready to driven at their owner’s whim.
Elton, 54, has driven all the cars, but is often driven by his chauffeur because it was "safer" when he was listening to music.
He loves blasting music out as loud as possible on his car stereo systems, said Ms Wallace, even sitting in a parked car at home with guests just to listen to music.
His 1973 Rolls-Royce Phantom VI was fitted with a £28,000 36-speaker stereo system which blew the rear window out because it was so loud - the glass had to be reinforced.
A Ferrari Testarossa was given to the singer for his 40th birthday from his record company in the United States.
The sale of the biggest ever collection of a celebrity’s cars is due to be held in at Christie’s in London on June 5.
