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1972 Ferrari Dino 246GT Once Owned by Elton John Goes on Auction

One of only 498 were ever sent to the UK, as the Ferrari Dino 246GT is part of the rare collection of the Italians’ beautiful creations. The rear-drive sports car was bought by Elton John shortly before he’d release his seventh album, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, which made him famous worldwide. The car will go under the hammer in an exclusive auction due for the end of the month, in London.
1972 Ferrari Dino 246GT Once Owned by Elton John 15 photos
Photo: Bonhams
1972 Ferrari Dino 246GT Once Owned by Elton1972 Ferrari Dino 246GT Once Owned by Elton1972 Ferrari Dino 246GT Once Owned by Elton1972 Ferrari Dino 246GT Once Owned by Elton1972 Ferrari Dino 246GT Once Owned by Elton1972 Ferrari Dino 246GT Once Owned by Elton1972 Ferrari Dino 246GT Once Owned by Elton1972 Ferrari Dino 246GT Once Owned by Elton1972 Ferrari Dino 246GT Once Owned by Elton1972 Ferrari Dino 246GT Once Owned by Elton1972 Ferrari Dino 246GT Once Owned by Elton1972 Ferrari Dino 246GT Once Owned by Elton1972 Ferrari Dino 246GT Once Owned by Elton1972 Ferrari Dino 246GT Once Owned by Elton
In his five-decade career Elton John has sold more than 300 million records, which makes him one of the best-selling music artists in the world. He has received six Grammy Awards, five Brit Awards - winning two awards for Outstanding Contribution to Music and the first Brits Icon in 2013, an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award... and the list could go on for hours.

Point is Sir Elton John is one of the richest artists in the industry so it’s no wonder the 67-year old hit maker drove one-of-a-kind sports cars. Even though he is rather known as a great art collector and believed to have one of the largest private photography collections in the world, Elton John once owned quite a car-collection.

He sold a 20-car collection for £2 million

In June 2011, he sold 20 of his cars at Christie’s, claiming he didn’t get the chance to drive them because he was out of the country so often. The sale, which included a 1993 Jaguar XJ220 and several Ferraris, Rolls-Royces and Bentleys, raised nearly £2 million ($3,13 million).

As to the car in question, a one of only 498 Dino 246GTs supplied to the UK in right-hand drive configuration, it was ordered new by Maranello Concessionaires and delivered finished in Rosso Chiaro with Nero vinyl interior trim, electric window lifts and 6,5x14 inch wheels. Then, in November 1972 the Dino was purchased by and registered to Elton John.

According to Bonhams, the London-based exclusive auction house selling it, John gifted the car to his drummer, Nigel Olsson, as confirmed by a letter on file dated 15th June 1973 from John Reid, the artist’s former manager. The mileage at that point was quoted as 5,600.

After five other owners, in 2002, at 24,200 miles, the car was purchased by the current vendor, who since acquisition has added only some 5,000 miles to the total. The vehicle also received a bare metal re-spray, replacing corroded panels where necessary.

197 horsepower

A 2.4-liter version on a longer wheelbase - the 246GT - replaced the original Dino 206 in late 1969. Built by Scaglietti, the body was now steel and the cylinder block cast-iron rather than aluminum, but the bigger engine’s increased power - 197 horsepower at 7,600 rpm. The rare collectable is expected to fetch £280,000 at the Bond Street Sale to take place on November 30.
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