A 1990s Bentley Continental convertible owned by Sir Elton John has wiped out its pre-auction estimate in New York, making it the most expensive example to change hands, and by some margin.
The glorious 1990 car, which was purchased by the music megastar in 1992, was one of lots in a collection of Elton John memorabilia offered to the highest bidder at the US sale organized by Christie’s.
While the collection fetched a whopping $8 million, the Bentley was the standout, surpassing its pre-sale estimate and selling for more than 17 times what the auction house said it would cost.
Rocketman’s Bentley Soars in Price: This 1990 Bentley Continental from Sir Elton John’s collection sold last week for more than 12 times its pre-auction estimate. This is what it cost
The British two-door classic is a special edition example with a beautifully sculpted body by Mulliner.
This left-hand drive example was acquired by the Rocketman singer in 1992 and treasured for years on both sides of the Atlantic.
Finished in stunning black paint with a black leather interior and a matching black soft top, it features a 6.75-liter V8 engine under its wide hood and a handprint on the driver’s seat from possibly one of the artists of the Britain’s most revered modernity. was.
As such, experts considered the pre-sale estimate of between $25,000 and $35,000 (i.e. the equivalent of between £19,825 and £27,750) to be incredibly modest.
The left-hand drive example was purchased by the Your Song singer in 1992 and treasured for years on both sides of the Atlantic.
Finished in stunning black paint with a black leather interior and a matching black soft top, it features a 6.75-litre V8 engine under its wide bonnet and a print on the underside of the driver’s seat of possibly one of the Britain’s most revered modern artists. was
Experts said before the New York auction that Christie’s pre-sale estimate of $25,000 to $35,000 (the equivalent of £19,825 to £27,750) was incredibly modest.
And this proved to be the case when the hammer fell in the Big Apple last week, attracting bids from 24 different collectors by phone and online.
The final winning price (including auction fees and taxes) was a colossal $441,000, which converted to British Pounds equals £350,000.
That’s 1,664 percent higher than Christie’s lowest estimate — more than 17.5 times the lowest pre-sale guidance.
John Mayhead, editor of Hagerty’s Classic Car Price Guide, confirmed to This is Money that the winning bid was easily a new world record for this particular model.
In fact, it was almost double the highest figure previously paid for this generation of Bentley: a 1994 Continental IV sold in Arizona in 2022 with just 15,100 miles on the clock, which changed hands for $296,500.
The final winning price (including auction fees and taxes) was a colossal $441,000, which converted to British Pounds is £350,000.
The winning bid exceeded Christie’s high estimate by 1,160% – more than 12 times the highest price in the pre-sale guide.
Speaking to Christie’s about his beloved engine, Sir Elton revealed that he adored it so much that he transported it from the United States to Europe.
‘When I first bought the black Bentley Continental in the 1990s, I was struck by the beauty of the car. I also loved its sexy dark walnut interior and exquisite details. And the smell.
“Decades later, the car still has the most delicious smell from the soft black leather seats,” he said.
The engine was next to a number of items from the singer’s private home in Atlanta, including Banksy’s Flower Thrower Triptych, a work that Elton John acquired directly from the street artist and sold last week for the monumental sum of 1.9 million dollars.
A pair of Keith Haring paintings sold well above estimates (nearly $1.3 million combined), as did a Cartier 8K asymmetrical golf watch ($277,200) and a grand piano ($201,600), all of which had been in stores or on display at his Peachtree Road property. .
However, it was the Bentley that John spoke most fondly of.
The engine was next to a number of items from the singer’s private home in Atlanta, including this grand piano that also sold for well over the estimated price with a bid of $201,600.
Speaking to Christie’s about his beloved engine, Sir Elton revealed that he adored it so much that he transported it from the United States to Europe.
Experts said the asking price was three times the average value of a Continental IV model from this era of luxury Bentleys. Without a superstar owner, the expected price of one of these cars in excellent condition is $96,500
‘The first time I drove the car was in Los Angeles. “I took a lot of trips down the Pacific Coast Highway,” the Yellow Brick Road musician said.
‘There’s no better place in California to drive a convertible sedan with the top down and the ocean air blowing gently in your face. I particularly remember a beautiful drive along the coast to San Simeon with the hits on the radio blaring.
‘When I moved to Atlanta, I decided to bring my beloved Bentley convertible. It caused quite a stir every time I took it out on the town.
When I first bought the black Bentley Continental in the 1990s, I was amazed by the beauty of the car. I also loved its sexy dark walnut interior and exquisite details. And the smell.
‘I made many trips to visit my favorite photography gallery, as I began the process of learning and building my photography collection. Atlanta’s mild climate and the sweet smell of magnolias were the perfect accompaniments to driving with the roof facing south.
‘After a few summers at our home in the south of France, I decided it was time for the Bentley to cross the Atlantic and turn heads on the Côte d’Azur.
‘We made countless trips along the Promenade des Anglais in Nice, with the bright stars guiding us to our favorite restaurant.
‘Every time I went shopping in Monaco, we parked the car at the Hotel de Paris.
‘The doormen always gave the Bentley a privileged position on the hotel forecourt.
“Every time we returned to pick up the car, there was a small gathering of tourists taking photos next to her elegant beauty.”
John Mayhead says that while the car itself is from a time when demand is growing in the world of classic cars, there’s no denying that Elton ownership is the reason the price not only exceeds the pre-sale estimate, but it dwarfs the price. Average value of these vehicles today.
‘Elton is known for his love of cars and was particularly passionate about this one, describing it as his ‘beloved’ Continental and gushing about how wonderful it looked.
‘This background gave him a big boost when he reached the podium.
‘Hagerty tracks the value that celebrity ownership adds to cars through the annual Power List, and this will be the 18th Elton car sale our team has tracked (which coincidentally is the third highest number, behind only by Steve McQueen and Paul Walker).
‘The average increase for other Elton cars over a standard equivalent has been 115 per cent. This sale exceeded the Hagerty Price Guide’s “excellent” value of $96,500 by 372 percent. That’s a big number.’
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