Classic cars with famous owners – how much did they sell for?

With Princess Diana’s 1985 Ford Escort RS Turbo fetching a jaw-dropping £650,000 at auction, having a famous previous owner can clearly add value to a classic car. Let’s take a look at some of the other celebrity-owned classics that have come to auction, and how much they sold for.

There are a range of factors that can influence how much a classic will sell for at auction. From condition, rarity and driving history to desirability and originality, there are many reasons for a buyer to pay top dollar.

But sometimes it can come down to the fact that the car was previously owned by a famous person. Celebrities with cash from chart-topping albums or blockbuster movies burning a hole in their pocket often see classic cars as a passion worth indulging. Just like us mere mortals.

So, if you’re searching for a vintage motor with an interesting link to a famous person then look no further. This blog also does a good job of underlining the importance of arranging insurance for classic cars in the UK, whether you’re a famous owner or not!

Princess Diana’s 1985 Ford Escort RS Turbo S1

Specially ordered by the princess, this low-mileage Ford Escort came with a very discrete and unique classy black paint job. Unlike all the other Series 1 RS Turbos which came in white.

However, the recent headline grabbing auction of Princess Diana’s Series 1 RS Turbo saw the car reach 20 times its normal value. When auction fees were taken into account the car will cost the new owner over £700,000.

But with even the very best examples of this fast Ford usually valued at around £35,000, was it too much or is it worth it for an important piece of history? In our recent Twitter poll 80% of readers said it was too much.

The sale price could be great news for other owners of Diana-related cars, though. Back in 2016 the princess’ 1994 Audi Cabriolet sold for just £54,000. Something that looks like a real bargain now!

Sir Elton John’s 1992 Bentley Continental R

Looking for a big, luxury car to swan around in? Sir Elton John’s 1992 Bentley Continental R fits the bill, currently being auctioned on well-known classics website Car and Classic.

At the time of writing, the car was sold for £39,500 and it is not surprising, especially when there’s a full paperwork history to confirm the provenance of the car.

The dark blue beauty has just under 96,000 miles on the clock, a 6.75-litre V8 nestled under the bonnet and a bespoke sound system installed for the famous owner himself. The singer owned the car for four years - is it time you added this luxury model to your collection for good?

Steve McQueen’s 1970 Porsche 917K

When you think of smooth-talking actors and fast cars then the name of Hollywood superstar Steve McQueen has to be one of the first that comes to mind. With iconic films like Bullitt and Le Mans on his film list, McQueen is beloved by many car fans.

However, his close relationship with cars and driving wasn’t just confined to his on-screen roles. McQueen also had a stellar career as both a motorcycle and car racing driver.

The air-cooled 12-cylinder Porsche 917K was developed by the manufacturer to compete at Le Mans and challenge the long-running dominance of Ferrari and Ford. Considered by many to be the best race car ever made, McQueen managed to buy his own 917K after it was retired from competition.

With such a racing pedigree and star connections it’s no wonder these rare cars attract those with the deepest pockets. At a California auction in 2017 a Porsche 917K owned by McQueen was sold for $14 million, a record price for a Porsche at the time.

Cars connected with the king of cool always do well in the sales room. In 2021 a Porsche 917K driven by McQueen was sold for more than $18 million by Sotheby’s.

McQueen's magic also worked on his 1976 Porsche 911 Turbo which sold for $1.95 million in 2015. In early 2020, McQueen's iconic 1968 Ford Mustang GT from the movie Bullitt sold for $3.4 million at the Mecum Kissimmee 2020 auction, and (at the time of writing) stands as the most expensive Ford Mustang sold in the world.

007’s 1965 Aston Martin DB5

While those McQueen cars cost a hefty price, when it comes to cinematic car history James Bond still has it over Lieutenant Frank Bullitt. Cars used in the various James Bond 007 movies tend to sell at a premium over standard motors, and this 1965 Aston Martin DB5 is no exception.

Billed as ‘the most famous car in the world’ when offered for auction in 2019 by Sotheby’s, this DB5 was purchased for the launch of Thunderball. Before it was fitted with modified special parts in order to meet ‘Q Branch’ specification for the next movie in the franchise Goldfinger.

The 1965 Aston Martin DB5 sold for just over its top estimate at nearly $6.4 million – making it one of the most expensive Aston Martins ever sold at auction.

Batman’s 1966 Batmobile

When it comes to gadget-filled cars then there can be few better than the 1955 Ford Futura used in the original TV series of Batman. A concept car built in Italy for Ford; it was bought in 1965 by car-customiser George Barris for use on the classic show.

With a V8 engine, in-car phone and parachutes, not to mention the bat cowl on the front, Barris worked wonders and created a car that thrilled fans of all ages. In 2013 the Batmobile finally landed on the auction block and was sold for $4.2 million.

By the way, Barris made a number of copies of his creation, the stories of which can be explored on the 1966 Batmobile blog.

But if your pockets aren’t that deep then there have been a number of subsequent Batmobiles that might be within your price range. A replica of the 1989 Batmobile from the Batman Returns movie sold for just over £72,000 in 2013.

John Lennon’s 1965 Phantom V Rolls Royce

Long seen as a popular choice for royal dignitaries and mega stars alike, there had to be a Rolls Royce somewhere on this list. And they don’t come more famous than this one owned by music icon John Lennon.

The former Beatle made extensive changes to the already exclusive Phantom V. He installed a state-of-the-art ‘floating’ record player, speakers on the front wheels, and a back seat that could convert into a double bed!

But the most startling change had to be to the exterior paint job, which featured a striking chrome yellow body with psychedelic flowers and other designs. In 1985, the car was sold at auction for $2.3 million to Canadian businessman Jim Pattison, making it the world’s most expensive car at the time.

It was displayed for a time in Pattison’s Ripley’s Believe it or Not Museum in South Carolina, before it was donated to the province of British Columbia. Today it can be seen in the lobby of the Royal British Columbia Museum in Victoria.

Janis Joplin’s 1964 Porsche 356 Cabriolet

While we’re talking about interesting paint jobs then we’ve got to mention Janis Joplin’s psychedelic Porsche 365 Cabriolet from 1964. Purchased second hand in 1968 by the raspy-voiced singer, she found the original all-white paint job too dull, so gave $500 to a roadie pal to transform the car.

Described by the artist as “The History of the Universe”, colourful and flamboyant really is an understatement. The classy psychedelic mural covers the whole car and includes an array of imagery, such as butterflies, jellyfish, portraits of band members, valley scenes and ‘the Eye of God’ emblazoned on the bonnet in all its technicolour glory.

Unfortunately, Joplin died from a drug overdose in 1970 when she was just 27. But her family kept the car until it was sold in 2015 for £1.2 million. The buyer wisely invested in a true piece of rock and roll history.

Rowan Atkinson’s 1997 McLaren F1

It isn’t just famous people from the past who can add some kudos to a classic, even modern-day celebrities can get in on the act. Rowan Atkinson – the comedy genius behind Mr Bean, Johnny English and Blackadder – has shown himself to have a real eye for classics.

Atkinson owns a vast array of vintage cars, but it’s perhaps his 1997 McLaren F1 that he’s most famous for driving. Having crashed the F1 not once but twice he still managed to sell it for a whopping £8 million at an auction in 2015. A rather cunning plan indeed!

But with using a classic car comes the risk of damaging it. Atkinson’s second crash in 2011 led to an eye-watering £910,000 repair bill for the star. A stark reminder that insurance for classic cars in the UK is always a good idea.

10 top tips for researching your classic

Owning a classic car is a whole lot of fun but there’s another aspect of ownership that can be very rewarding, too; tracing the history of your car. Perhaps your classic was previously owned by a star of stage or screen, without you even knowing it.

Remember, as well as unearthing an interesting story to tell other enthusiasts you might even find something out which could attract potential buyers in the future. If you’re keen to do a bit of detective work then read our 10 top tips to check your classic car’s history.

1. Check the car

Classic cars can be found in a whole variety of places, not just in a car dealer’s showroom. If you’re buying direct from a private seller then there could well be some invaluable information laying undisturbed in the boot or in the glove compartment.

2. Speak to the seller

Another obvious source of information. Chatting to someone at the dealership or the previous owner could easily produce some tantalising titbits.

Any snippet of information could prove to be key when it comes to piecing together that eventful history or tracking down those elusive celebrity owners. And if you don’t ask, you don’t get.

3. Get on top of paperwork

In the pre-digital age taking care of a motor car involved a certain amount of paper shuffling. Whether old MOT certificates, garage invoices, vehicle log books, or service and maintenance records, it all helps to find out what has happened so far in the life of your car.

Over the years the chances are that a fair amount of work has been done on your classic by a whole army of different mechanics or specialists. Any one of whom could know a surprising amount about your motor. If you’re really lucky they may even have some pictures of the work being done.

Finding the original buff-coloured log book in the glove compartment is super exciting. And will take a lot of the leg work out of the research process.

Hopefully, there’ll be the names and addresses of previous owners to follow up on. Be warned, though, not everyone appreciates being contacted out of the blue.

4. Contact the DVLA

While the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) won’t hand out details of previous owners to just anyone, it’s still worth completing a form V888. Using the car registration, the DVLA should be able to tell you the number of previous owners, any colour or engine changes over time, and possibly even the details of any previous keepers.

Who knows what famous names have been associated with your classic in the distant past? Be aware, if you’re the current or previous owner of the vehicle then the service is free. If not, then you’ll need to pay £5 per enquiry.

5. Take to social media

Whatever your feelings about social media, motoring communities on Twitter and Facebook can be very helpful when it comes to unearthing facts about your car. Fellow enthusiasts love hearing about other owners' research projects and might make your search much quicker.

As well as contacting the forums for your specific classic car or marque, don’t forget to simply input your car’s registration number or VIN plate number into a search engine. Whether old magazine or website articles, auction catalogues, or photographs from car shows or rallies, you never know what might turn up.

There are also useful online tools available to help you decode the car’s VIN plate. A quick and easy way to find out where the car was built or any unusual engine or body type options.

6. Join a car club

Here at Lancaster, we’re always keen to champion the range of wonderful car clubs that are out there in the UK. When you need help researching your classic there’s really nowhere better to start.

As well as helping you track down old photos or snippets of vital information, some owners clubs have put together large databases covering production records and archives of the models they cover. So, get out there and ask around - details of your car may be just a few mouse clicks away.

As well as helping with your research, joining a classic car club will:

• Help you meet like-minded people and become more sociable.
• Get restoration tips and advice.
• Let you show off your car in front of those who will truly appreciate it.
• Help you get deals on insurance for classic cars in the UK.

And if you haven’t yet made the plunge and invested in your dream classic car, then don’t despair. The vast majority of classic car owners clubs will still welcome you, providing you have a genuine passion for cars.

Here at Lancaster, you could receive an owners club discount on insurance for classic cars in the UK. Call our team on 01480 484 826 and speak to one of our dedicated team about a quote.

7. Contact the manufacturer

Many car manufacturers have long and venerable histories and may well be able to fill in any gaps in your research. If you can make a link between one of their cars and an important historical or cultural figure then they’ll be very pleased indeed.

In recent years car makers have strengthened their heritage operations. Why not give them a call and see if they can help?

8. Write to a car magazine

The letters pages of classic car magazines are a popular place to ask if readers have any information about your car. It’s always worth a shot, particularly if you discover something amazing.

9. Spend the day at a museum

The National Motor Museum at Beaulieu or the British Motor Museum in Warwickshire could well hold an important piece of your classic car puzzle. The British Motor Industry Heritage Trust at the British Motor Museum holds fascinating information about many British-made classics.

While it probably won’t be able to tell you whether or not your car had a famous previous owner, it may well hold the original production details. A great start to piecing together your beloved car’s story.

• And they can also provide an official Heritage Certificate from the factory records, which is nice to have. This will show you the construction date and facts about your car such as the original colour.

There are a number of different options and extras, with prices starting from just £43. From Austin Allegro and Aston Martin to Wolseley there are many great British marques and models they have records for.

10. Attend a car rally

Alternatively, you could do it the old-fashioned way by popping along to a car rally armed with as many details about your car as you have already mustered. Car fans tend to have long memories, you never know when talking to a fellow owner, enthusiast, club member or trader could dredge up an all-important memory.

Protect your investment with insurance for classic cars in the UK

Whether or not it has a famous previous owner, if you’re lucky enough to get your hands on a classic motor, you will need specialist insurance for classic cars in the UK.

We can find you insurance cover to match a vast array of exciting cars. Lancaster Insurance is the classic car insurance broker of choice for many of the UK’s vintage and classic car owners.

Like you, Lancaster is passionate about classics. Drawing on the recommendations from our panel of specialist underwriters, we will search for our insurance for your classic car.

Let the specialists help you protect your cherished auto with insurance for classic cars in the UK.