Post by yerblues1968 on Apr 23, 2008 22:56:38 GMT -5
GEORGE HARRISON CAR SELLS FOR $464,736 AT UK'S LARGEST CLASSIC CAR AUCTION
Automobiles of London
Thursday, November 29, 2007
RM Auctions
The late George Harrison's first important motor car sold for over $464,000 US yesterday in an auction that brought Central London to a stand still. The record sale, conducted by preeminent international auction house, RM Auctions, in association with Sotheby's, saw over $38 million worth of motor cars cross the auction block in what has been dubbed the largest sale of its kind in the UK.
BLENHEIM, Ontario, Canada (November 1, 2007) - The unwavering demands for Beatles memorability stemmed to cars last night as George Harrison's legendary Aston Martin DB5 crossed the auction block in Battersea Park, London.
The distinguished DB5, Harrison's first important motor car, attracted spirited bidding at the London sale, with the gavel falling at an impressive $464,736, well exceeding its original sales estimate of between $200,000 - $360,000 US.
Harrison, the youngest Beatle, was known for as much for all things fast as he was a music legend in the world's most influential bands. A lifelong auto enthusiast and racing fan, he was a regular sight at Formula One and other racing events, and owned several important sports cars, including the platinum 1964 Aston Martin DB5, sold yesterday in London, and a McLaren F1 as seen in Beatles Anthology film.
As verified by Chris E. Baker, General Manager of Service Operations of Aston Martin Lagona, the Harrison DB5 was constructed in 1964 and delivered by Brian Epstein's venture "Brydor Cars Ltd." to George Harrison Esq. at his Kinfauns estate, Claremont Park, in Surrey on January 1, 1965. After its brush with Beatles fame, the car found its way into a museum in Tokyo, Japan before being sold and imported to Germany. Yesterday's sale marked the first time the car has been offered at a public auction.
In addition to Harrison's former DB5 (Chassis #DB5/1896/R), the auction also offered a host of exquisite motor cars from the esteemed private collections of English Formula 1 mogul, Bernie Ecclestone, Italian businessman Giuseppe Prevosti and international entrepreneur Abba Kogan. In total, the sale saw $38 million worth of classic cars across the block in what is believed to be the largest auction of its kind ever to be held in the UK.
Since being owned by Harrison, the DB5 has been in the hands of a Tokyo museum and a German owner. It was described as not having any restoration work and in remarkable condition. Special features included black Connolly leather interior, chrome wire wheels and Avon Turbospeed tires. A heated rear window, Motorola radio with power aerial, Britax safety belts, a detachable passenger’s side headrest, and FIAM horns with changeover switch were also fitted at time of production.
Harrison, the youngest Beatle who composed songs such as "Something," "Here Comes the Sun" and "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," was also a lifelong auto enthusiast and racing fan. The 1964 Aston Martin is reported to the first of his many important sports car purchases as the fame of the Fab Four grew. In Eric Clapton’s just released autobiography, he speaks of the time George Harrison came to his home driving a new Ferrari - Clapton had to have one as well and is still a fan of this fabulous marque.
About RM Auctions celebrating nearly 30 years in the collector car industry, RM Auctions Inc. and its sister companies are responsible for acquiring, restoring and selling the world's rarest and most expensive vintage automobiles. Renowned for setting international records, RM has offices in the United States, Canada, and UK to provide international auction and restoration services for their global clients. In 2006, RM Auto Restorations, Inc. won the unprecedented "triple crown" for receiving "Best of Show" honors at the world's top three international collector car events - the Pebble Beach, Amelia Island and Meadow Brook Concours d'Elegance. For additional information on RM Auctions, Inc. and this event, visit www.rmauctions.com or call toll free (800) 211-4373 or 519-352-4575.
About Sotheby's, Sotheby's is the parent company of Sotheby's worldwide auction, private sales and art-related financing activities. The Company operates in 34 countries, with principal salerooms located in New York and London. The Company also regular conducts auctions in 14 other salerooms around the world, including Australia, Hong Kong, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Singapore. Sotheby's Holdings, Inc. is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol BID.
George Harrison's 1964 Aston Martin
www.rmauctions.com/CarDetails.cfm?CarID=r197&SaleCode=LF07
www.rmauctions.com/PressRelease.cfm?PressID=580
classiccars.about.com/b/2007/11/29/george-harrisons-aston-martin-sells-for-464736.htm
Automobiles of London
Thursday, November 29, 2007
RM Auctions
The late George Harrison's first important motor car sold for over $464,000 US yesterday in an auction that brought Central London to a stand still. The record sale, conducted by preeminent international auction house, RM Auctions, in association with Sotheby's, saw over $38 million worth of motor cars cross the auction block in what has been dubbed the largest sale of its kind in the UK.
BLENHEIM, Ontario, Canada (November 1, 2007) - The unwavering demands for Beatles memorability stemmed to cars last night as George Harrison's legendary Aston Martin DB5 crossed the auction block in Battersea Park, London.
The distinguished DB5, Harrison's first important motor car, attracted spirited bidding at the London sale, with the gavel falling at an impressive $464,736, well exceeding its original sales estimate of between $200,000 - $360,000 US.
Harrison, the youngest Beatle, was known for as much for all things fast as he was a music legend in the world's most influential bands. A lifelong auto enthusiast and racing fan, he was a regular sight at Formula One and other racing events, and owned several important sports cars, including the platinum 1964 Aston Martin DB5, sold yesterday in London, and a McLaren F1 as seen in Beatles Anthology film.
As verified by Chris E. Baker, General Manager of Service Operations of Aston Martin Lagona, the Harrison DB5 was constructed in 1964 and delivered by Brian Epstein's venture "Brydor Cars Ltd." to George Harrison Esq. at his Kinfauns estate, Claremont Park, in Surrey on January 1, 1965. After its brush with Beatles fame, the car found its way into a museum in Tokyo, Japan before being sold and imported to Germany. Yesterday's sale marked the first time the car has been offered at a public auction.
In addition to Harrison's former DB5 (Chassis #DB5/1896/R), the auction also offered a host of exquisite motor cars from the esteemed private collections of English Formula 1 mogul, Bernie Ecclestone, Italian businessman Giuseppe Prevosti and international entrepreneur Abba Kogan. In total, the sale saw $38 million worth of classic cars across the block in what is believed to be the largest auction of its kind ever to be held in the UK.
Since being owned by Harrison, the DB5 has been in the hands of a Tokyo museum and a German owner. It was described as not having any restoration work and in remarkable condition. Special features included black Connolly leather interior, chrome wire wheels and Avon Turbospeed tires. A heated rear window, Motorola radio with power aerial, Britax safety belts, a detachable passenger’s side headrest, and FIAM horns with changeover switch were also fitted at time of production.
Harrison, the youngest Beatle who composed songs such as "Something," "Here Comes the Sun" and "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," was also a lifelong auto enthusiast and racing fan. The 1964 Aston Martin is reported to the first of his many important sports car purchases as the fame of the Fab Four grew. In Eric Clapton’s just released autobiography, he speaks of the time George Harrison came to his home driving a new Ferrari - Clapton had to have one as well and is still a fan of this fabulous marque.
About RM Auctions celebrating nearly 30 years in the collector car industry, RM Auctions Inc. and its sister companies are responsible for acquiring, restoring and selling the world's rarest and most expensive vintage automobiles. Renowned for setting international records, RM has offices in the United States, Canada, and UK to provide international auction and restoration services for their global clients. In 2006, RM Auto Restorations, Inc. won the unprecedented "triple crown" for receiving "Best of Show" honors at the world's top three international collector car events - the Pebble Beach, Amelia Island and Meadow Brook Concours d'Elegance. For additional information on RM Auctions, Inc. and this event, visit www.rmauctions.com or call toll free (800) 211-4373 or 519-352-4575.
About Sotheby's, Sotheby's is the parent company of Sotheby's worldwide auction, private sales and art-related financing activities. The Company operates in 34 countries, with principal salerooms located in New York and London. The Company also regular conducts auctions in 14 other salerooms around the world, including Australia, Hong Kong, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Singapore. Sotheby's Holdings, Inc. is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol BID.
George Harrison's 1964 Aston Martin
www.rmauctions.com/CarDetails.cfm?CarID=r197&SaleCode=LF07
www.rmauctions.com/PressRelease.cfm?PressID=580
classiccars.about.com/b/2007/11/29/george-harrisons-aston-martin-sells-for-464736.htm