A 1964 Facel Vega once owned by Ringo Starr, called the world's fastest four-seater, will be auctioned in December, Bonham's auction house announced Oct. 3.
The car, powered by a 390bhp Chrysler Typhoon engine and with bodywork by Jean Daninos, originally sold for £5,570 ($9,021), according to the auction house. The car was delivered to Ringo’s home in Weybridge, Surrey and he owned the vehicle for four years. The Chassis HK2 B160, bought new by Ringo, was one of only two such cars with the larger 6.7 litre engine and manual gearbox and the very last of only 26 RHD Facel II’s produced.
Facel produced approximately 2,900 cars in its few years of existence. Hand built, they were also very expensive and were a favorite of the rich and famous. The roll call of owners includes royalty, politicians, diplomats, racing drivers and entertainers, among them Tony Curtis, Stirling Moss, Danny Kaye, Ringo, Joan Fontaine and Ava Gardner.
The car is estimated to sell for £300,000 to £350,000 ($486,013 to $566,893). The sale will be held Dec.1 at Bonham's at New Bond Street London office.
ALL I WANT IS A "PHOTOGRAPH": In a mailing to subscribers this week, Genesis Publications gave more details and costs for the book launch for the print version of Ringo Starr's "Photograph" to be held in Los Angeles Oct. 23. Three events are to be held, all with appearances by Ringo. A session with coffee and pastries (and no book) is $40. A "VIP Pass" that includes a rehearsal by Ringo's All-Starr Band, a seat at a press conference and an autographed copy of the book is $690. Finally, an "all access pass" that includes a choice of a framed copy of one of 12 limited-edition prints from the book, a picture with Ringo, the above press conference and a copy of the book by mail, is $4,490. For further details, see Genesis' website.
---
We love to write about the Beatles. Don't miss the best and most extensive original reporting about the Beatles in all our Beatles column pages at Beatles Examiner, Paul McCartney Examiner, George Harrison Examiner and Ringo Starr Examiner. Subscribe and you'll get first word when we publish.
Copyright Steve Marinucci. Please do not reprint in full on other sites without permission. Connect with us on Facebook and Pinterest. And don't miss our weekly Beatles news podcast “Things We Said Today” available first on Fab4Radio.com on the weekends, then on iTunes and Podbean.com.
