Eric Clapton’s Ferrari 275 GTB/4—his very own “Key to the Highway,” if you will—is up for auction right now. Generally speaking, ownership by such a monumental celebrity would be the most noteworthy selling point of even mint-condition classic cars from any one of the world’s finest marques, but, as collectors know, the GTB/4 is a blue-chip prospect without the Clapton connection.
(Fiskens)
As noted by the seller, Fiskens Fine Historic Automobiles out of London, the 275 GTB/4 is renowned for being perhaps the most refined Prancing Horse of the 1960s, thanks largely to Ferrari’s first implementation of dual-overhead camshafts—two camshafts per six-cylinder bank, four camshafts total, hence the “4” in the model name. The dual-overhead camshafts not only increased the power of the 3.3-liter Colombo V12, but increased efficiency and precision in valve timing. Additionally, the 275 GTB/4’s Pininfarina-designed body was every bit as beautiful as the preceding 250 body but more aggressive, with side air intakes, a short Kamm tail, and a slightly more muscular stature.
(Fiskens)
For these reasons and more, 275 GTB/4—and its convertible sibling, the GTS/4—was extremely popular among the absolute coolest entertainers of its day, namely Steve McQueen and Miles Davis,who once said, “I drive a Ferrari—not to be cute, but because I dig it.” Just 330 examples of the 275 GTB/4 were built, plus one prototype, and only one-tenth of production left Maranello with right-hand drive. Clapton’s, chassis No. 09261, is just the second RHD model made.
(Fiskens)
It was originally ordered through UK importer Maranello Concessionaires (run by Colonel Ronnie Hoare) in September 1966 for a customer named Houry, who had business in Kenya. Houry planned to import the car to the UK first, then re-export it to Kenya as “used” to dodge a 50% new-car import duty—but Ferrari shipped the car straight to Mombasa, blowing the plan and infuriating Houry.
(Fiskens)
Even so, Houry raced the car in Kenya through the East African Motor Sports Club, struggling to control its power on track. Because he was racing before any GTB/4 competed in Europe, 09261 may have been the very first 275 GTB/4 ever raced. Houry sold the car to his partner Brian Lees in 1968. Lees famously bet a DC3 pilot he could beat the plane from Nairobi to Mombasa by road—and won, averaging over 80 mph for the 300-mile drive.
In 1971, automotive illustrator and former Royal Air Force engineer James Allington bought the car, trading in his Alfa Romeo GTV. He disassembled the vehicle 1975 to produce one of his signature cutaway illustrations, then restored and repainted it red to match the artwork. Only then did Clapton acquire the car for a short time.
(Fiskens)
Fiskens has more details on the car’s time with Clapton and subsequent days:
Allington’s collection of cars and drawings was consigned to a Christies Auction in December 2002, where 09261 was the star lot but ultimately failed to reach its reserve. 09251’s fourth owner would be found just a few months later when, on May 19, 2003, it was sold to Eric Clapton. The legendary musician is no stranger to Ferraris, or even four-cam’ 275s, having bought his first GTB/4 in 1970. Clearly identifying a great example, but seeing room for improvement, Clapton immediately commissioned Ferrari experts DK Engineering to fully restore the car and return it to its original colour during a 12 month, [$211,000] process.
Having acquired and restored a number of significant Ferraris in the early 2000s, including two 250 GT SWBs, Clapton elected to sell the 275 GTB/4, and Ferrari collector Shamir Deen became 09261’s fifth owner on November 2, 2005. Ferrari dealer John Collins bought the 275 GTB/4 from Deen for stock on October 13, 2009, ultimately selling it to car and music enthusiast Niall Holden on May 17, 2010. Just two days later, 09261 received the all-important Classiche certification from Ferrari, confirming the matching numbers status of the chassis, engine and gearbox.
(Fiskens)
For Holden the legendary Ferrari specialist Terry Hoyle undertook programme of preparation works, including a repaint in metallic dark blue. In this new guise, Holden loaned the 275 GTB/4 in 2014 to broadcaster and Ferrari obsessive Chris Evans for his annual charity event. With an estimated nine million weekly listeners to his radio show and with the charity auction of drives in “the Magnificent Seven”—a mouth-watering selection of Ferraris including 09261—raising over [$1 million] for Children in Need, the enormous press coverage led many to believe that the 275 GTB/4 actually belonged to Evans.
As well as its philanthropic activities, 09261 was shown by actual owner Holden at a range of events from the local, but impressively curated 2014 St John’s Wood Pageant in London, all the way to the international spectacular of the 2015 Kuwait Concours.
After 12 years in Holden’s care, the 275 GTB/4 was sold to its current owner, an internationally renowned yacht designer, in January 2022. Owning a silver 275 GTB/4 was the ambition of a lifetime and almost immediately after buying 09261, the owner embarked upon a full bare metal body restoration to return the car to its original Grigio Argento. With a habitual eye for detail, a mere “color change” would not suffice and over two years, [over $250,000] was spent perfecting the body and paintwork. At the same time, a further [$33,000] was spent beautifully retrimming the interior.
Fiskens
Fiskens has Clapton’s Ferrari listed at the equivalent of about $4 million. Tap here to learn more.
