John Lennon’s 1956 Austin Princess is to be auctioned off this September at the RM Sotheby’s Auction House.
The late Beatles star bought the vehicle in August 1971 and used it the following year to promote ‘Imagine’ with his wife Yoko Ono. Lennon’s cars are in high demand with collectors, his 1965 Blue Ferrari 330 GT sold for £359,000 in 2013. The vintage motor is currently held in the Austin Rock and Roll Museum in Texas.
The Austin Princess was popular with The Beatles as the large rear door reportedly made it easier to escape when the band was mobbed by fans. The car features five uniquely adapted aeroplane seats that were added by the musician. The buyer will also be gifted with the original car registration certificate which has been signed by Lennon.
Milton Verret who owned the car before donating it to the Austin Rock and Roll Museum said, “Now the Museum wants to offer this rare vehicle at auction with the hope that it will be seen and enjoyed by even more fans of John Lennon and the Beatles worldwide, while at the same time raising funds for deserving charities.”
The auction house has estimated the car could sell for between £190,000 – £265,000. Some of the proceeds will be donated to both Unicef and Make A Wish America.
Photo Credit: michellerocks
