Elton John’s Daytona leads Ferrari-only sale this weekend

Jay Kay’s car also among the Prancing Horses on offer

What’s better than an auction featuring several beautiful Ferraris? Well, how about an auction that’s dedicated to the famed Italian marque…

That’s exactly what you’ll get if you head along to Silverstone Auctions’ bash at the Dallas Burston Polo Club in Warwickshire on Saturday (21 September), where 34 Prancing Horses will be offered for sale.

There’s a wide range of models on offer, from ’70s supercars to ultra-modern special editions, but one thing they all have in common is that they were made in Maranello.

We’ve picked out five of our favourites – including a couple with celebrity pasts…

1. 1972 Ferrari 365GTB/4 ‘Daytona’

Estimate: £425-475,000

Ah, the Daytona. For many the quintessential ’70s Ferrari (although it actually arrived in 1968), it’s a car that’s bewitched millions of obsessives over the years and adorned countless bedroom walls.

The follow-up to the brilliant 275GTB, it was expected to ape its chief rival the Lamborghini Miura with a mid-engined layout but instead stuck rigidly to Ferrari’s front-engined, rear-drive format.

Still, with a V12 engine that could push it to 174mph, it was the fastest road car in the world – and with sumptuous lines drawn by Pininfarina, it was one of the most beautiful, too.

1972 Ferrari 365GTB/4 ‘Daytona’ (continued)

Any Daytona is special – only 1406 were produced, of which 122 were Spiders – but this rare RHD example’s particularly notable, having previously been owned by Sir Elton John.

The pop star purchased it in 1973, using the proceeds of his fantastic album Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, and kept hold of it for two years.

Since then it’s been well looked after by several subsequent owners and goes to auction in excellent condition.

2. 1972 Ferrari 365GTC/4

Estimate: £200-260,000

The 365GTC/4 was based on the Daytona, sharing its predecessor’s engine, chassis and suspension – but it’s rarer still, with just 505 having been built between 1971 and ’72.

It’s also considered by some to be an even better car, thanks to multiple changes designed to make it ride and drive more smoothly.

1972 Ferrari 365GTC/4 (cont.)

As with the previous car, this one enjoyed celebrity ownership: for the past three years it’s been part of Jamiroquai singer Jay Kay’s enviable collection.

A left-hand-drive car originally bought in the United States, it was imported to the UK in 2014 then restored to concours condition and exhibited at the 2016 London Classic Car Show.

Jay Kay was clearly impressed, buying it after the show for £375,000 – although it goes to auction three years later with a substantially lower guide price.

3. 1990 Ferrari Mondial T

Estimate: £30-35,000

From two particularly pricey and highly sought after Prancing Horses to a far cheaper and, er, slightly less desirable model, in the form of this Mondial T.

Not that the Modial deserves its negative reputation: we like to think of it as an accomplished 3-litre grand touring car that just happens to be a Ferrari.

It’s a well-packaged, interestingly engineered junior exotic that took the idea of the mid-engined coupé with 2+2 seating to its natural conclusion – and which comes at a bargain price today.

1990 Ferrari Mondial T (cont.)

The price for the one on sale with Silverstone Auctions is indeed a bit of a bargain, with a lower guide of £30,000.

A “superb” original UK, right-hand drive example, it has been owned by the vendor for the past 20 years and has enjoyed plenty of loving care over those two decades.

4. 1989 Ferrari 328GTS

Estimate: £65-75,000

Another supremely usable Ferrari, the 328 is both reliable and capable and offers that famous badge at a price that brings it within range of normal people (albeit ones who still have a fair bit of cash to splash).

It’s a beauty, too – designed by Pininfarina and based on the earlier 308, it has a softer wedge shape than its predecessor and fits easily into the Ferrari lineage.

1989 Ferrari 328GTS (cont.)

This open-topped Spider version is a particularly special example, having been featured on the cover of Auto Italia and Ferrari Club magazines.

It was also named Best in Class at the 2016 Ferrari Owners Club Concours and with just 31,000 miles on the clock is likely to offer its new owner many years of happy driving.

5. 1972 Ferrari 365GTB/4 ‘Daytona’

Estimate: £475-525,000

From a couple of the cheapest offerings in the Silverstone Auctions sale to the priciest of all – in the form of another Daytona.

This one doesn’t have celebrity ownership in its history, if that kind of thing appeals, but it was used by one Tommy Dickson, a works driver for Ecurie Ecosse and teammate of Roy Salvadori and Sir Jackie Stewart, back in the mid-’70s.

1972 Ferrari 365GTB/4 ‘Daytona’ (cont.)

We’re particularly taken by its gorgeous Blue Dino Metallic finish – a colour it’s sported since a bare-metal restoration to return it to its original colour scheme in January 2015.

With full Ferrari Factory Classiche Certification, a detailed history and just 53,000 miles on the clock, it goes to auction in top condition and described by expert John Pogson as “one of the best, most rewarding Daytonas I’ve ever driven”.

Silverstone Auctions’ Ferrari Sale takes place on Saturday (21 September) at 12.30pm. A dedicated Porsche Sale takes place the same day at 2.30pm.