Eric Clapton’s Former 1966 Ferrari Can Now Be Yours for Nearly $4 Million
By Howard Walker
Howard Walker
Howard Walker's Most Recent Stories
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James Brown, courtesy of Fiskens
Among the beauty pageant of 1960s Ferrari road cars, arguably the most dazzling is the 275 GTB/4 coupe. Masterfully designed by Pininfarina and hand-built by Scaglietti, this exquisitely proportioned berlinetta combines jaw-dropping style with towering V-12 power and performance.
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It’s no wonder that the so-called “four cam” attracted the attention of celebrity car lovers the world over. The roster of A-list owners included such names as Steve McQueen, Clint Eastwood, James Coburn, Miles Davis, George Harrison, and Ralph Lauren. In the case of this 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB/4, guitar great Eric Clapton is included in its provenance. Clapton acquired chassis No. 09261, one of just 31 right-hand-drive examples built, in 2003. During the two years he owned it, Clapton commissioned an exhaustive 12-month restoration.
Developed from the original 1964 275 GTB, the updated GTB/4 debuted in 1966 and was distinguished by its longer nose and power-domed hood, along with a more powerful four-camshaft version of the legendary Colombo V-12 engine. It was also the first road-going Ferrari equipped with a five-speed manual transaxle and all-round independent suspension. Producing 300 hp, the power plant enables the car to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 163 mph. In total, just 300 examples of the 275 GTB/4 were built between 1966 and 1968.
WATCHThe story of this ex-Clapton car begins in London, when it was ordered on July 4, 1966, by businessman Robin Houry. According to research by the team of classic-car specialists at Fiskens, which currently has the vehicle listed for sale, Houry had business interests in Kenya. It seems he had explained to Ferrari’s U.K. distributor, Maranello Concessionaires, that, after taking delivery of the car, he would keep it in the U.K. for six months before shipping it to Kenya.
While this plan had been agreed to by Maranello Concessionaires, no one had informed the factory, which sent the car directly to Kenya’s port of Mombasa. Though Houry was said to be furious at the mix-up, he decided to keep the car in Africa and put it to good use in amateur races organized by the East African Motor Sports Club. But come 1968, Houry had sold the silver 275 GTB/4 to his business partner Brian Lees.
After acquiring the car, Lees reportedly wagered the pilot of a twin-engined Douglas DC-3 that his V-12-powered Ferrari could get from Nairobi to Mombasa—a 300-mile drive on barely paved local roads—faster than the prop plane. The Ferrari won, covering the distance at an average speed of more than 80 mph.
“Ferrari road cars like this don’t often come with such a wealth of period documentation. But 09261’s includes a spectacular history file that includes copies of factory documentation, details of its time in Kenya, and charming correspondence between Maranello Concessionaires and the first and second owners,” says Fiskens founder Gregor Fisken.
Eventually shipped to the U.K. in 1970, the car was sold the following year to renowned automotive illustrator James Allington, who kept it for over three decades. Famed for his intricate cutaway drawings, Allington completely disassembled the Ferrari to create a highly technical “see-through” illustration of the GTB/4’s inner workings. While being put back together, the car was repainted bright red to match his cutaway representation.
Following Allington’s death, his cars, including the Ferrari, were consigned to a Christie’s auction in December of 2002. While chassis No. 09261 was the star, it ultimately failed to hit its reserve. A few months later, Clapton added the Ferrari to his own expansive collection, immediately commissioning British Ferrari specialist DK Engineering to carry out the year-long restoration that returned the car to its original Grigio Argento livery.
Clapton sold the vehicle in 2005, and it was subsequently passed through a number of owners before being snapped-up five years later by music-equipment executive Niall Holden, who has a collection that includes the ex-Rod Stewart 1972 Lamborghini Muira SV. Holden gave the Ferrari yet another repaint, this time in metallic dark blue.
In January of 2022, this Prancing Horse was sold to its current custodian, yacht designer Terence Disdale, whose creations include the 533-foot Eclipse, commissioned by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich.
Always aspiring to own a silver 275 GTB/4, Disdale immediately embarked on a full bare-metal repaint to return the car to its original Grigio Argenta. Over two years, he invested approximately $250,000 on a nut-and-bolt restoration, plus about $33,000 on an interior retrim, taking it from black to tan.
“I believe the 275 GTB is the most beautiful car ever designed. It is a constant inspiration for its minimal style and elegance,” Disdale tells Robb Report. “And contrary to modern design that’s angry and aggressive, this Ferrari is a masterpiece of balance and purposeful style.”
Fiskens has the Ferrari listed at 2.95 million British pounds (roughly $3.9 million). For reference, a yellow 1967 Ferrari GTB/4 sold at Mecum’s Indianapolis sale in May for $2.86 million, and an ice-blue 1967 example was sold by Broad Arrow at The Amelia in March for $3.4 million. It is, however, well below the $6.05 million raised for the 1-of-16 alloy-bodied 1967 GTB/4 at Mecum’s Kissimmee sale in January.
“Classiche certified with matching numbers, immaculately restored and finished in its original Grigio Argento—arguably the 275’s most synonymous color—this is one of the loveliest four-cams we’ve ever come across,” Fiskens tells Robb Report. Having Clapton as part of its past, though, is what gives it true rock-star status.
Click here for more photos of Eric Clapton‘s former 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB/4.
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Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price subsidising their life by livestreaming
Venezuela Fury and her husband Noah Price look to be making their own way in the world by raking it in from their lucrative social media accounts.
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury, 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year.
Since getting married and moving in together the couple have been earning thousands of pounds a month, livestreaming their life as newlyweds in their static caravan in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
And fans can't get enough of their regular life updates on TikTok and Kick, which have proved to be very profitable for the pair.
They look to be supporting themselves after Noah denied that he was given £5million by Venezuela's family as a wedding gift.
Despite his wife's huge family wealth, an estimated combined £160 million, Noah recently told his Kick followers that he 'pays for everything' for the couple.
Making light of the claims about Venezuela's millionaire financial status, Noah said: 'I actually pay for everything unfortunately. You'd expect the millionaire to pay for it wouldn't you.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price are earning thousands livestreaming their caravan life - after her new groom insisted he pays all the bills and denied he had £5m handout from her dad
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury , 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year
Venezuela then asked their fans: 'Do you think I am a millionaire?'
Noah joked: 'She isn't a secret millionaire guys', before she broke into song and sang: 'But I live like a millionaire!'
But it seems according to estimated calculations from their social media work, Noah and Venezuela can more than afford to support themselves.
Noah has been livestreaming on platforms such as Kick and TikTok, where viewers can send paid gifts or donations.
He was previously encouraging viewers to send gifts on his honeymoon during livestreams, suggesting this is one revenue stream.
Both Noah and Venezuela have built substantial followings on Instagram and TikTok. They can potentially earn money through sponsored posts, brand collaborations, affiliate links and creator payouts.
Kick allows its creators to take home 95 per cent of the £4.99 subscription cost that fans pay.
Streamers keep 100 per cent of direct tips and donations, minus minor standard payment processing fees.
It is unclear how many subscribers Noah currently has because this information is hidden, but he does have 7,200 followers which is publicly viewable.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million
In one video on their honeymoon, Noah asked his followers if they'd give them some more gifts now that they were married.
In a TikTok live viewed by 20,000 he said: 'Keep liking our videos people, keep sending gifts.'
After saying thank you to several of his followers he joked they should stick around on the livestream and 'watch Venezuela punch me in the mouth'.
The other half of the honeymooning couple said: 'I am, honestly!'
Noah previously confirmed that the pair don't share their finances after they were asked whether they have a shared bank account.
'She earns her money, I earn mine,' said Noah, as Venezuela joked: 'Yeah, what you gonna do about it.'
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'.
Meanwhile Venezuela is being eyed up by executives for a fly on the wall TV series.
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'
Boasting 1.3 million TikTok followers, Venezuela is already entertaining fans with her honest musings and candid moments, from cooking to kitting out her and Noah's static caravan home.
And following the success of the Netflix series At Home With The Furys, it is no wonder bosses are wanting to draw on the Fury popularity.
A TV insider said: 'The couple are not A-list celebrities but everyone has become obsessed with their love story.
'People are genuinely intrigued by them. Whether it’s the fact they have married so young, Venezuela’s famous family or their gypsy lifestyle, they have the ‘X factor'.
'Several TV executives think a proper fly-on-the-wall series following their lives as newlyweds in the gypsy community would be fascinating,' they told The Sun.
It is thought Netflix would be likely to produce the series due to their already established relationship with the Furys.
Venezuela's representatives told The Daily Mail: 'We have many offers on the table regarding Venezuela which we are discussing.'
