The classic car owned by late French rock star Johnny Harryday before it was lost in poker was sold at auction for 132,000 euros ($143,000, £110,000).
Panther de Ville was given to him in 1975 by his then wife, fellow singer Sylvie Vartin. That custom-made fitting includes a mink sheet, a gold disc on top of the grill, and a hub cap carrying the initials.
French auction house Ossennat told the BBC that the vehicle was purchased by a French man to “will discuss a particular project soon,” and the buyer had to pay an additional buyer premium of 26,400 euros.
Harry Day lost his car in 1977 while playing poker with a friend.
Ossennat told the BBC that Harry Day reportedly tried to buy back the vehicle from its owner, but was discouraged from doing so by a manager who cited limited finances.
The Panther de Ville was a neo-classic luxury car with 1930s style design. It was produced in the UK from 1974 to 1985 and featured a V12 Jaguar engine.
The Hallyday yellow and black 1975 model year was one of 69 classic cars for sale by Osena in Fontainebleau near Paris on Monday. The auctioneer expected the vehicle to acquire between 55,000 euros and 80,000 euros.
The gold disc has the name Hallyday engraved on it. Vartin had placed it on the grill to celebrate a bestseller record released in 1975.
Harry Day was a well-known car enthusiast. However, within two years, he was forced to let go of the vehicle after losing poker at a friend’s house, Osenat’s Stéphane Pavot told the French information website.
However, the lucky winner preferred the sporty model, and later traded it for Ferrari, a true Harry Day fan, he added.
Vartan and Hallyday divorced in 1980.
Hallyday has sold over 110 million records and has starred in many films over a 57-year career. He continued to tour in 2017, shortly before the death of his 74-year-old lung cancer.
