In brief
A classic car with a rock 'n' roll past has just sold for a whopping €132,000 at auction, making headlines across France.
A rare 1975 Panther De Ville that belonged to the famous French rock star Johnny Hallyday has been sold for €132,000 ($143,000). The luxury car, gifted to him by singer Sylvie Vartan, was known for its lavish features, including mink seats and a gold disc marking Hallyday’s musical success. The French auction house Osenat revealed that a local buyer purchased the car for a "specific project," and an extra buyer's fee of €26,400 was also part of the deal. The Panther De Ville was lost in a poker game by Hallyday in 1977, and despite attempts to reclaim it, he couldn't due to financial constraints. This neo-classic vehicle, with its iconic design reminiscent of the 1930s, is one of only 69 sold at the Fontainebleau auction, where it was expected to sell for around €55,000 to €80,000. Hallyday’s love for cars was well-known, and though he was forced to part with the Panther, it later changed hands again for a Ferrari after gaining the attention of a devoted fan. Hallyday, who sold over 110 million records and starred in various films, had a stellar career until his passing in 2017 at the age of 74.
