In brief
In a striking auction event, a bespoke 1975 Panther De Ville, once owned by the iconic French rock star Johnny Hallyday, was sold for an impressive €132,000 ($143,000; £110,000). This vintage luxury car was a gift from his then-wife, singer Sylvie Vartan, who had it customized with features such as mink seats and a gold disc commemorating Hallyday's success in 1975.
With the auction conducted by Osenat in Fontainebleau, near Paris, the vehicle was bought by a French man for an unspecified project, with an added buyer’s premium of €26,400. Remarkably, Hallyday lost the car during a poker game in 1977, an event that highlighted his turbulent yet glamorous life. The car, which boasts a classic 1930s aesthetic and a powerful V12 Jaguar engine, was one of 69 classic cars featured in the auction, raising expectations for it to sell between €55,000 and €80,000. Hallyday, known for his passion for automobiles, reportedly aimed to buy back the Panther but was advised against it due to financial limitations by his manager at the time. After passing through several hands and ultimately being exchanged for a Ferrari, the Panther De Ville remains a symbol of Hallyday’s legacy. The singer, who passed away in 2017 at age 74, sold over 110 million records and is celebrated for his lasting impact on music and film.
