Johnny Hallyday's Lost Poker Car Fetches €132,000 at Auction

The iconic car, lost to poker but rich in history, was auctioned in France and drew significant interest.

A legendary car once owned by the iconic French rocker Johnny Hallyday has been auctioned for €132,000 ($143,000; £110,000). The car, a bespoke 1975 Panther De Ville, had a storied past as it was a gift from Hallyday's former wife, famed singer Sylvie Vartan. This custom vehicle features luxurious elements, including mink seats and a gold disc adorned with Hallyday's name resting atop its grille.

The auction was conducted by the French house Osenat, where a French buyer acquired the car for a "specific project" that he is expected to reveal soon. This sale also came with an additional buyer's premium of €26,400. Notably, Hallyday lost the vehicle during a poker game in 1977, a decision he would later come to regret.

Osenat shared that Hallyday attempted to reacquire the Panther De Ville from its new owner after losing it, but his manager dissuaded him due to financial constraints. The car, a neo-classic model with a striking design reminiscent of the 1930s, was produced in Britain from 1974 to 1985 and boasted a powerful V12 Jaguar engine.

Hallyday's yellow-and-black Panther De Ville was one of 69 classic automobiles auctioned in Fontainebleau, near Paris. Auctioneers had estimated it would sell for between €55,000 and €80,000, making its final price a significant surprise. The gold disc on the vehicle was a celebratory nod to Hallyday's successful musical releases in 1975 and was strategically placed by Vartan.

With a legacy of over 110 million records sold and a career dotted with film appearances, Hallyday's passion for automobiles was evident throughout his life. His divorce from Vartan in 1980 marked a significant chapter in his life, yet his contributions to music continued until his death from lung cancer in 2017 at the age of 74.