[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/classic-cars\/john-lennons-austin-princess\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/classic-cars\/john-lennons-austin-princess\/","headline":"John Lennon’s – Austin Princess","name":"John Lennon’s – Austin Princess","description":"As time moves on and our iconic rock and pop stars get fewer and fewer, the clamour and interest surrounding the personal objects that the likes of Bowie, Prince and Lennon once owned seems to ever increase. So when something as rare and striking as one of John Lennon\u2019s favourite automobiles comes up for auction, interest is naturally high. The car in question is a rare 1956 Austin Princess Limousine, which Lennon bought at the height of his fame on […]","datePublished":"2016-07-27","dateModified":"2016-07-28","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/#Person","name":"Isabelle Lawrence","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/","identifier":30,"description":"Max Wheeler is a leading motoring journalist and classic car specialist at Smart Motoring, renowned for his sharp insight and infectious passion for all things automotive. With years of experience covering motoring news, supercars, and the enduring legacy of classic cars, Max brings stories to life with style and authority. Whether it\u2019s the roar of a Lamborghini, the elegance of an Aston Martin DB5, or the cultural impact of vintage motoring icons, he delivers expert commentary that inspires enthusiasts and collectors alike. Dedicated to celebrating the heritage and future of driving, Max Wheeler is your trusted voice for classic car news and beyond.","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Smart Motoring","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/feature-15.jpg","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/feature-15.jpg","height":520,"width":1200},"url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/classic-cars\/john-lennons-austin-princess\/","about":["CLASSIC CARS"],"wordCount":382,"keywords":["auction","Austin Princess","john lennon","Limousine","the beatles"],"articleBody":"As time moves on and our iconic rock and pop stars get fewer and fewer, the clamour and interest surrounding the personal objects that the likes of Bowie, Prince and Lennon once owned seems to ever increase. So when something as rare and striking as one of John Lennon\u2019s favourite automobiles comes up for auction, interest is naturally high.The car in question is a rare 1956 Austin Princess Limousine, which Lennon bought at the height of his fame on 26 August 1971 \u2013 the year following the infamous Paul McCartney announcement to the press that he was leaving the Beatles effectively splitting the band up for good. As if this wasn\u2019t enough to secure its place in history, the car also featured in the film that was used to promote Lennon\u2019s album, Imagine in 1972. The classic car features in shots with both Lennon and his wife, Yoko Ono.The Austin Princess itself is pretty much untouched since the time that Lennon once owned it, including the customised seating (Lennon added five aircraft seats in the back of the vehicle). The new owner will also get the original title\/vehicle registration documents, which of course, includes the signature of John Lennon himself.The car\u2019s previous owner Milton Verret, who bought the car in 2005, donated the Princess to the Austin Rock and Roll Car Museum in Texas in 2008. It is hoped that the auction, which will be administered by RM Sotheby\u2019s in London at Battersea Evolution on September 7, will also raise a substantial amount of money for the charities, UNICEF and Make a Wish America. In fact, estimates suggest that this one-off classic car could reach a figure of around \u00a3265,000.The Beatles did seem to have a fondness for Austin Princess Limousines and were seen to use them on several occasions having acquired them through their record company, Apple Records. It has been suggested that maybe the large rear door made a quick exit from their adoring fans at the height of Beatlemania far easier!The Sotheby\u2019s sale in September is timed to coincide with celebrations of a decade of excellence in London and is sure to draw fans of the Beatles, classic cars and rock memorabilia.Images: dailyrecord.co.uk, dailymail.co.uk, tittenhurstlennon.blogspot.co.uk, yorkshirepost.co.uk"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Latest News","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Classic Cars","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/\/classic-cars\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"John Lennon’s – Austin Princess","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/classic-cars\/john-lennons-austin-princess\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]