[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/david-bowies-rare-volvo\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/david-bowies-rare-volvo\/","headline":"David Bowie’s Rare Volvo Sells for \u00a3160,000","name":"David Bowie’s Rare Volvo Sells for \u00a3160,000","description":"In 1976 it seemed that David Bowie\u2019s life was falling apart; the destructive trappings and excesses that rock stars can be so susceptible to were beginning to overshadow his burgeoning fame and fortune. To escape the drugs and his tax issues, Bowie left California for the clean, pure air of Switzerland. A fresh start that would see the release of the renowned Berlin Trilogy in a remarkably creative three-year period. Here he set up a home that would remain his […]","datePublished":"2018-01-05","dateModified":"2018-01-05","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\/2018\/01\/bowie-volvo-262c-feature.jpg","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/bowie-volvo-262c-feature.jpg","height":520,"width":1200},"url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/david-bowies-rare-volvo\/","about":["CLASSIC CARS","LATEST CAR NEWS"],"wordCount":427,"keywords":["Auction car","classic car","david bowie","volvo","Volvo 262C"],"articleBody":"In 1976 it seemed that David Bowie\u2019s life was falling apart; the destructive trappings and excesses that rock stars can be so susceptible to were beginning to overshadow his burgeoning fame and fortune. To escape the drugs and his tax issues, Bowie left California for the clean, pure air of Switzerland. A fresh start that would see the release of the renowned Berlin Trilogy in a remarkably creative three-year period. Here he set up a home that would remain his main residence until 1982.Fast-forward to late 2017 and Switzerland is again the location for an intriguing insight into Bowie\u2019s life; on December 29 the car once owned by David Bowie was to be auctioned \u2013 and the amount of money it would make could have probably swept aside some of the rock star\u2019s 1976 money issues in one fell swoop.The 2.6-litre V6 powered 1981 Volvo 262C was a luxury coup\u00e9 based on the 200 Series, with the drivetrain, floorpan and suspension being taken directly from the 260 sedan – all under the experienced watchful eye of Gruppo Bertone in Turin. The car featured electric windows, central locking and electric mirrors as well as an early version of cruise control and air conditioning. Not too bad for a car from the early eighties.Only 6,620 models of the Volvo 262C were produced making it rare enough on its own, but a copy of the original service booklet and the original registration document with the name \u2018David Robert Jones\u2019 had auction house Oldtimer Galerie hoping that the car would fetch in the region of 65,000 Swiss francs (around \u00a349,000).They couldn\u2019t have been more wrong: the auction went ahead and the final sale figure was in the region of 212,800 Swiss francs – around \u00a3160,960.The luxury Volvo 262C also features leather seats and a full set of alloy wheels. It was designed by Bertone and Volvo to compete with the likes of the Cadillac Eldorado specifically in the American market – although this particular model was delivered to Bowie\u2019s Swiss residence in the summer of 1981. Extras specified for Bowie\u2019s car included Blaupunkt speakers as part of the Volvo hi-fi system and a 3-speed transmission. With just 33,000 miles on the clock and the car in fine original condition, the huge selling price is starting to sound quite reasonable for a David Bowie fan looking for something unique to treasure.Oldtimer Galerie\u2019s brochure description of this very special Volvo read: \u201cFor admirers of the exceptionally talented David Bowie, this Volvo 262C certainly offers a unique opportunity to own a small part of pop history and the geniuses\u2019 life.\u201d"},{"@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":"David Bowie’s Rare Volvo Sells for \u00a3160,000","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/david-bowies-rare-volvo\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]