Eight used cars with famous former owners coming up for sale

It's not every day you can get your hands on a car with a famous past, but this motley lot is set to go under the hammer by Iconic Auctioneers at its NEC sale next month.

So if you fancy yourself a car fit for a queen... try this Range Rover Vogue for size. The former chariot of choice of HM Queen Elizabeth (with an almost identical example owned by one Jeremy Clarkson), it received a once over from Special Vehicle Operations prior to its delivery in 2007, including rear grab handles and dog guard – because where the Queen went, her beloved Corgis weren’t too far behind. After leaving Royal service, it made its way into private hands, with the clock now showing just over 120,000 miles.

Estimate: £50,000 to £60,000

Volkswagen’s collaboration with rock band Pink Floyd in the mid-1990s produced this, the Golf Cabriolet Pink Floyd Edition – with this particular example ending up in the hands of drummer, racing driver and all-round car enthusiast Nick Mason. Bought as a restoration product, it features unique badging, colour coded trim, upholstery inspired by the band’s 1994 European tour, and of course, a premium audio system. The sale includes a collection of Pink Floyd memorabilia, with the car itself also signed by Nick.

Estimate: Offered without reserve

A car that needs no explanation, other than to say that this Jaguar E-Type belongs to none other than Rowan Atkinson – and featured in Netflix’s and his Man vs Bee epic. Seriously, if you haven’t seen it, that’s your homework sorted for the weekend. Following its on-screen exploits, it was restored to factory fresh condition, aside from the nearside rear quarter. There you’ll find a hole, caused by Rowan’s character in the show, which has been rubber sealed back into the wing at his request – a reminder of its starring role.

Estimate: Offered without reserve

Ordered from new and owned until a couple of years ago by everyone’s favourite hapless romantic Hugh Grant (who registered it on his personal plate APE V12), this Aston Martin Vanquish gets a built in phone, stereo with CD player, air conditioning, and original Aston Martin umbrella. Plus room for any toddlers in the back. It also comes with a full service history including 13 main dealer stamps, with the odometer currently reading 39,738 miles. As if you needed another excuse to watch Love Actually this Christmas…

Estimate: £40,000 to £45,000

Gifted to The Jam frontman and Mercedes aficionado Paul Weller on his 38th birthday in 1996 by his father, this W114 250 saloon remained in his possession for the next 18 years, during which time he wrote Driving Nowhere, Heavy Soul and All on a Misty Morning. After its sale in 2014 it ended up in private hands where it underwent a full restoration, and was later authenticated at Weller’s Black Barn studio, where he signed the centre console. As far as birthday presents go… this ain’t a bad one.

Estimate: £40,000 to £50,000

Almost as papped as its former owner, this 2003 Range Rover Vogue (complete with V8 powerplant) was Kate Moss’s daily transport during her early career, with a minor accident involving its right wing mirror making it famous in the tabloids, and an identical model owned by Moss’ then next-door neighbour, George Michael. It was owned by Moss for several years before it passed into private hands, with the listing describing it as “presentable but honest”. And hopefully with one repaired wing mirror.

Estimate: £10,000 to £15,000

Ford’s legendary Focus Mk1 WRC started a total of 173 events during its long career, and was the outright winner at the 2000 Rally of Cyprus in the hands of Carlos Sainz and Luis Moya, before it became part of WRC folklore thanks to Colin McRae's heroic battle through the snow back to ninth at the 2001 WRC Swedish Rally. The following year it was purchased by Norwegian Valter Jensen, who entered it into several domestic rallies in his nearly quarter of a century ownership. Can someone get this thing back on the rally scene already?

Estimate: £380,000 to £420,000

Or better yet, bring your mate along in this too. The Stobart VK Ford World Rally Team car competed in 17 rounds of the World Rally Championship from 2008 through to 2010, driven by some rather handy names including Matthew Wilson, Gianluigi Galli, Henning Solberg and Valentino Rossi. Following its retirement it was sold to a private team in Italy, before it returned to Ireland in 2022 and was rebuilt to Works specification and refinished in period correct 2009 Rally RACC Catalunya livery. Beats your fake ST stickers.

Estimate: £290,000 to £320,000