Bentley owned by Gregory Peck for 34 years goes to auction
Gregory Peck loved his 1961 Bentley S2 Continental Flying Spur so much that he kept it for 34 years. The very same car is set to be auctioned on 17th January by RM Auctions.
Offered without reserve and with a guide of £137,000 to £182,000 ($225,000 to $300,000), the four-door car was sold by Christie’s on behalf of Gregory Peck (1916 – 2003) in 1996 and fetched £29,329 ($48,300). The purchaser was the grandson of Peck’s friend Dr Armand Hammer, businessman and philanthropist Michael Hammer.
Originally commissioned by a Mr Jean Lambert, the car was reassigned to Mrs Corinne G. Kocens of Houston, Texas after he withdrew his order. Kocens had little opportunity to enjoy the car as she passed away the following year and was sold shortly after to Peck – who allegedly bought the vehicle to celebrate the release of To Kill a Mockingbird.
The Bentley has been recommissioned during Hammer’s ownership and now features British Racing Green paint, a light tan interior and green carpeting. Special features number electrically operated windows, full air conditioning and a Sundym glass windscreen.
123 inches in length, this “piece of Hollywood history” is a spectacular beast. It will undoubtedly be the star of RM Auctions’ Arizona sale.
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Photo credits: © 2014 Courtesy of RM Auctions