George Harrison's classic Aston Martin car up 18% in value in four years

Beatle George Harrison's 1964 Aston Martin has sold for $550,000 at Coys' classic car auction

A 1964 Aston Martin DB5, once owned by Beatle George Harrison, has sold for £350,000 at a Coys auction in London, far above its £200,000 estimate.

The DB5/1896/R, which was handed over to the lead guitarist on January 1, 1965, was bought by an anonymous US collector earlier this month.

The vehicle, which had once been housed in a Tokyo museum, had previously sold for $464,736 (£296,100) in 2007.

That's an 18% rise in value in four years - evidence of the strong market for Beatles memorabilia and classic cars right now.

The buoyant vintage cars sector offers investors the opportunity to diversify into exciting and potentially profitable new areas, explained Chris Routledge, the managing director of Coys.

Harrison’s classic DB5 car beat its auction pre-sale estimate by £150,000

"There is no doubt that many people who in the past invested in stocks and shares are now looking to classic cars as a good investment for the future," he commented.

Aston Martins are highly collectible in their own right and have sold for more than $400,000 in the past.

However, the Harrison name will have added significant value to the car, such is the clamour for memorabilia related to the star.

Harrison has been the best performing signature on the industry's PFC40 Autograph Index since 2000.

His death in 2001 has contributed to the sharp rise in value: up 26.10% pa, from £195 in 2000 to £1,500 today.

The 'best' Beatle for collectors?

In doing so, Harrison's signature has 'outperformed' both John Lennon and Paul McCartney - making Harrison the 'best' Beatle in terms of growth of his average autograph value.

Beatles signatures as a whole are strong performers. The average value of autograph album pages containing all four Beatle signatures has risen by 10.62% pa since 2000, according to the index.

We have a rare opportunity for you to own an autograph album page containing the signatures of all four Beatles, for just £8,500 (approx. $13,340).

Recent and related articles

·John F Kennedy's hearse set for Barrett-Jackson classic car auction | 19 December 2011

·George Daniels car collection speeds into Goodwood Festival for Bonhams auction | 14 December 2011

·Classic Grant-Norton Jaguar car - 'most historically important' - auctions at H&H | 13 December 2011

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Images: Coys