Page 60 - Classics Issue

The 250 GTO’s speedometer was mounted behind the gear stick on the transmission tunnel.produced some are still in the hands of car enthusiasts but the majority are now owned by mega-rich billionaire tycoons rock stars, clothing manufacturers, software, telecom giants and bankers.Here is a recent list of the owners and their cars.Top of the list of these owners is Robson “Rob” Walton. Owning over 12% of Walmart in the USA and ASDA closer to home since 1999. Forbes claims his wealth is $37 billion. Among the many cars in his collection, he has acquired not one but three GTOs.Next must be Anthony Bamford, now Lord Bamford. The Chairman of JCB Excavators he, according to The Sunday Times Rich list 2017 has a net worth of £3.3 billion. (Pre-Brexit) He is the owner of two GTOs both are RHD Series l’s but one has Series ll coachwork.Another car in England is owned by Nick Mason, famous for being the drummer of the band Pink Floyd. Though not exactly a mogul he is certainly very rich and has an impressive collection of cars. I am told he was lucky enough to buy the car from a friend of mine Ronnie Stern for $54,000 in 1978. He has the registration number 250 GTO and sometimes parks this beauty on the streets of London. If the car were to be sold today this would be roughly 100 fold return on his initial investment. Although I have no idea how wealthy a drummer from a successful pop group might have been in 1978 but for sure he is very comfortable now. The Sunday Times Rich list 2017 has him at £80 million.