Diego Maradona’s 1992 convertible Porsche 911 to be sold at auction

A stunning early 1990s Porsche 911 first owned and driven by legendary footballer Diego Maradona will be sold at auction for the first time.

The 1992 model, purchased by ‘El Diego’ in 1992 during his final season playing in Europe at Sevilla, will be sold next month at the Bonhams Les Grand Marques Du Monde à Paris Sale.

The car, which Maradona was driving when stopped by armed police in the Spanish city centre for speeding at 120mph, is estimated the achieve a figure in the region of €150,000 to €200,000 (£132,000 to £175,000). 

However, since the Argentine’s death in November last year, the winning bid could far exceed those figures as demand for one of the world’s all-time great player’s previous items and memorabilia begins to increase.

El Diego’s motor: This 1992 Porsche 911 was bought new by the late Diego Maradona to be sold at auction

Off-pitch, Maradona was known to appreciate beautiful and exotic motor cars. 

This example from the footballer’s previous collection is a 1992 Porsche 911 Type 964 Carrera 2 Convertible Works Turbo Look, which was delivered new to the World Cup winner in November 1992.

It was driven by the Argentinian icon during his last season of European football, playing for Sevilla.

He had moved to the Spanish giants after serving a 15-month ban for failing a drug test for cocaine while playing in Italy for Napoli – the club team synonymous with Maradona.

The Argentine football hero took delivery of the car in 1992 - the year he signed for Sevilla from Napoli after his 15-month ban following a positive cocaine test

The Argentine football hero took delivery of the car in 1992 – the year he signed for Sevilla from Napoli after his 15-month ban following a positive cocaine test

Maradona signed for the Spanish side for £4.5million at the age of 31. He played for just one season, which was his last in European football

Maradona signed for the Spanish side for £4.5million at the age of 31. He played for just one season, which was his last in European football

Maradona used the Porsche being sold by Bonhams to travel to and from training with the Spanish side that season

Maradona used the Porsche being sold by Bonhams to travel to and from training with the Spanish side that season

Having left Naples in disgrace, he played for Sevilla for one season from 1992 to 1993, having turned down approaches from Real Madrid and Marseille.

He joined the Spanish side for £4.5million – a fee partly covered by former Italian president, Silvio Berlusconi’s, Italian media company on the guarantee that Sevilla would commit to playing a series of showpiece friendlies. 

Maradona, who was made team captain of the Spanish club, rented the villa of Juan Antonio Ruiz Roman, Spain’s most famous bullfighter, and took delivery of this Porsche on 6 November 1992. 

The Porsche is one of just 1,200 964 Carrera 2 Convertible Works Turbo Look variants produced in a two-year run, so already has significance with collectors before you take into account the original owner

The Porsche is one of just 1,200 964 Carrera 2 Convertible Works Turbo Look variants produced in a two-year run, so already has significance with collectors before you take into account the original owner

Maradona left Sevilla after one season

The Porsche meanwhile was sold to a private owner on the island of Majorca who kept it for twenty years before it passed through the hands of several French collectors

Maradona left Sevilla after one season. The Porsche meanwhile was sold to a private owner on the island of Majorca who kept it for twenty years before it passed through the hands of several French collectors

Maradona was caught speeding in this very motor by armed police in the Spanish city. He was clocked travelling at 120mph after jumping a red light in the Porsche

Maradona was caught speeding in this very motor by armed police in the Spanish city. He was clocked travelling at 120mph after jumping a red light in the Porsche

The car was a regular sight to fans on his drive to and from football training.

It is one of just 1,200 964 Carrera 2 Convertible Works Turbo Look variants produced in a two-year run.

It is powered by a 250bhp 3.6-litre Carrera 2 engine, with a top speed of 162mph.

And Maradona was found putting the Porsche’s incredible performance to the test, when he was famously stopped by armed police for jumping a red light and speeding at 180kmh (120mph) in the city centre.

Despite starting well with an early 3-1 victory over Bayern Munich in a showpiece ‘friendly’ Maradona made more headlines with his off-pitch decadent party lifestyle, despite his god-like status.

The 911 is powered by a 250bhp 3.6-litre Carrera 2 engine, with a top speed of 162mph

The 911 is powered by a 250bhp 3.6-litre Carrera 2 engine, with a top speed of 162mph

Owned by the vendor since 2016 it is now offered in practically original yet well-preserved condition, having covered just 75,000 miles from new

Owned by the vendor since 2016 it is now offered in practically original yet well-preserved condition, having covered just 75,000 miles from new

With Maradona's passing late last year and a resulting increase in demand for the famous player's previous items, the cars higher estimate of £175,000 could easily be eclipsed

With Maradona’s passing late last year and a resulting increase in demand for the famous player’s previous items, the cars higher estimate of £175,000 could easily be eclipsed

His recall to Argentina’s national team marked the beginning of the end of his ‘forgotten season’ with Seville and Maradona left the club in June 1993. 

The Porsche meanwhile was sold to a private owner on the island of Majorca who kept it for twenty years before it passed through the hands of several French collectors. 

Owned by the vendor since 2016 it is now offered in practically original yet well-preserved condition, having covered just 120,000kms (75,000 miles) since new.

Commenting on the availability of the car, Paul Darvill, Bonhams European Auctions Manager, said: ‘We are delighted to present this quintessential ’90s Porsche with its very colourful and unique provenance, which will appeal to many football enthusiast collectors worldwide.’ 

The car comes with a number of items of paperwork showing the famous football to be the first owner

The car comes with a number of items of paperwork showing the famous football to be the first owner

This logbook is also signed in Maradona's full name and the address he lived during his year in Seville

This logbook is also signed in Maradona’s full name and the address he lived during his year in Seville 

Maradona, seen here in 1992, died on 25 November 2020 from a heart attack. Argentina declared three days of national mourning

Maradona, seen here in 1992, died on 25 November 2020 from a heart attack. Argentina declared three days of national mourning

Diego Maradona died on 25 November 2020, at the age of 60, after suffering a heart attack at his home in Dique Luján, Buenos Aires.

His home nation declared three days of mourning for its most famous player. 

The coffin of the national hero – draped in Argentina’s national flag and three Maradona number 10 jerseys – was placed in at the Presidential Palace, the Casa Rosada, with mourners given access to pay their respects to the footballing icon. 

Maradona’s wake was attended by tens of thousands of people, but was cut short by his family as his coffin was relocated from the rotunda of the Presidential Palace after fans took over an inner courtyard and also clashed with police.

The Bonhams sale takes place in the French capital on 3 March. 

Sir Elton John’s Maserati up for grabs too 

This 2005 Maserati Quattroporte was first owned b Sir Elton John. It will be sold in an online auction later this month

This 2005 Maserati Quattroporte was first owned b Sir Elton John. It will be sold in an online auction later this month

If near-£200,00 for Maradona’s Porsche is a bit too steep, how about this low mileage 2005 Maserati Quattroporte first owned by Sir Elton John?

The car is available in an online classic car auction, hosted by The Market, from 18 to 25 February, with an estimated selling price of £15,000 to £40,000.

Added to Sir Elton’s extensive collection of thoroughbred cars, this particular Italian beauty features a whole host of extras which ensured Elton and his passengers were transported in complete luxury and comfort. 

Some of the added bells and whistles of mid-noughties nostalgia include a rear DVD player and screen, games input, two headphones, remote control and a six CD autochanger.

Having been purchased by the current vendor in 2016, the car has covered just 1,000 miles since then and has been dry stored for some of that time, adding to its well-preserved condition. 

The V8 car’s odometer shows it has covered just 28,493 miles during its lifetime and is backed up with a host of main dealer and specialist service stamps, to further authenticate and confirm the care and attention it has received so far. 

The car is fitted with additional extra, such as rear screens and DVD players, to ensure Sir Elton and his passengers could travel in luxury

The car is fitted with additional extra, such as rear screens and DVD players, to ensure Sir Elton and his passengers could travel in luxury

The winning bidder will also receive the official Maserati welcome letter addressed to ‘Mr John’ and a copy of the original V5 certificate donning Sir Elton’s name and the current number plates.

‘Sir Elton is a national treasure and a global superstar, who has impeccable taste when it comes to buying cars,’ comments Tristan Judge, director, The Market. 

‘Indeed, the car is in excellent condition and has evidentially been treated like a celebrity itself over the years.’   

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