_Classic car investment special: Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason on why he loves his Ferrari 250 GTO
Numbers don’t lie - Ferrari totally dominates the highest echelons of the classic car world.
Of all the cars ever sold at auction for more than $5m, over 60% were born in Maranello. Leading the pack in dollar terms is a 250 GTO that Bonhams sold for over $38m at its 2014 Quail Lodge auction.
But collectors desperate to own one of these iconic Ferraris have reportedly paid far more privately – a leading UK dealer currently has one on its books for over $50m. However, Nick Mason, the sticks man for legendary rock group Pink Floyd, isn’t one of them. His GTO cost him “just” £37,000 when he bought it in 1977.
“It was a lot of money back then and people said I was mad, but it’s turned out to be a pretty good investment,” says Mr Mason, who reckons he has owned between 20 and 30 Ferraris over the years, including an Enzo and F40.
Speculation, however, wasn’t part of the reason for buying any of them, he insists. He just loves driving beautiful cars, preferably very fast - he has competed at Le Mans five times - and doesn’t have much time for investors who keep their cars locked away. “I don’t think it’s a wise thing to do, it’s like buying wine even if you don’t like it.”
Image - Mick Mason playing drums with Pink Floyd at Live8
"It’s like buying wine even if you don’t like it"
And besides, he adds, cars need to be driven. “They don’t improve if they’re not being used. Their value can even increase if you drive them and establish your own history.”
So how, I wonder, does Mr Mason have the time to ensure all the cars in his collection – he has around 40 – get to taste the tarmac. “It’s not that difficult,” he laughs. “All my family love racing as well; between us we have about a dozen competition licences.” His son in law Marino Franchitti is even a professional racing driver.
Favourites
When I ask if the Ferrari 250 GTO, which he still races, is his favourite car as well as being the most valuable, Mr Mason seems torn. “It probably is, but then again I love my pre-war 1935 Aston Martin because it was the first car that I raced.”
He also starts to wax lyrical about his “Birdcage” Maserati Tipo 61. “It was the best of all racing cars in terms of balance and was wonderful for an amateur to drive. But the GTO does tick all the boxes. It’s got the history, it looks great and it makes me look very clever for buying it.”
When I try to pin Mr Mason down on his favourite overall marque, he is equally loathe to commit. “Ferrari would definitely be high on the list, but
"I’m a bit of a tart when it comes to cars"
, I’m not that dedicated to anybody. Maserati made some very good racing cars and McLarens are amazing. The F1 is probably the modern equivalent of the 250 GTO.”
But when I ask if, in his view, modern supercars with all their hi-tech wizardry can ever really capture the romance of the classic Ferraris, Astons and Maseratis, he is unambiguous. “Oh yes, the current generation of enthusiasts is far less enamoured with actually getting a spanner out to work on their cars themselves.
“I was initially a bit worried that all the software would go out of date, but there are a lot of bright people learning how to substitute the systems.”
Adrenaline rush
Shooting the breeze about the cars with Mr Mason, it’s easy to forget that I’m talking to rock royalty, Pink Floyd is, after all, considered one of the most innovative and influential bands of all time. Is there any comparison between the adrenaline rush of being on stage and shifting through the gears competitively on the track?
“They are completely different,” explains Mr Mason. When you’re racing the risks are far greater, being on a stage is relatively safe.” But playing gigs to crowds of over 100,000 people must have been quite nerve wracking, I push? “Well, by the time you’re doing concerts that big you generally know you’re pretty good at it,” he shoots back.
Talking of adrenalin rushes, we chat about his most memorable racing moments. For somebody who has owned so many amazing cars there are plenty, but top of the list he says was winning the support race at the 1993 British Grand Prix in his “Birdcage.” Although racing at Le Mans and “coming down the Mulsanne Straight for the first time was pretty special,” he adds.
Image - Nick Mason races his Ferrari 250 GTO
"Coming down the Mulsanne Straight was pretty special"
To round up our conversation I wonder if there are any cars that Mr Mason would still like to own: “As I get older I’m doing less racing so it might be something that I could restore and put back on the road, perhaps a drum-brake sports car. I’ve not got an eagle eye out for a particular model, it’s more the history of the car that gets to me, I’m a sucker for a good backstory.”
And if ever Mr Mason does decide to sell his treasured 250 GTO, you can be sure his own contribution to its backstory will help ensure it continues Ferrari’s domination at the top end of the classic car market.
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