A vintage Rat Pack car, once used to ferry members of Frank Sinatra’s famous A-list playmates around Hollywood, is coming up for auction.
The 1961 Ghia L6.4 was built for the late British actor Peter Lawford by Italian coachbuilder Carrozzeria Ghia.
Lawford joined Sammy Davis Jnr, Dean Martin and Joey Bishop, amongst others, in Sinatra’s gang of Hollywood hellraisers in the early 1960s.
Lawford’s Rat Pack car was the first and one of only 26 production L6.4s to leave the factory, making it one of the rarest cars in the world.
Rat Pack cars were donated to many of Sinatra’s “gang”
Members of the Rat Pack were donated cars which were modified by celebrity auto customiser George Barris, creator of the legendary 1960s Batmobile.
Lawford owned the Ghia for a year, during which time he transformed it into a little bit of Hollywood folklore, before selling it to a collector.
The current owner bought the Rat Pack Car in 2006 and commissioned a three year restoration of its bodywork and interior. It’s now in pristine condition.
The Ghia, which has 40,000 miles on the clock, will go under the hammer at RM Sotheby‘s auction in Monterey on Friday (August 18).
Rat Pack car was “ultimate 1960s status symbol”
An RM Sotheby’s spokesman said: “The Ghia L6.4 was the ultimate automotive status symbol of the early 1960s.
“This is particularly desirable as the first production model ever built.
“It is further set apart as one of a handful of cars that received custom modifications by the legendary George Barris, and known as a Rat Pack car.”
Provenance of Rat Pack car will add to value
“Generally speaking, prominent celebrity or notable provenance can add value to the sale price of any collectible car.
“It’s important to note this example boasts other factors of collectability including rarity and condition.
“The Ghia will likely sell to a collector interested in limited production collector cars.”
As well as being a Hollywood actor, Lawford is famous for being former US president John F. Kennedy’s brother-in-law and the last person to speak to Marilyn Monroe.
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