Pink Floyd drummer and AC/DC frontman go for a spin in a $50 Million Ferrari 250 GTO. By Gabriel Vega on April 11, 2021.
Chances are you’ll likely never see a Ferrari 250 GTO in person. With a valuation of more than $50 million, these ultra-rare Ferraris seldom see the light of day.
However, Brian Johnson - lead singer of AC/DC - and Nick Mason, drummer for Pink Floyd, decided to meet up and take this rare machine for a spin.
The pair took the car out for Johnson’s show on YouTube, A Life On The Road. Given the car’s worth, Johnson sat passenger as Mason did all of the driving.
Additionally, we get a sneak peek at Mason’s extensive collection of rare cars.
How much is a Ferrari 250 GTO worth?
Ferrari 250 GTO. Brian Johnson TV via YouTube.
The Ferrari 250 GTO was built originally in the 1960s as a homologation special so the carmaker could compete in the Group 3 Grand Touring Car category. Under its hood lies a naturally-aspirated V12 engine pushing out 296 hp and 217 lb-ft. While that might not seem like a lot, this racing machine weighed in at around 2,000 lb.
A total of 36 Ferrari 250 GTOs left the factory back in the 1960s. 33 of these cars built between 1962 to 1963 featured what Ferrari called the Series I body style. The last three cars built in 1964 featured an updated Series II body.
If you wanted one of these cars back in the 1960s, you needed two main things. The first was $18,000 since that was the car’s MSRP in the U.S. In today’s money, we’re talking about around $156,000. The second important item was company founder Enzo Ferrari’s approval since he didn’t sell cars to anyone.
However, given the Ferrari 250 GTO’s racing history, these cars have skyrocketed in price. Since most of these are a part of motorsport history, they can sell for up to $50 million today.
Nick Mason
Nick Mason is the long-lasting drummer for unbelievable and super persuasive rock band Pink Floyd.
Pink Floyd.
What’s more, his time in the band has given him the assets to bear the cost of an amazing auto gathering.
Nick Mason with his Ferrari 166 Corsa car at the Cartier's Homage to Ferrari exhibition at the Cartier Foundation of Contemporary Arts in Paris, May 22nd 1987. Photo by Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images.
Nick Mason beside his Ferrari 550MM Carrera Panamerica at the St Mawes Classic car Festival, Cornwall, England, 10 May 2012.
At the point when Nick Mason isn’t playing drums in Pink Floyd, he is caught up with tending to the more than 40 uncommon and top of the line vehicles he possesses.
Nick has a specific affection for Italian games autos. The absolute most noteworthy autos in Nick Mason’s gathering incorporate a Bugatti T35, an Aston Martin LM18, a Ferrari 213 T3, McLaren F1, Porsche 962 and the scandalous Ferrari 250 GTO, that is esteemed at more than $20 million.
Cockpit of Nick Mason’s 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO.
Nick Mason is not modest about demonstrating the autos off to different gatherers or giving individuals a chance to see them at car appears the world over.
Interview: “Passion for Speed” – Pink Floyd’s Nick Mason. October 15, 2010.
It’s almost fitting that as I walk into the room, the legendary Pink Floyd drummer is just the same as he has been on stage for the past few decades – sat out of the limelight, quietly getting on with his thing.
Nick Mason is here signing copies of his latest book, “Passion for Speed”, which is the second update to his successful 1998 book, “Into the Red”, in which he reviewed his enviable car collection.
This fantastic latest offering sees Mason’s collection swell to 24 cars with the two latest additions hailing from Italy in the form of the Alfa Romeo TZ and Ferrari Enzo.
Despite being a product and pioneer of the 20th century psychedelic rock scene, Mason is completely unlike most rock stars from that era that were often famed for crazy antics involving drugs, driving Rolls Royces into swimming pools and spending every penny they ever earned.
Mason is an intelligent and reserved individual who through a combination of his musical talents and shrewd investments has managed to build a collection of cars from Gilles Villeneuve’s ex-F1 racer to a Porsche 962 that Mason raced himself in the Le Mans 24 hours.
We caught up with Nick Mason to talk about his latest book and some of his most memorable driving experiences.
Our short conversation ended up going in many directions, from crashing exotic Ferraris into Renault 5s to whether Pink Floyd would work on X-Factor. We hope you enjoy the read and encourage you to check out Nick Mason’s book (and audio CD) to read and hear more about his wonderful collection.
“Passion for Speed” now features an Alfa Romeo TZ and Ferrari Enzo – what is it about these two cars that merited updating your book?
“I think because it particularly rounds it all up as 100 years of motor cars. The Enzo rounds the book up well as the thing with the Porsche 962 finishing the last book is that it’s quite an old car in comparison. The Enzo is the modern and digital style of everything even though it’s now been superseded by the 458”.
Mason indicates his next purchase is likely to be less manic than some in his collection like his 1983 Tyrrell 011 seen here.
What car would you next love to add to the collection?
“I think it’s probably something older and slower. Actually, what it would probably be and what I’d quite like is another drum brake racing car, because it’s very good racing with those sorts of cars. And it’s the sort of thing that I’d like racing and so would my family.
The trouble is I’ve got a number of cars now that mean I’ve grown too … it’s not that I’ve grown too old, it’s that I’ve grown too frightened! So there’s that thing of ‘do I really want to frighten myself stupid?’ And the answer is not as much as I used to!”
Are there any cars that you regret buying or selling?
“Yes. I regret pretty much everything I’ve ever sold. Sometimes it’s been necessary though. I regret things I was offered and there are a couple of cars I was glad to see the back of.
I had an Indianapolis 1950s style car that was such a horror to drive, even Fangio turned it down so I knew I was agreeing with the right people.
I did eventually sell the BRM V16 and I was glad to eventually see the back of that because it’s a wonderful car but it’s a bit like having a Grand Prix Mercedes or Auto Union – much better operated by a factory or someone with unlimited resources. It’s a fantastic sounding car, but it’s a hell of a lot of money to spend on a nice sound, so I think I’d rather go for something I can really drive and enjoy.”
You’re obviously a big Ferrari fan, why is that?
“I think it’s interesting how Ferrari has this effect particularly on small boys and they’re stuck with it for life. I suspect it’s a bit like a football team – once you’re there you can’t get away from it. I think Ferrari just has that magic and they’re so synonymous with Formula 1 and motorsport because they’ve just been doing it for so long and never stopped and that’s the thing.
So many manufacturers came in, went, came back in and so on. Ferrari has this continuity that goes all the way through and they’ve a rather romantic ideology. You know, there is an element about Ferrari that is about tragedy and an emotional side that you won’t find with Porsche perhaps.”
Nick Mason on a Ferrari 312 T3.
“Passion for speed” features many Ferraris including Gilles Villeneuve's 1978 Ferrari 312 T3.
“Passion for Speed” features Gilles Villeneuve’s 1978 Ferrari 312 T3, did you ever meet the great man?
“No I didn’t but I’ve met Jacques a few times. I don’t think I ever went to Formula 1 races around that time as we were hard at work!”
Now Pink Floyd no longer tours or produces albums, how do you currently spend your days?
Despite no longer touring, Mason's still heavily involved with improving the Pink Floyd back catalogue.
“Well funnily enough there’s still a lot of music business going on. First of all our catalogue still needs a lot of work done on it, we’re still re-mastering things and putting them in a digital format. It’s a really tough industry at the moment – there are a lot less record sales – so we’re looking at ways of maybe using the music, so it’s something that’s still very much alive.
I’m also involved in the FAC (Featured Artists Coalition) which is really a political angle of music and looking at ways artists can make a living this century because it’s so much more difficult than when we were young.”
Would you be able to achieve what Pink Floyd has already if you started now?
“I think it would be really difficult. On X-Factor we’d be off just like that! It’s interesting as I suspect so would a lot of other bands from that era but I suspect Elvis would still have won. So it covers certain things but not others.
There might have been a way for us to do it, but it would have required a lot and it’s more difficult than originally as you can’t rely on the records to give you an income over time.”
What would you say has been your best ever road driving experience? Is it the drive back home from Modena in your F40 with David (Gilmour) behind in his?
“Well that was good but it wasn’t the greatest experience because yes, there was the moment you felt the power coming in and so forth, but then there was the bit when the Gendarmerie pulled us over and took the licences off us, which was less exciting!
Things like the Carrera Panamericana excite me as you have memorable scenery to drive through. So it’s things like the Mille Miglia and the Carrera where you’re driving through these historic events so you’re experiencing some of that historic landscape.”
Although having blitzed home from Modena in his F40, Mason claims his most memorable drives have come at events.
“Something like the GTO Rally though is fantastic to be driving in company with similar cars and I have that whole sort of gang mentality!”
Have you had any big or embarrassing accidents over the years?
“Touch wood nothing big! The most embarrassing accident was once when I was coming home and we had a house in north London that was on a steep hill and I had a metallic bronze Dino at the time. I came back a bit too quickly, hit the brakes but went into the back of my BMW that was parked outside which then went forward into the nanny’s Renault 5 … that was a great explanation on the insurance claim form – three cars damaged, but just one driver!”
Did you expect him to say anything else if faced with the choice of only driving one of his cars again? The beautiful Ferrari 250 GTO.
If you could only drive one car from “Passion for Speed” again, which one would it be?
“Oh it’s always the GTO because it does everything so well. Apart from the value which means it’s immediately …! It’s the best all-rounder and I think that’s part of the reason why some cars are particularly loved by people – if you can race it, rally it and just use it, it has a hell of a lot of an advantage over something that’s just say a track car.”
You’re obviously known for owning numerous exotic cars, but what are your opinions on small, compact and low cost cars? For example, what do you think about Gordon Murray’s T25 city car project?
“I’m “really” looking forward to driving it. I was talking to Gordon quite recently and I think it’s the future of motoring. I think the tendency at the moment for regular road cars to get wider and longer and even a Volkswagen Golf now looks like it’s been on steroids.
The problem is if you live in London now you just take it for granted that you can’t get cars to pass in the street, we just don’t have an environment that is suited to the cars that we’re building.”
If one of your sons was making “Passion for Speed 2040”, what cars from today do you think would make that particular edition?
“Well I think some of the cars in it now will have lasted. As for cars out now, the Bugatti Veyron. Maybe the F40 as it’s quite easy to look after but I think the Enzo will be superseded in time by other Ferraris. And then the first of the small cars, so perhaps the first of the battery powered cars … they’ll be pretty useless – the G-Whizz will be the next Sinclair C5!
The problem is it’s a bit like digital cameras. The first digital camera was expensive and had very few pixels whereas now for a quarter of the price you get something twice as good. So I think with batteries until you’ve got a car that can compete with a fuel car, i.e. have a range of at minimum 200 miles, they’re all going to be obsolete because I think battery improvements will come, I’m sure.
I’m trying to think what else might be important in twenty or thirty years’ time but the problem is there are fewer and fewer “odd ball cars” so it’s almost too early to tell really.”
Nick Mason's Ferrari 250 GTO. Celebrating 70 years of Ferrari on the front drive of Goodwood House at Goodwood on 1st July 2017 in Chichester, England. Photo by Michael Cole/Corbis via Getty Images.
Nick Mason’s 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO at Goodwood Festival of Speed in 2017.
You have one tank of petrol left to use however you wish – which car and where would you use it?
“Probably a blast around the Nordschleife and I think it would be in the GTO … and then roll it on the last bend and just go … voila!”
Nick Mason, October 2010.
“Passion for Speed” by Nick Mason and Mark Hales is available now from all good book shops.
Nick Mason.
Me and my motor: Nick Mason of Pink Floyd recalls a “stupid” car investment with a £30m return. Rough buys and sound investments. Published 15 March 2016 by Pat Malone.
Nick Mason has amassed one of the world’s most celebrated car collections, yet he remains dissatisfied. The Pink Floyd drummer’s warehouse is home to a priceless hoard of Ferraris, Maseratis, Aston Martins, Bugattis and Porsches, but what’s missing, he feels, is a certain 1930 Austin Seven.
Not just any old Seven, but the Chummy with the registration MT 5109, for which he paid £20 in 1962. Since then perhaps as many as 300 cars have passed through his hands and, while he regrets selling almost every one, he particularly hankers after the car that propelled him from teenage pedestrian to full-on motorist.
So much so, in fact, that he once engaged a sleuth to track it down, with no luck. “Such a shame,” says Mason wistfully. “My mum and dad towed it home for me with our Mk 2 Jaguar, Mum driving the Jag and Dad in the Austin — I just had a provisional licence. But one day I drove it to Beaulieu and it got all the way there and back!”
His yearning is tempered by the memory of all the times the Chummy stood outside his home in Hampstead Garden Suburb waiting to be fixed — and those fixes were not always of a professional standard.
“I remember Aralditing the exhaust studs in,” he says. “I knew nothing of taps and dies back then. And when it was going, it was notably slow — 45mph flat-out. I can’t remember who I sold it to, but I bought a rather speedier 1934 Austin Nippy — my first step on the slippery slope …”
Mason knows his stuff. A five-time Le Mans competitor, he race-prepped his cars himself and has a fathomless knowledge of car design and manufacture, as well as racing history.
While outsiders fixate on the value of his collection — his Ferrari 250 GTO alone is said to be worth £30m — nobody mentions his Trabant, his Sinclair C5 or his Model T Ford, once owned by Coco the Clown.
“Most of my collection has a racing pedigree and I’ve raced many of the cars myself, but their increasing value is incidental,”he says. “People who pay a lot of money for a car have one thing in common — they all feel complete idiots, no matter how rich they are. When I paid £35,000 for the 250 GTO in 1977, I felt naggingly stupid to be spending so much — I certainly didn’t buy it because I thought it would be worth £30m in 2016.”
This is not a poor man’s pastime. Mason sold his 1950s BRM V16 Formula One car after calculating that it would have been cheaper to cover the total distance it had driven with Wilton carpet. And while every car in the collection is kept in working order, he no longer uses them as runabouts.
“I once took the kids to school in the Ferrari 250 GTO because the other cars wouldn’t start,” he says. “But they’re not all as reliable and, while I loved to drive them, they couldn’t be guaranteed to get me where I needed to be. It’s no use the drummer standing by the M4 waiting for the RAC while the band is about to go on. It never actually happened, but I came close.”
When you're the drummer in one of the biggest bands in the world it's fair enough that you want a kit that sets you apart from the rest. But, for Pink Floyd's Nick Mason that also meant creating some cases that matched up to his eye-catching kits. Enter Protection Racket... The iconic sticksman called on the company to come up with cases for his DW Ferrari and Dark Side Of The Moon set-ups. For the Ferrari kit (which features the Italian supercar's trademark red finish and logo) Nick wanted a set of cases to match (as well as a hole in each so he could spot his beautiful kit while it was safely snuggled up in its bag) and, as you can see by the picture above, the final result looks pretty special.
In the 1960s his everyday cars included a Mini Cooper and a succession of Lotus Elans and, when the cheques started to come in in the early 1970s, he bought a Ferrari 275 GTB/4. “Worst of the lot,” he says. “No brakes and constant plug-wetting. It’s a wonder I kept buying Ferraris after that.”
He did. But there has been a lot of sensible metal in the Mason driveway in the past 40 years: Golfs, 5, 6 and 7-series and even a Renault 6.
“What was that all about, I wonder,” Mason muses.
Ex David Gilmour / Pink Floyd Ferrari F40. An F40 with solid gold rockstar heritage. Posted in Silodrome 4 years ago.
In July 1988 Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour and drummer Nick Mason arrived at Ferrari’s Fiorano test track to take possession of their matching Ferrari F40s. They were in Modena as part of Pink Floyd’s “Momentary Lapse of Reason” tour, although there’s no word on whether the tour name had anything to do with the four-wheeled purchases of the two men.
After getting the hang of driving the iconic ’80s supercars around the test track, Gilmour and Mason drove them cross-country back to England on Italian export plates. The two had previously agreed with Ferrari and Pininfarina to display the cars at the International Motor Show in Birmingham in October 1988, Mason’s car was on the Ferrari stand and Gilmour’s was shown on the Pininfarina stand.
Nick Mason, Pink Floyd at Maranello (1992). July 21, 2017. By Sports Car Digest.
Scarperia, gathering of vintage Ferraris: Nick Mason guest of honor. The photos. September 28, 2017.
The historic Pink Floyd drummer in Mugello, together with many fans of the Red. Photos by Germogli.
Nick Mason in Scarperia. Photo by Germogli.
Nick Mason in Scarperia. Photo by Germogli.
Nick Mason in Scarperia. Photo by Germogli.
The cars of rock legends: now you can own one. At the Goodwood Members Meeting some amazing cars are up for sale this year, including some owned by genuine rock royalty. By Erik Doesburg. Posted in “The More You Know” 3years ago.
Nick Mason, Pink Floyd, in 1977.
Using the proceeds he got after the massive success of Dark Side Of The Moon, Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason bought himself a Ferrari 250 GTO. Now the most expensive car in the world, in 1977 it cost Mason a mere £35,000. It has since been reported that Mason has had offers of anywhere between forty and fifty million pounds from investors.
1962 Ferrari 250 GTO endurance racer at Goodwood Festival of Speed with driver Annette Mason. Sussex, UK, 2009.
Yet, he still considers his 250 GTO his best car and has no intention of selling it. Beside his Ferrari, Mason has a staggering collection of vintage racers and he himself has even raced at Le Mans five times. So he's more of a petrolhead who happened to be a really good sticks man than the other way around.
Mason and his 250 GTO, via Pinterest.com.
Today at the Bonhams sale at the Goodwood Members' Meeting, one of the most special cars on sale is a Ferrari Dino 246 GT, originally owned by Mason. One of only 21 Dino's to come with flared wheelarches, combined with the fact that it once belonged to Mason, make this Ferrari a very desirable set of wheels.
Nick Mason's 10 essential cars.
At 72 years old Nick Mason has lived one of the most envied lives ever. He is a great passionate about machines and for decades has had one of the best collections of classic cars in the world.
Located on an airfield in the south of England, Nick Mason's private collection occupies several hangars where the minuscule distance between the cars is especially surprising… otherwise there would not be room for everyone!
Several rows of carefully placed cars show us the drummer's passion for the automotive world. From a very young age Mason grew up in a family very involved in racing and the first checks cashed by him as an artist were earmarked for car purchases.
Currently his collection is made up of about 50 vehicles, of which most of them destined for racing and with an impressive pedigree.
Mason himself has driven the vast majority of these vehicles in competitions around the world as well as in events as special as the Goodwood Festival of Speed where, in previous years, he has been seen driving special cars such as the Auto Union Type C of mid-30s.
Mason's passion has led him to acquire more than a hundred cars in his lifetime but, regretfully, several dozen of them have had to be sold to make room in the hangars for new acquisitions.
We are now going to discover some of the most interesting cars from Nick Mason's collection.
Bentley 4 1/2 Litre
According to Mason, the car he's most fond of is undoubtedly this 1930 Bentley. The reason? This unit was owned by Bill Mason, his father, for over 35 years. Bill Mason was a documentary director and a pioneer in reporting on motorsport. Can you imagine what vehicle he used as a camera car? Sure enough, his own Bentley.
Ferrari 512 S
Another fascinating story is that of the Ferrari 512 S that we found cornered in the hangar. This unit was part of the filming of the legendary movie Le Mans with Steve McQueen and is known because the car caught fire during filming with the driver Derek Bell at the wheel. Nick Mason bought the remains of the crashed model and restored it to a pristine condition, ready to continue making its V12 engine roar.
Maserati Birdcage
The Maserati Birdcage was the sports car that the Italian brand introduced in the 60s to recover its previous successes in Formula 1. For Mason it is the most beautiful car and has long been on loan to his son-in-law Marino Franchitti, a Scottish racing driver who continues to make the most of this collector's item.
Ferrari 512 BB LM
This impressive creation from Maranello belonged to the FIA Group 5 category, where GT cars with high performance and highly elaborated aerodynamics were allowed. This 420 hp beast with an inline 12-cylinder engine was piloted by Steve O'Rourke, manager of Pink Floyd for many years and one of the architects of their worldwide success. Years later Mason decided to acquire this unit to maintain the legacy of O'Rourke, who passed away in 2003 while he was still racing and had his own team.
Lola T297
This car was the one that Nick Mason used to compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1979 and 1980, taking an 18th position as the best result. A memento of his greatest automotive achievement with The Wall-inspired décor.
Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona
This exciting 1972 365 GTB/4 Daytona, in the yellow colors of the Ecuerie Francorchamps, has also been driven by Nick Mason at Goodwood.
LaFerrari
And we couldn't finish without his most recent acquisition, Mason being one of 499 lucky enough to receive a LaFerrari, the Prancing Horse's latest supercar.
Nick Mason’s LaFerrari blu pozzi at 2018 London Concours.
The drummer has decided to put aside the typical Rosso Corsa to opt for a dark blue color and to choose the curious F150OK enrollment.
Pink Floyd's Nick Mason with his LaFerrari supercar.
We would like to feel his sensations at the wheel of this 900 hp hybrid beast ...
Sources: autopista.es, oppositelock.kinja.com, driving.co.uk, caranddriver.com, roadandtrack.com, pistonheads.com.
Nick Mason.
Nick Mason's car collection will leave you comfortably numb. Pink Floyd’s Nick Mason has such an incredible collection of classic motors we even borrowed one for the GQ Car Awards in 2019. By Chris Rowlands. 27 January 2021.
As Pink Floyd’s resident timekeeper, Nick Mason deployed his sticks for all 15 of the English prog rock outfit’s studio albums. Which, given total record sales exceed 250 million, has left anything but echoes in his bank account.
Nick Mason.
How does the Birmingham-born drummer choose to use his royalty cheques? When he’s not behind a kit, you’ll usually find him at the helm of a priceless classic car.
2007 Goodwood Festival of Speed, Goodwood House, Sussex, UK. 22nd/23rd/24th June 2007. Annette Mason, Ferrari 512BB/LM. World Copyright: Jeff Bloxham / LAT Photographic.
A petrolhead of the highest order, he has long been a staple of events such as the Goodwood Members’ Meeting, rocking up in rare cars both bought and borrowed – and has frequently proven himself to be a very capable racer.
And, since returning from the dark side of the moon, Mason has also built up quite the stable of fabled machines. So here, on his 77th birthday, are the highlights of his collection…
1962 Ferrari 250 GTO
David L. F. Smith.
Mason owns a fleet of rare Ferraris, including an F40, a GTB/4 Daytona and a fearsome 512S racer that starred in Steve McQueen’s Le Mans. Pride of his Prancing Horse assortment, though, is a 250 GTO.
One of just 36 built, Mason bought the gorgeous grand tourer – registration "250 GTO" – for £37,000 in the Seventies. Recent auction results suggest it’s now worth more than £40 million, but that hasn’t stopped the drummer from letting the legendary V12 machine loose at the Goodwood Festival Of Speed on multiple occasions.
1957 Maserati 250F
Pink Floyd’s Nick Mason at the wheel of his classic Maserati 250F. Photo by Christian Behnke.
Pink Floyd’s Nick Mason at the wheel of his classic Maserati 250F.
Nick Mason at the start line in his Maserati 250F racing at a VSCC race meeting at Silverstone in late 1980s.
Many of Mason’s machines have a racing bent – from his Porsche 962 to the Ferrari 312 T3 in which Gilles Villeneuve won the Canadian Grand Prix – but only one was voted "the world’s greatest racing car" in 2009: the Maserati 250F. Equal parts lightweight, streamlined and utterly beguiling, the Fifties Formula One racer was steered in period by the likes of Juan Manuel Fangio and Stirling Moss. Mason owns one of just 26 ever made and it lives in his garage alongside an even faster featherweight racer from two years later: the stunning space-frame Tipo 61 Birdcage.
1955 Jaguar D-Type
Colin McMaster.
Jaguar’s daring D-type was as curvaceous as competition cars came in the Fifties. Mason once called it “one of the most beautiful sports racing cars ever built” and, after eyeing up its sinuous shell, it’s difficult to disagree. That the slippery machine also managed to win Le Mans three times on the trot shows just how aerodynamically advanced it was for the era. The drummer’s shown no interest in parting with any of his motors, but if he were to list his low-slung Jag at auction, the estimate would start north of £10m.
1927 Bugatti Type 35B
Dominic James
Bugatti’s Type 35 of the Twenties was, in the marque’s own words, “the world’s most successful racing car”. Makes sense, then, that a motorsport nut such as Mason would want one of the alcohol-fuelled Grand Prix machines in his garage. Bought in bits back in the Seventies and built up around an original chassis, Mason then took his supercharged speedster racing in the Eighties. The blue beast still fires up a raucous treat today – after some furious hand-pumping for fuel pressure, that is.
1953 Ferrari 250MM
Max Earey.
One of Mason’s more recent acquisitions is this perfectly proportioned midcentury Ferrari. Raced in the Carrera Panamericana border-to-border dash in 1953, the 250 MM coupé then retired from competition to enjoy a lucky run of three restorations and countless concours appearances before finding its way into Mason’s collection in 2011. That Spanish sponsorship on its nose reads "no hay dos" ("nothing better"). In any other company, that would probably be true.
1901 Panhard 5-litre
Sally Bliss.
Probably the oldest motor in the Pink Floyd man’s entourage is this Panhard Et Levassor, complete with positively regal Roi-Des-Belges coachwork. A truly vintage thing, the handsome French four-wheeler squeezes a modest 24bhp from its four-cylinder, five-litre engine. Not much, but enough to ferry four – or more – from London to Brighton, as Mason has done numerous times as part of the 54-mile Veteran Car Run that happens every November.
1996 McLaren F1 GTR
Tim Woodcock.
Owning any McLaren F1 is a special thing, given that it’s arguably the greatest supercar ever created. Owning an example of the even meaner GTR track variant? That’s priceless. Owning a GTR because you got it in a swap with former McLaren boss Ron Dennis, who wanted an IndyCar that you happened to have? That’s just showing off. Let’s not talk about the time Mason stuck it in the wall at Goodwood’s 75th Members’ Meeting, though...
1935 Aston Martin Ulster
Steve Burton, courtesy Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
Think Aston Martin is all about gorgeous grand tourers? The DB5 might be Bond’s pick, but it was the altogether more unforgiving Ulster that made the marque’s name before the Second World War. A competition car with few creature comforts, the 1.5-litre racer tackled everything from Le Mans to the Mille Miglia in its heyday. Most famous of the breed are the works LM models – each worth millions – and, naturally, Mason has three: LM17, LM18 and LM21, which he’s owned and raced since 1973.
Nick Mason's Ferrari 250 GTO helped the legendary band make its late '80s comeback. April 16, 2021. By: Christopher Smith.
Pink Floyd.
Join us for a musical trip back to the 1980s. We're headed for 1987 and the heyday of the '80s glam rock scene, but leave your acid-washed jeans at home. The highest-grossing world tour of the decade wasn't rooted in glam rock at all. Rather, the prog-rock legends of Pink Floyd took the crown thanks to their epic Momentary Lapse of Reason tour, supporting their album of the same name. But there's a Ferrari twist to this story that needs telling.
Photo of Pink Floyd; From left: Roger Waters, Nick Mason, Syd Barrett and Rick Wright, standing behind mixing desk in recording studio control room. Photo by Andrew Whittuck / Redferns.
Pink Floyd rightfully holds a place among the greatest and most influential musical acts of the last 60 years, but things were a bit different in the late 1980s. After achieving superstardom with albums like Dark Side of the Moon and The Wall, tensions among band members saw keyboardist Richard Wright and bassist/founding member Roger Waters exit the group by 1985. Guitarist/singer David Gilmour and drummer Nick Mason later reunited with Wright to work on Momentary Lapse of Reason in 1986, but Waters was out of the picture.
Pink Floyd.
How the hell does all this relate to the car world? Nick Mason's interest in cars and racing was in full swing at the time, with his original Ferrari 250 GTO being a prized possession. It wasn't worth the $40 million it's estimated to bring today, but it was still a very bankable asset in the late 1980s. Pink Floyd, on the other hand, wasn't quite as bankable. The reformed group was without a very prominent founding member and they hadn't toured extensively in a decade.
Pink Floyd celebrate their first contract with Emi by staging a joyful ballet. From left: Nick Mason, Rick Wright, Syd Barrett and Roger Waters. From "Inside Out", Rizzoli.
Considering the extravagant (and expensive) live shows the band was known for, not to mention legal challenges from the fallout with Roger Waters, there was considerable uncertainty over the success and profitability of a world tour. As such, Gilmour and Mason dipped into their own funds to get the tour off the ground. For Mason, that meant using his prized GTO as collateral.
Ferrari 250 GTO 1:18 Scale Model.
Of course, we now know the concerns were for nothing. The album was a tremendous success and the tour ultimately saw Pink Floyd play 197 shows from September 1987 through July 1989, visiting locations all around the globe. At $135 million, it was the highest-grossing world tour of the 1980s and it cemented Pink Floyd's legacy in the world of rock.
When it comes to classic cars the Ferrari 250 GTO is considered the final word.
And it wouldn't have happened without the help of a Ferrari 250 GTO, a vehicle that holds its own legacy these days as the most valuable automobile in the world.
Mason's first marriage, in 1969, was to Lindy Rutter, with whom he had two daughters, Chloe and Holly. Lindy was an accomplished woodwind player; she played flute on "The Grand Vizier's Garden Party" from Ummagumma.
The couple divorced in the late 1980s and Mason is now married to his second wife Annette Lynton (Nettie), an actress also known for her adjudication role on the second series of Treasure Hunt in 1984.
Annette Mason with husband Nick. Mrs Mason, an actress whose stage name is Annette Lynton, has appeared in TV programmes including Casualty, Minder and Crossroads.
Nick and Annette Mason. Photo credit Daniel Deme Wenn.
Nick Mason and his wife Annette arrive for the Gala film Premiere of Angela's Ashes at the Odeon Leicester Square, London, on January 11, 2000. Photo by Sean Dempsey, PA Images via Getty Images.
Nick Mason and his wife Nette arrive for the ING Renault F1 Team Wrap Party at the Mayfair Hotel in London, England, on November 28, 2007.
Nick Mason and wife Annette in London on 1 June 2011.
Nick Mason performs on stage during Music for The Marsden 2020 at The O2 Arena on March 03, 2020 in London, England.
They have two sons, Cary and Guy and live in Hampstead, London. Since 1995 they have also owned Middlewick House, the Grade II listed former home of Andrew and Camilla Parker Bowles, just outside the Wiltshire town of Corsham.
Mason’s wealth amounted to £75 million, according to the Sunday Times Rich List 2015–2016.
Nick Mason flying his Eurocoptor G-OOIO into the fly navy day at Old Warden aerodrome in England on June 4, 2017.
He is a qualified pilot and flies an Aerospatiale AS 350 Squirrel helicopter in specially painted colours.
Mason is part of Football Ventures, a consortium that bought Bolton Wanderers Football Club out of administration in August 2019. He is a supporter of Arsenal F.C.
Brian Johnson
Brian Johnson leads the AC/DC in concert at Dino and Enzo Ferrari racetrack on July 9, 2015 in Imola, Italy. Photo by Roberto Serra, Iguana Press / Getty Images.
Brian Johnson, lead singer of the rock group AC/DC, at his North Shields home with his wife Carol on 14 October 1980.
The Ferrari 458 Italia of Brian Johnson of AC/DC. A car loved by VIPs: many of them were captivated by the charm of the Ferrari 458 Italia. By Rosario Scelsi on March 19, 2021.
Brian Johnson with his "red".
In Brian Johnson's luxury garage there is also a Ferrari 458 Italia, which dominates the scene like a queen.
From left to right Cliff Williams, Malcolm Young, Simon Wright, Angus Young and Brian Johnson, pictured in the 1980s.
The lead singer of the hard rock group AC/DC is in love with this supercar from Maranello, chosen in a red color. After all, how can you blame him? We are talking about a tricolor work of art, born in the land of beauty. It looks like an automobile projection of Michelangelo's genius; an impeccable dynamic sculpture.
Built from 2009 to 2015, the Ferrari 458 Italia is a dream berlinetta, with agile and sublime lines. Its look gracefully blends elegance with aggression: miracles often performed by Pininfarina with the jewels of the "prancing horse".
In the front view you can see the small aero-elastic fins, able to adapt their shape to the aerodynamic needs of the moment. A way to ensure optimal responses in terms of downforce and smoothness. The careful exploitation of the flows is a constant of this car, which achieves great downforce values, without disturbing the harmony of its stylistic execution, for an absolutely impeccable result.
The beating heart of the model is a 4.5-liter naturally aspirated V8 engine, which delivers 570 thoroughbred horses: its stroke up to 9000 rpm is accompanied by a Rossinian crescendo. If the melodies are the right ones, no less exciting is the performance picture, which has made the Ferrari 458 Italia the benchmark in its market segment. Here it clearly imposed itself on the competition. On his side a driveability and a dynamic balance of excellence which have set the standard.
Officially presented at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, this supercar didn’t have to struggle to enter the hearts of enthusiasts and potential buyers with the strength of its charm. In fact, such a test of skill, signed by the men of Maranello, was destined to take root in everyone's emotional apparatus.
The generational leap compared to the previous F430, which also reached the top of quality, is evident. Its engine is characterized by a particularly high compression ratio (12.5:1). This also helps to understand the noble lineage, the result of a know-how gained over years of racing at the highest levels.
The power of the Ferrari 458 Italia is discharged to the ground with the help of an electro-hydraulic dual-clutch gearbox with 7 speed. Gear changes are carried out at the speed of thought, like trajectory changes, thanks to the extreme precision of the steering.
Developed on an aluminum alloy chassis, the result of aerospace-derived technologies, this "red" combines lightness and strength, for top handling. The fact that the legendary Michael Schumacher collaborated in the development of the car adds a further note of goodness to the proposal. The elasticity of its engine is great, with a maximum torque of 540 Nm at 6000 rpm, over 80% of which is available from 3250 rpm. The powerful Brembo disc brakes slow down the pace.
At the time of launch, the Ferrari 458 Italia was an innovative model in terms of: powertrain, design, aerodynamics, handling, instrumentation and man-machine interface. The other models in the price list of the time looked like catwalk stuff at the Croisette compared to it. Although the California and the 599 Gtb Fiorano are beautiful, the 8-cylinder sibling, with a mid-rear engine, is something else entirely.
The fascination of the Ferrari 458 Italia reaches unattainable heights. Each stylistic expression is harmoniously coordinated with the others, for a design that conquers the eyes, then passing from the pupils to the heart. This two-seater berlinetta benefits from the experience gained in Formula 1. The car's performance attitude is also communicated by the most common figures to measure it: 0-100 km/h acceleration in less than 3.4 seconds, maximum speed exceeding 325 km/h. It seems to me that Brian Johnson has absolutely no reason to complain ...
Brian Johnson and Angus Young.
AC/DC's Brian Johnson and Newcastle United's Kevin Keegan at the Kevin Keegan Roadshow, Heaton RAOB Club, Newcastle, February 1983.
AC/DC's Brian Johnson talks about his Ferrari 458 Italia in new 'Cars That Rock' clip. May 1, 2014.
A new series hosted by AC/DC frontman Brian Johnson, "Cars That Rock", will air in the U.K. starting on May 8 on Quest, Freeview Channel 38.
The Back2Back Productions series follows Johnson as he pursues his passion of cars, looking into the history, meeting the fanatics of racing.
"Cars That Rock" is described as a series of six 60-minute episodes in which Brian looks at six of his favorite makes of car (three from the U.K. and three from other parts of Europe).
Brian races some of the cars in professional races and he also drives other cars at high speed.
A new video clip from "Cars That Rock" in which Johnson talks about his first-ever Ferrari, a 458 Italia, is now available.
Brian Johnson and his wife Brenda.
Johnson shared with Ferrari News the story of how he got the 458 Italia: "after the tour, I was in New York with my wife, Brenda. As our limo was passing the Ferrari showroom on Park Avenue, I called out to the driver, 'Stop!' I jumped out and went inside. There was a white 458 Italia on the floor and, though I don't prefer white cars, this was the most stunning thing I'd ever seen. I wanted to buy it on the spot but found out there was a wait."
When he was a guest on Chris Evans' "Breakfast Show", Johnson said Evans picked up the phone and made a call. A few moments later, Evans asked Johnson, "what color do you want, Brian — red or black?" "Red!", Johnson replied. Evans had found a car that was available and told him that a man was going to drive a red 458 Italia from Switzerland to England.
Brenda Johnson and Brian Johnson attend the World Premiere of "Spitfire" at The Curzon Mayfair on July 9, 2018 in London, England. Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/WireImage.
Johnson and his wife, who live mainly in Sarasota, Florida, were staying at their home in London's Chelsea section. Johnson continued: "the next morning, there was a knock at my door and a man saying, 'I've got your Ferrari, Mr. Johnson. I just need a check.'"
"I've never had a Ferrari. I always had British cars," Johnson said.
The cars of rock legends: now you can own one. At the Goodwood Members Meeting some amazing cars are up for sale this year, including some owned by genuine rock royalty. Erik Doesburg posted in “The More You Know” 3 years ago.
Brian Johnson and his Mini Cooper. Mini Cooper is a post-World War II small fuel-efficient car built to be economically accessible for everyone. It was a cultural phenomenon, from hipsters to rockers and royalty to racers everyone drove it. Immediately after driving one, Brian fell in love with the car and bought it from his friend who just happened to have two of them.
Photo by Bob Croslin.
One of the rock world's biggest petrolheads, Brian Johnson, has a well-filled garage. He owns a Rolls-Royce Phantom, a 1920's Bentley 4 1/2 Litre Vanden Plas, a Ferrari 458 Italia and many more, but the car that excites the AC/DC singer the most is his 1965 Lola T70 Mark 1. The last of only 15 cars built, this British racing car with a beating Ford V8 heart is blessed with 640 angry horses under the bonnet and a weight of only 1,500 pounds.
Vintage Silverstone classic 2017. Brian Johnson rolls his Austin A35.
And it's not just an investment for Johnson. Like Mason, he likes to take part in historic races, so his Lola sees enough sunlight as well.
Via Flickr.com.
Brian Johnson Daytona 24H race report. Jan 30, 2012. Brian Johnson press release.
Brian Johnson with Carlos de Quesada and Jim Pace after his last stint. Photo by: Eric Gilbert.
Daytona, FL, January 30, 2012: last weekend, AC/CD lead singer Brian Johnson, along with Fifty Plus Racing, Predator Performance and Alegra Motorsports, successfully completed the Rolex 24 at Daytona as part of the “Highway to Help” campaign to raise funds and awareness for the Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer.
An avid car and racing enthusiast, Johnson competed in the race as part of the Chattanooga-based Fifty Plus Racing team, which also included Chattanooga businessman Byron DeFoor, former Rolex 24 overall winners Elliott Forbes-Robinson and Jim Pace and former Rolex 24 class winner Carlos de Quesada.
“Highway to Help has been a huge success,” said Jim Osborn, co-founder of the Austin Hatcher Foundation. “The awareness and funds raised through this campaign would not have been possible without the generosity of Brian Johnson and the entire Fifty Plus Racing team and we are extremely grateful to have the support of the racing community and AC/DC fans all over the world.”
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