Neil Peart is considered one of the most talented drummers in the history of rock music. With his massive onstage drum kit and his singularly unique drumming style, Peart was the heart and soul of the seminal, Canadian prog-rock band Rush. Sadly, we lost him to a form of brain cancer in January 2020.
The late Rush Drummer, Neil Peart and a silver friend. (Photo courtesy of driving.com.)
What many people don’t know about this legend of rock was that he was also a discerning car collector with an eye for unique and rare performance cars. Now, a portion of his collection will be sold off at the Gooding & Company auction between August 13 and 14, 2021 during the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance week in Monterrey, California.
Peart’s “Silver Surfers” and a dusky stablemate. (Photo courtesy of Gooding & Company.)
In spite of being the man who penned the song Red Barchetta, about a model of Ferrari he once saw, none of the cars on offer will be in the famous Rosso Corsa red of that fabled Italian marque. Instead, the majority of them are silver, part of Peart’s “Silver Silver” group of cars, so named for the feeling they gave him while driving California’s majestic Pacific Coast Highway.
Peart’s 1963 Chevrolet Corvette “Split Window” coupe. (Photo courtesy of Gooding & Company.)
First to the block will be a 1963 Chevrolet Corvette “split window” coupe. Featuring the legendary 327 cubic-inch V8 and that unique, one-year-only, two-piece rear window, the car is expected to fetch between $150,000 and $180,000 USD.
What word besides “iconic” could desirable this 1964 DB5? (Photo courtesy of Gooding & Company.)
Iconic is the only word that comes to mind for Peart’s 1964 Aston Martin DB5, draped in Silver Birch paint, just like the car driven by James Bond in Goldfinger. The car has a gorgeous blue interior and is expected to reach in the range of $650,000-$725,000.
The upgraded Jaguar E-Type. (Photo courtesy of Gooding & Company.)
Another majestic British car, a 1964 Jaguar E-Type Series-1 3.8-liter coupe features in the auction too. While the other cars in the collection are extremely original, the Jag features some modifications, including a lightweight flywheel, Tremec five-speed, Wilwood disc brakes, and an upgraded suspension. Estimates for this one are in the US$$140,000 to $160,000 range.
An immaculate and stunning 1973 Maserati Ghibli 4.9 SS Coupe. (Photo courtesy of Gooding & Company.)
Italy features heavily in Peart’s collection too. A 1973 Maserati Ghibli 4.9 SS Coupe equipped with center-lock Campagnolo wheels should sell for $250,000 to $300,000, and a 1965 Maserati Mistral convertible, one of only 125 examples built, might find a new home for $575,000 to $650,000.
The drummer’s extremely rare 1965 Maserati Mistral convertible. (Photo courtesy of Gooding & Company.)
Filling out the Italian contingent is one of the most desirable exotics ever to come out of the country – a 1970 Lamborghini Miura P400 S. This Miura, resplendent with Campagnolo wheels and factory air conditioning, is expected to sell between US$1.2 to $1.5 million.
The jewel in Peart’s car collection crown – a 1970 Lamborghini Miura P400 S. (Photo courtesy of Gooding & Company.)
The only car in Peart’s collection to be auctioned that is not finished in silver is a black 1964 Shelby Cobra 289, chassis CXS224. Restored in 200, and purchased by Peart in 2015, the car is expected to sell between US$900,000 and $1 million.
The only non-silver car is a is a black 1964 Shelby Cobra 289. (Photo courtesy of Gooding & Company.)
