Jay Kay, the renowned frontman of Jamiroquai, is putting his rare Bentley up for auction, and it’s anticipated to fetch over £1 million. The 90s star, famous for his hit “Virtual Insanity,” has included a personal touch by leaving one of his band’s cassettes in the driver’s side door.
Known offstage as Jason Luís Cheetham, Jay Kay is a well-known car enthusiast, boasting a collection of over 50 high-end vehicles, including a Ferrari Enzo and a Lamborghini Miura SV. However, the 53-year-old has decided to part with his 1958 Bentley S1 Continental Drophead Coupé convertible, one of the first luxury cars he ever purchased, after owning it for 22 years.
This vintage Bentley is a rare gem, with only 94 units ever made and just 55 produced to his specifications. It has clocked a mere 39,032 miles, of which only 7,000 were driven by Jay Kay himself. Despite its age, the car retains impressive performance capabilities, reaching speeds of up to 119mph and accelerating from 0-60mph in 13.1 seconds.
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Jay Kay, the charismatic lead of Jamiroquai, is auctioning off his rare Bentley S1 Continental Drophead Coupé, which has starred in one of his music videos and is anticipated to fetch over £1 million. Notably, the car still contains a Jamiroquai cassette tape in the door, a unique memento from the artist.
Jay Kay, whose real name is Jason Luís Cheetham, is celebrated for his love of luxury cars, owning over 50 high-end models, including a Ferrari Enzo and a Lamborghini Miura SV. Despite his extensive collection, the 53-year-old is parting with his beloved 1958 Bentley S1, one of the first luxury cars he ever bought. He chose this classic beauty in 2001 over the then-modern £110,000 Bentley Continental favored by Premier League footballers.
This Bentley is a rarity, with only 94 units ever produced and just 55 made to Jay Kay’s specifications. The car has a modest 39,032 miles on the clock, with only 7,000 of those driven by Jay Kay himself. It remains a formidable machine, capable of reaching 119mph and accelerating from 0-60mph in 13.1 seconds.
The car gained additional fame when it appeared in the music video for Jamiroquai’s 2001 hit “Love Foolosophy,” where Jay Kay is seen driving with supermodel Heidi Klum in the back seat. The song reached Number 14 in the charts. In the door compartment of the Bentley, there’s still a cassette tape labeled “Jamiroquai ‘Little L’ 1, Radio Edit, 2, Wounded Buffalo Remix,” a track that hit Number 5 on the charts and was inspired by Jay Kay’s breakup with TV star Denise van Outen.
The sleek black Bentley is being sold by RM Sotheby’s in Chobham, Surrey. The auction listing highlights the car’s exceptional quality and provenance, recalling an early 1960s Rolls-Royce advertisement that boasted, “At 60 miles an hour, the loudest noise in this new Rolls-Royce comes from the electric clock.” This sentiment underscores the luxurious and quiet ride that Bentley has long been known for.
Jay Kay’s rare 1958 Bentley S1 Continental Drophead Coupé, a car that not only has a rich history but also featured in one of his music videos, is set to be auctioned and is expected to fetch over £1 million. Under the bonnet, the car maintains its classic elegance and engineering excellence, a testament to Bentley’s storied reputation.
This particular Bentley, one of only 94 ever made and just 55 built to Jay Kay’s specifications, is noted for its exceptional performance and luxury. It still houses a Jamiroquai cassette tape in the door, adding a personal touch from its famous owner. Known for his love of high-end cars, Jay Kay, whose real name is Jason Luís Cheetham, owns over 50 luxury vehicles, including a Ferrari Enzo and a Lamborghini Miura SV. Despite this impressive collection, the Bentley S1 remains a standout, being one of the first luxury cars he ever bought.
In 2001, Jay Kay chose this classic Bentley over a modern £110,000 Bentley Continental, a choice that speaks to his appreciation for timeless charm. The car, finished in sleek black, has clocked only 39,032 miles, with just 7,000 driven by Jay Kay himself. Capable of reaching 119mph and accelerating from 0-60mph in 13.1 seconds, it combines vintage appeal with remarkable performance.
The Bentley gained additional fame when it appeared in the music video for Jamiroquai’s 2001 hit “Love Foolosophy,” where Jay Kay is seen driving with supermodel Heidi Klum in the back seat. This song reached Number 14 in the charts. In the door compartment of the Bentley, there’s still a cassette tape labeled “Jamiroquai ‘Little L’ 1, Radio Edit, 2, Wounded Buffalo Remix,” a track that hit Number 5 on the charts and was inspired by Jay Kay’s breakup with TV star Denise van Outen.
The car is being sold by RM Sotheby’s in Chobham, Surrey. The auction listing highlights the Bentley’s exceptional history and quality, comparing it to an early 1960s Rolls-Royce advertisement that boasted, “At 60 miles an hour, the loudest noise in this new Rolls-Royce comes from the electric clock.” This echoes the quiet and luxurious ride that Bentley has always been known for, with the only other sound being music from its radio—a fitting legacy for a car now associated with Jamiroquai’s music.
The listing continues to detail Jay Kay’s journey with the car. By the late 1990s, Jamiroquai had achieved international stardom, ranking as the third best-selling British artist of the decade after the Spice Girls and Oasis. With their fifth studio album, “A Funk Odyssey,” set for release in September 2001, Jay Kay could indulge his passion for cars. Drawn to the inherent charm and attractive colors of the Bentley S1, he purchased chassis BC40EL in January 2001 from Bentley and Rolls-Royce specialists P&A Wood in Essex. This car became one of the first in his renowned collection and has remained one of the longest-lasting.
Throughout 2001, Jay Kay had the Bentley maintained by P&A Wood to ensure it was in perfect running order, adding approximately 2,000 miles during his first year of ownership. The Bentley intersected with his personal and professional life in 2002 when it featured in the music video for “Love Foolosophy,” Jamiroquai’s third single from “A Funk Odyssey.” Supermodel Heidi Klum, a friend of Jay Kay, expressed interest in appearing in one of the band’s videos, and Jay felt that his Bentley S1 Continental Drophead Coupé perfectly complemented her beauty and charisma in the video.
Jay Kay’s vintage 1958 Bentley S1 Continental Drophead Coupé, which is expected to sell for over £1 million, has a fascinating history and unique charm. Featured prominently in Jamiroquai’s music video for “Love Foolosophy,” this classic car was shipped to Marbella, Spain, for the shoot. In the video, Jay Kay is seen driving with supermodel Heidi Klum lounging elegantly in the back seat, and an Afghan Hound riding shotgun. The scenes capture them traveling across a picturesque mountain road to a party, adding a glamorous touch to the Bentley’s legacy.
Since its starring role in the music video, the Bentley has been a cherished part of Jay Kay’s extensive car collection. It has been meticulously maintained, with a comprehensive history file that includes numerous MoTs and service invoices. Remarkably, the car has covered less than 5,000 miles since the video shoot and fewer than 16,000 miles since its restoration in the early 1990s. During Jay Kay’s ownership, it has accumulated just under 7,000 miles, bringing its total mileage to approximately 40,000, which is believed to be original, supported by MoT records dating back to 1993.
The Bentley’s illustrious history and excellent condition contribute to its high value. A similar Bentley S1 Continental Drophead Coupé was sold by Sotheby’s five years ago for £1.27 million, highlighting the enduring appeal and significant worth of these classic cars. Jay Kay’s decision to sell this Bentley, one of the first luxury cars he purchased, marks the end of an era for the pop star, but it offers a unique opportunity for collectors and enthusiasts to own a piece of automotive and music history.
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