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Jazz Legend Miles Davis’ Ferrari 308 Heads to Auction

By Jonathon Klein Published August 6, 2021

The Ferrari 308 GTSi isn’t the best Ferrari. Heck, it isn’t even a good Ferrari. It was built during an era that saw Ferrari’s engines down on power and lacking that certain something that the company had built its empire on just a decade prior. As such, they’re not the most popular models. This one in particular, however, is something quite special. A Ferrari 308 GTSi once owned by jazz legend Miles Davis.

miles davis — David Warner Ellis/Getty Images

Miles Davis was, in his time, the man. The trumpeter led bands; composed scores of music; worked with the likes of John Coltrane, Billie Holiday, Cab Calloway, and John Scofield; won 32 Grammys; and continually worked for over five decades. He had his ups and downs, a period of addiction, but Davis remains one of the most, if not the most, prominent jazz musicians ever. His influence can still be felt throughout the jazz scene, as well as in other genres.

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Today, however, is all about his car. Working with eBay and Beverly Hills Car Club, Davis’ 308 GTSi will be auctioned off; a portion of the proceeds going to The Grammy Museum Foundation for Music Education in Los Angeles. The 308 GTSi is finished in Fly Yellow with a chocolate brown interior and has just under 10,000 miles on its odometer. According to the club, the purchase will also come with proof of provenance.

1980 Ferrari 308 GTSI — Beverlyhillscarclub/Ebay

1980 Ferrari 308 GTSI — Beverlyhillscarclub/Ebay

Speaking ahead of the auction, Beverly Hills Car Club president Alex Manos stated, “ Miles had such exquisite taste. It’s a unique and exciting experience to be able to offer something to the public from the Davis estate. It will be exciting to know who the next person to own and drive it will be.”

Executive director for The Grammy Museum, Michael Sticka, added, “The Grammy Museum is deeply appreciative to the Beverly Hills Car Club for recognizing the importance of strengthening music education in our community. Through their generosity, we can continue to help foster the budding musical interests of all children.”

As of this writing, the current bid for Davis’ Ferrari is $75,000, which doesn’t sound like that much for your own piece of music history. Bidding will close at 2 p.m. PST on Friday, September 28.

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Jonathon is a former contributor to The Manual. Please reach out to The Manual editorial staff with any questions or comments…

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