Image Via Instagram/Jenson Button
Former Formula 1 World Champion Jenson Button is embroiled in a legal dispute over the sale of a 1970 Ford Bronco. The vehicle, which was sold for a staggering $166,000 (£131,400) at an auction, is at the center of allegations of misrepresentation and fraud. The buyer, British business executive Leo Eccles, claims he was misled into believing the car belonged to Button, when in fact, it was owned by Button’s then-girlfriend, now wife, Brittny Ward.
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Eccles, feeling aggrieved by the premium price he paid under the assumption of Button’s ownership, has initiated legal action against the retired racing driver. The contention revolves around the Bronco’s advertised ownership and condition, with Eccles asserting that the vehicle’s true worth is significantly less, around $32,000, and that it required substantial repairs not disclosed at the time of sale.
Legal documents filed in Los Angeles shed light on the dispute, revealing that the car was actually registered to Ward, who had affectionately referred to it as “my girl” on social media. Button’s public admission in a 2020 podcast that the Bronco belonged to Ward has further complicated the matter, undermining the sale’s integrity.
In response, Button has counter-claimed, suggesting Eccles is suffering from “buyer’s remorse” and is now backtracking on the deal due to difficulties registering the vehicle in Britain. Button maintains his willingness to complete the transaction, emphasizing his efforts to accommodate Eccles’ requests, including installing rear seat belts at his own expense.
This legal tangle not only highlights the complexities of celebrity-associated vehicle sales but also raises questions about the value of celebrity provenance and the ethical considerations in such high-stake transactions.
