A 1983 Ferrari 400i, owned by Rolling Stone Keith Richards, will be offered at the RM Sotheby’s: Ferrari sale in Maranello on 9 September.
1983 FERRARI 400I. CHASSIS NO. ZFFEB07B000045181. ESTIMATE €125,000-175,000. AND GILBERT AND GEORGE, THE WALL. ESTIMATE £100,000-150,000.
The car, which has an estimate of €125,000–175,000, was picked up from the factory by the band’s tour manager Alan Dunn back in 1983 and was initially used by the legendary guitarist for commuting while recording The Rolling Stones’ Dirty Work album in Paris. It was later transported back to the UK where it has remained in Richards’ collection since.
Still clearly fond of the car, Richards said ahead of the sale: “I loved this car… whoever gets her, treat her well.”
Having only been driven 3,627km, the car is an incredibly well-preserved artefact from the rock’n’roll jet set and an RM specialist went so far as to describe the vehicle as ‘the cleanest, most stunningly original 400i I have ever seen’.
Aside from its fascinating history, the Ferrari 400i remains the quintessential grand touring car of the marque – a properly potent V-12 mounted in front, mated to a five-speed gearbox, a clean and beautifully apportioned Pininfarina design and the convenience of 2+2 seating.
The car is accompanied by its original books, including the warranty card, upon which the legendary owner’s name and address are clearly printed.
1983 FERRARI 400I. CHASSIS NO. ZFFEB07B000045181. ESTIMATE €125,000-175,000. ANDTHOMAS RUFF, SUBSTRAT 9 11. ESTIMATE £40,000-60,000.
Visitors to Sotheby’s New Bond Street had the opportunity to see the car for themselves recently when it featured in an exhibition alongside highlights from the upcoming Shake It Up: Works from the Mario Testino Collection auction.
Also on display was a 1973 Porsche 911 2.7 Lightweight, which has an estimate of £825,000–1,000,000.
1973 PORSCHE 911 CARRERA RS 2.7 LIGHTWEIGHT. CHASSIS NO. 9113601501. ENGINE NO. 6631453 AT. ESTIMATE £825,000-1,000,000. AND ADRIANA VAREJÃO, BLUE SAUNA. ESTIMATE £400,000-600,000.
The RM Sotheby’s: Ferrari sale takes place at the Ferrari factory in Maranello on 9 September.
