If you want wheels that make you feel like a rock star check out this 35 year old Ferrari 400i which has had one careful owner – none other than Rolling Stones wildman Keith Richards.
Richards bought the car back in 1983 but it has done less than 2,300 miles.
It comes under the hammer at Ferrari’s headquarters in Modena, Italy, as part of the “Ferrari Leggenda e Passione” event on September 9.
Valued at between £115,000 and £160,000 by auctioneer RM Sotheby, the Ferrari’s rock star status is likely to see it going for a song.
Legend has it that the Ferrari 400i was ordered by Richards and collected by Rolling Stones tour manager, Alan Dunn, in 1983, along with seven other Ferraris purchased by the band and management team following the successful tour for the Tattoo You album release.
Richards, Jagger and Wyman each bought a Ferrari 400i
Rubber-lipped lead singer Mick Jagger also had a Ferrari 400i as did bass guitarist Bill Wyman.
Of all the 400s, Richards’ was the only one with a five-speed manual box and was ordered in rock star black livery and blue interior.
According to the auctioneer, Dunn drove the car to Paris, where it remained and was used by Richards while recording the 1986 album Dirty Work.
It was later shipped to the UK where it has been used only occasionally, as the speedometer shows, by the ageing rocker.
Keith Richards: I loved my Ferrari 400i
Speaking about the vehicle, Richards is reported to have said: “I loved this car. We didn’t spend a lot of time together and most of it was in Paris but I did open her up a couple of times. She’s a very fast girl.
“She’s been resting for a while and raring to go. Whoever gets her, treat her well and good luck.”
The sentiments will no doubt ensure the car makes its pre-auction estimate.
According to the RM Sotheby sale catalogue, the car is “utterly original” bar the repositioning of the boot release button.
A stunningly original Ferrari 400i
Sotheby’s referred to the car as “the cleanest, most stunningly original Ferrari 400i”.
The catalogue states: “From the engine bay to the exterior and interior, the car clearly exhibits superior condition throughout, as delivered by the factory, and has never warranted restoration, presenting as beautifully as it did on the days it was driven, undoubtedly at great speed, through the streets of Paris.”
It comes with original documentation and a warranty card that includes Richards’ name and overseas address clearly printed on them.
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