Lot 022: 1983 FERRARI 400i

Finished in special order metallic green with tan leather upholstery and wool headlining, this particular left-hand drive example was purchased new by HRH Prins Bernhard of the Netherlands. A marque devotee ever since his acquisition of a second-hand 212 Inter in the 1950s (which prompted Enzo Ferrari to dispatch a team of mechanics to the Dutch Royal Household gratis) the Prince's distinctive 'AA-13' number plate was seen on various 250GTs, 365s and a 500 Superfast over the years as well as both this 400i and its 412 successor. Part of the collection since 1993, it is believed to have covered just 35,072km and to sit on a longer than standard wheelbase (however, this latter claim has yet to be verified). Benefiting from automatic transmission and five-spoke alloys, the accompanying history file includes numerous press cuttings chronicling its royal connections.