1987 Ferrari 412

• Personally ordered and specified by the Sultan during a visit to the Ferrari stand at the 1986 Motor Show
• Correspondence with the Malaysian High Commission confirms the order at a cost of ú52,575
• Specified in right-hand drive in Argento Silver with a dark blue leather interior and automatic gearbox
• First registered in the UK in 2019 and the odometer currently reads 17,793 miles (atoc)
• Bought by our vendor in 2019, the further purchase of a classic Aston Martin from ourselves resulted in the Ferrari being little used
• Recent work by Ferrari specialists Terry Keys totals some ú7,000 and we welcome any inspection

The Ferrari 365 GT4 2+2 was introduced in 1976 as the successor to the slightly larger 365 GT 2+2. With its much sleeker looks the Ferrari 365, also designed by Pininfarina, remained in production with very few styling changes until 1989 and proved to be a great success for the company. The 412 was introduced in 1985 and was a technically much improved and modernised version of the classic design, whilst still retaining a timeless and elegantly modern shape. With a displacement of nearly 5 litres, the V12 engine now produced a healthy 340 bhp and ABS was available for the first time in a Ferrari.

The Ferrari 412 is the ultimate version of the 400-series of four-seat Grand Touring cars and remains highly regarded for its performance, luxury and driving experience. With many Ferrari buyers preferring the Testarossa's looks and having no need of rear seats, just 574 examples of the 412 were built, of which 85 were in right-hand drive, and only 61 left the Maranello factory with an automatic gearbox and the steering wheel on the right.

The Sultan of Selangor may not be as well known as the Sultan of neighbouring Brunei, and a brief introduction is required. As the Sultan of one of the 13 Malaysian states, with a reign lasting 40 years, his death in 2001 left Selangor well placed with the highest GDP, the best infrastructure, the highest standard of living and the lowest poverty rate of all the Malaysian states. This car's story begins with a visit by the Sultan to the Ferrari stand at the 1986 Motor Show and, befitting his status, he was met by Shaun Bealey, long time Director of Maranello Concessionaires Ltd., the sole distributor at the time of Ferrari in the United Kingdom.

Mr Bealey's own company car at the time was a Ferrari 412 and no doubt his charming sales pitch and enthusiasm for the model helped persuade The Sultan that a 412 was what he needed. Contained within the history file is some correspondence between Mr Bealey and the Malaysian High Commission in London confirming the order by the Sultan of this right-hand-drive 412 in Argento metallic silver with a dark blue Nuvola leather interior, black dashboard, blue carpeting and automatic gearbox for ú52,575, together with the gift of a Cartier briefcase. Further copy letters confirm payment, shipping and delivery to Malaysia in April 1987. A 2018 letter signed by the noted Ferrari archivist, Tony Willis, confirms the supplying date, chassis, engine and gearbox numbers, colours, and trim.

The Sultan died in 2001 and the car must have been well maintained during its time in Selangor as subsequent Ferrari specialists have praised, not only the car's cosmetic presentation, but also the running gear and good general condition of the underside. Our vendor bought the Ferrari in January 2019, with the intention of pressing it into service as a family high day and holiday car for the summer, but the subsequent purchase from Silverstone Auctions in July 2019, of a 1970 Aston Martin DBS, the ex-factory press car and offered directly from actor Steve Coogan, meant that his plans changed. Using the Aston far more often than he intended, our vendor has nonetheless spared no expense in making the 412 a turn-key car. Respected Ferrari specialists Terry Keys Ltd.of Silverstone have carried out general maintenance and servicing works since purchase, with receipts on file amounting to some ú13,000. The vendor has requested a condition report from Terry Keys prior to the sale and we shall make it available to interested parties when ready. The odometer reading shows 17,793 miles at the time of cataloguing and the MOT is valid until May 2021.

Ferrari's 400-Series are beginning to develop a cult status combining, as they do, elegant looks, superb comfort, predictable handling and the orchestral magic that only a Ferrari V12 can generate. This special example not only has a fascinating history but an odometer reading that lends itself to the finest collections or an enthusiast looking for a usable, dare we say it, practical classic Ferrari.