One to Buy: 27,000km ex-Bijan Kherzi 1987 Ferrari 412
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During the second half of the 1980s, those customers that wanted a twelve cylinder Ferrari in a more discrete package than the flamboyant Testarossa could order a 412.
With its elegant Pininfarina coachwork, practical four-seat layout and luxurious specification, the 412 appealed to the kind of buyer that shunned the conspicuous consumption that came to define the 1980s.
Launched at the Geneva Motor Show in March ‘85, the 412 was the fourth and final iteration of a product line that had first emerged in the shape of the 365 GT4 back in late 1972.
Four years later, the 4.4-litre 365 GT4 made way for the 4.8-litre 400 which in turn morphed into the fuel-inject 400i towards the end of 1979.
Significantly, the 400 had become the first Ferrari offered with a fully automatic gearbox and, over the next few years, an ever increasing number of buyers ticked this option as it perfectly reflected the nature of Ferrari’s flagship Gran Turismo.
Nevertheless, a minority of drivers still elected to stick with the five-speed manual, the presence of which transformed the 412 from boulevard cruiser to seriously quick performance car.
By the time the 412 was discontinued in 1989, 576 copies had been manufactured. Of these, 270 were configured with the manual ‘box, a particularly fine example of which will be going under the hammer at Broad Arrow Auctions’ Zurich sale on November 1st.
Chassis 70217 left Maranello during 1987 in the handsome colour scheme of Azzurro Metallizzato with Pelle Tabacco upholstery. In July 1989 the still new car was sold via Ferrari’s Saudi agent, Al Ajda Automotive, to industrialist Bijan Kherzi who retained it into the 2010s and ultimately exported it back to Europe.
More recently, in 2016 chassis 70217’s current owner submitted the 412 for Ferrari Classiche certification. The Red Book that accompanies the car confirms the presence of a matching numbers chassis, engine and body with a correct-type but replacement transmission.
Chassis 70217 heads to auction having undergone a major service at the renowned Emil Frey Classics in 2023.
