This incredibly rare 1967 Ferrari 412P Berlinetta is undoubtedly one of the most important race cars built by the iconic Italian marque. It is soon going to cross the auction block, giving the world’s most prominent car collectors a unique opportunity to acquire this historic automobile. The Ferrari 412P was introduced in 1967 as a race car specifically designed for endurance racing. It was basically a “customer version” of the famous 330 P3 race car that took on the mighty Ford GT40s in 1966 at various endurance races. The beautifully sculpted body of the 412P was crafted by none other than Pininfarina with the intention of making it as aerodynamic as possible.
The chassis no. 0854 was built in 1967 and was purchased by Col. Ronnie Hoare’s Team. In fact, it was one of two privateer 412P race cars that competed at the endurance races in that year. Driven by the likes of Richard Attwood, Piers Courage, Lucien Bianchi, Jo Siffert, and privateer David Piper, the race car went on to compete in that year’s FIA World Championship of Makes. It debuted at the World Championship Round 4, the Belgian Spa 1,000 Kilometers, where it managed to get a third-place finish and ultimately help Ferrari secure its victory in the 1967 championship.
The Ferrari 412P was later bought by David Piper who took it to the Paris 1,000 Kilometers, Kyalami 9-Hours, and the Cape Town 3-Hours. It stayed with Piper for the 1968-1969 season, winning at the 1968 Nuremberg 200 Kilometers at the Norisring, the Solituderennen at Hockenheim, and the Swedish Grand Prix. The race car even had a lucky escape during the 1969 East London 500 Kilometers in South Africa, where it was almost destroyed in a fire. The same year, the iconic Ferrari was brought to the US after being purchased by Chris Cord, grandson of the creator of Cord luxury cars. Since then, the car has been owned by several well-known collectors, including Sir (later Lord) Anthony Bamford, Sir Paul Vestey, John McCaw, and Bruce McCaw.
The current owner has had the Ferrari since 2005 and it even underwent a painstaking nine-year restoration that included the refurbishment of its original bodywork and race livery from its days with Col. Ronnie Hoare’s Team. This example is believed to be the only surviving prototype Ferrari of its era with an original chassis, engine, gearbox, and bodywork. This is why it could end up selling for serious money when it goes under the hammer at Bonham’s 18 August Quail auction. It may not become the most expensive car ever sold – a record currently held by a 1955 Mercedes Benz 300SLR “Silver Arrow”; however, it is expected to fetch more than $40 million.
