Real Estate

Keith Richards’ 1972 Ferrari up for sale 

By
Social Links for Mary K. Jacob
Published July 31, 2023
Updated July 31, 2023, 4:58 p.m. ET

What was once rock legend’s Keith Richards’ brand new car can now be your newest reason to brag.

The old 1972 Ferrari of the Rolling Stones guitarist is now looking for a new owner, and priced at $500,000.

Richards, now 79, drove the car more than 25,000 miles before the keys to the Ferrari Dino were handed over to a private Japanese collector in the 1980s.

At the time the car was released, it would have cost around $7,055 to purchase, equivalent to $12,750 today.

But now, the vintage fast car is expected to rake in up to $500,000 at auction, which means it could sell for some 70 times its original retail price.

The motor of the car is described as being “Argento Metallizzato,” meaning metallic silver with the interior made with worn, black leather seats.

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The Ferrari Dino 246 GT was the most technologically advanced version of the E-Series Jam Press/Simon Clay/Courtesy of RM Sotheby's
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Keith Richards laid eyes on a Ferrari Dino 246 GT with spectacular Scaglietti bodywork in the 1970s. Jam Press/Simon Clay/Courtesy of RM Sotheby's

Richards used the E-series whip for personal transportation during a European tour.

With a top speed of 146 mph, the car will be up for auction at RM Sothebys in Monterey, California on Aug. 17.

“Fast cars have defined the rock and roll lifestyle since the musical genre’s very beginnings,” the listing reads. ”It is hardly surprising, then, that the Rolling Stones’ Keith Richards, one of rock’s undisputed all-time greats, would gravitate toward the Ferrari Dino 246 GT, one of the 20th century’s all-time greatest sports cars.”

Singer Mick Jagger and guitarist Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones performing on stage at the Festhalle in Frankfurt, Germany in April 1976 as part of their European Tour.
Singer Mick Jagger and guitarist Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones performing on stage at the Festhalle in Frankfurt, Germany in April 1976 as part of their European Tour. Getty Images
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The Ferrari is powered by a 2.4-liter V6, mounted transversally, unlike in the Dino 206S race car from 1966. Paired with a five-speed manual gearbox, the power unit delivers 192 horsepower (195 PS) and 166 pound-feet (255 Nm) of torque. Jam Press/Simon Clay/Courtesy of RM Sotheby's

“Like Richards himself, the Ferrari Dino — the brilliantly balanced, V-6-powered machine with gorgeous Scaglietti bodywork — needs little introduction.

”Its 2.4-litre engine produced up to 192 horsepower, and it was paired with a five-speed gearbox.”

The listing continues: “Richards shipped his Dino to England in 1975 and registered it on the plates ‘GYL 157N.’”

A spokesman at Coys’ Monaco auction told the Gentleman’s Journal: “A Dino offered at no reserve is rare enough in itself, but when one adds to this proven long-term ownership by rock and roll aristocracy, the Keith Richards car has to be the ultimate Dino.”

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Despite being known as a wild driver, Richards never crashed the Ferrari like he did with his Bentley Continental Flying Spur. Jam Press/Simon Clay/Courtesy of RM Sotheby's
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Richards first took delivery of the car in California, in June 1972, purchasing it from Bill Harrah’s Modern Classic Motors. He shipped it from the United States to England in 1975 and registered it on the plates “GYL157N.” Jam Press/Simon Clay/Courtesy of RM Sotheby's

When the car returned to Europe in 2014, it was last acquired by musician Liam Howlett, co-founder of British EDM band “The Prodigy.”

A letter from Rolling Stones’ touring manager Alan Dunn dated April 25, 1986 comes with the car, describing Richards’ initial purchase, his ownership and the recorded mileage (25,122) at the time of its sale into a private collection in Japan.

It now has 30,037 miles.

“The Ferrari was carefully maintained through the ownership of two subsequent caretakers, and it presents today much as it did when acquired by Richards in 1972,” the listing states.