Without a doubt, all Ferrari cars are automotive royalty, but this list includes cars that were specially ordered by someone from royal descent.
These cars were often times one-off projects.
1951 Ferrari 212 Inter Coupe (0139E/0269EU)
In 1951, the Ferrari 212 Inter Coupe by Vignale, chassis number 0139E, left the Maranello factory and was subsequently delivered to the Brussels-based Ferrari dealer, Comptoir Automobiles Richard SA. By 1953, Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands had acquired this vehicle from Comptoir and was notably seen driving it at the Circuit Zandvoort on June 7 of that year.
Upon learning that a prince was driving a pre-owned Ferrari, Enzo Ferrari himself reached out to Prince Bernhard, inviting him to the Maranello factory. Accepting the invitation, Prince Bernhard drove to Italy in the 212 Inter Vignale (0139E) and exchanged it for a new model, the Ferrari 212 Inter by Pinin Farina (0269EU). Mysteriously, the newer car was re-stamped with the chassis number 0139E.
This event marked the beginning of a significant relationship between Enzo Ferrari and Prince Bernhard, a topic that will be explored further in this article.
1952 Ferrari 342 America Cabriolet by Pinin Farina (0234AL)
In 1952, the Ferrari 342 America Cabriolet by Pinin Farina was manufactured and subsequently delivered to King Leopold III of Belgium in May 1953. This model was part of an exclusive production run of just six units, with only two featuring this particular body style, making it one of the rarest Ferraris ever produced. This specific cabriolet, distinguished as one of the two open-top versions in the series, was tailored to accommodate the refined tastes of King Leopold III.
1954 Ferrari 250 Europa GT Coupe by Vignale (0359GT)
Photo: Gooding & Company
Upon seeing her husband’s acquisition of the Ferrari 342, Princess Lilian of Belgium was inspired and purchased the Ferrari 250 Europa GT by Vignale, chassis 0359GT. This model, designed by Giovanni Michelotti for Carrozzeria Vignale, was the second of only 43 Europa GTs constructed and originally finished in dark green metallic with a contrasting white roof.
The car boasts distinctive features such as an eggcrate grille, chrome-straked functional air vents, and subtle tail fins. Its canopy-like roofline, complete with a panoramic windscreen and wraparound rear glass, lends it a dynamic and sporty appearance.
Photo: Gooding & Company
Recently, this vehicle was offered by Gooding & Company with an estimated sale price between $4,500,000 and $6,500,000, though it ultimately did not sell. As this article will explore further, Princess Lilian became a significant Ferrari customer throughout the 1950s and 1960s.
1954 Ferrari 375 Plus Cabriolet by Pinin Farina (0488AM)
The Ferrari 375 Plus, chassis 0488AM, was delivered new to King Leopold II of Belgium in early 1955, featuring a striking black exterior with an ivory interior. Typically a racing model, an exception was made for the Belgian King, transforming a 375 Plus chassis into a unique two-seater cabriolet. This elegant grand tourer showcased a wide front grille and covered headlamps, distinguishing it from its racetrack counterparts. At one stage, the car underwent a repaint in Ferrari red with a green interior, though it has since been restored to its original black and ivory configuration.
1956 Ferrari 250 GT Coupe Speciale by Pinin Farina (0469GT)
Photo: barcheta.cc
In 1956, Pinin Farina crafted a special series of just four cars, each individually bodied for wealthy clients. The final model produced in this series was chassis 0469GT, finished in light blue with a contrasting black roof. This car was originally delivered to King Mohammed V of Morocco that same year. Subsequently, the car was sold to Ben Pace in Florida in 1962, who then passed it on to Walter Medlin in 1974.
Photo: RM Sotheby’s
Decades later, in 2023, this car was put up for auction by RM Sotheby's at the Monterey Car Auction, where it fetched $1,655,000. Despite its horrendous condition at the time of sale, the new owner expressed intentions to restore it to its original state.
1957 Ferrari 250 GT Coupe Speciale by Pinin Farina (0725GT)
The 1957 Ferrari 250 GT Coupe Speciale by Pinin Farina, chassis 0725GT was custom-made for Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands. His appreciation for Ferrari began in the early 1950s with his Ferrari 212. Departing from his usual preference for green, the Prince ordered the 250 GT Coupe Speciale in black with a green interior. In 1972, while under ownership in the United States, the car was repainted red but has since been restored to its original specifications. Since its restoration, it has garnered numerous awards.
1957 Ferrari 250 GT Coupe Speciale by Pinin Farina (0751GT)
Photo: RM Sotheby’s
The 1957 Ferrari 250 GT Coupe Special by Pinin Farina, chassis 0751GT, was another vehicle specially commissioned by Princess Lilian of Belgium. Finished in Grigio Fumo, a striking dark grey, it was complemented by a beige leather interior. The design of 0751GT incorporated a variety of elements from different Ferrari models: its long nose featured covered headlamps similar to the 250 GT ‘Tour de France’ cars, while the front fenders boasted large chromed and louvered vents reminiscent of those on the California Spider. Additionally, the bumperettes, nose, and hood scoop treatments included influences from the recently released Series I cabriolets.
This car was put up for auction by RM Sotheby's in 2019, with an estimated price range of US$11,000,000 to 13,000,000, but it failed to sell.
1958 Ferrari 250 GT Coupe Speciale by Pinin Farina (0853GT)
The third 250 Speciale, the 1958 Ferrari 250 GT Coupe Speciale by Pinin Farina, chassis 0853GT, was built for Prince Bertil of Sweden. The Prince kept the car in the south of France, using it during his vacations. This model featured an additional rear quarterlight, converting it into a five-window coupé with a steeply inclined rear window and horizontally mounted tail lights. After three years, when the Prince moved to Paris, the car was placed in storage, where it remained for 40 years.
1959 Ferrari 250 GT Coupe by Pininfarina (1471GT)
Photo: Bonhams Cars
In October 1959, Prince Bertil of Sweden acquired a Ferrari 250 GT Coupe by Pininfarina from Tore Bjurstrom, a personal friend of Enzo Ferrari who managed the German market for Ferrari. Earlier that year, Bjurstrom had showcased the car at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The vehicle featured a two-tone exterior of Grigio Argento and white, complemented by a red leather interior. In 2019, the car was sold by Motorcar Classics for approximately $800,000.
1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spyder (1575GT)
Photo: barcheta.cc
The 1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spyder, chassis 1575GT, was finished in light blue and initially delivered to Princess Sofia Tarzi of Afghanistan. She later ascended to the role of Queen of Afghanistan and became one of the world's most influential women, significantly contributing to the modernization reforms of Amanullah Khan, the King of Afghanistan. The California Spyder was delivered to her in Paris. According to barchetta.cc, she owned the car until 1970 when it was purchased by Jean Todt.
1960 Ferrari 250 GT Coupe by Pininfarina (1823GT)
Photo: Bonhams Cars
The 1960 Ferrari 250 GT Coupe by Pininfarina, chassis 1823GT, was specially ordered by Prince Charles of Belgium, Count of Flanders, in the stunning shade of Marrone Testa di Moro. Custom features requested by the Prince included a handle on the dashboard, a flag holder on the bumper, black headlining, and natural leather trim. Before being offered at the 2019 Bonhams Zoute Sale, the car had changed hands among three different owners but ultimately failed to sell.
1965 Ferrari 275 GTS (08015)
Photo: Christopher Steel
The 1965 Ferrari 275 GTS, chassis 08015, was ordered by Prince Moulay Abdalah of Morocco in the elegant combination of a Verde Pino exterior and Creme interior. This particular car was the 189th of only 200 examples built. More recently, it was added to the prestigious collection of Christopher Steel, whom we had the pleasure of speaking to last year.
1967 Ferrari 330 GTC Speciale (9439)
Photo: Winston Goodfellow
The 1967 Ferrari 330 GTC Speciale, chassis 9439, was acquired by Princess Liliana of Belgium a decade after her purchase of 0751GT. This one-off car featured an Azzurro Aurora Savadin exterior paired with a Nero interior and was distinguished by its unusual pop-up fog lamps. Princess Liliana cherished this car for 40 years, retaining it until her passing in 2002. More recently, it was showcased at the Museo Enzo Ferrari during the 'One of a Kind' exhibition.
1971 Ferrari 365 GTC/4 (14467)
Photo: Saratoga Automobile Museum
The 1971 Ferrari 365 GTC/4, chassis 14467, was specifically ordered and delivered to Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands, featuring a Verde Scuro exterior color.
1983 Ferrari Meera S by Michelotti (41421)
The Ferrari Meera S, a distinctive one-off design by Giovanni Michelotti, utilized the chassis of a Ferrari 400i. Commissioned in 1983 for Saudi Arabian royalty, this vehicle is the last Ferrari ever designed by Michelotti. Although it maintains the recognizable silhouette of a Ferrari 400, it sets itself apart with extended body panels, an open bonnet grille, and a wrap-around effect on both the front and rear windscreen glass, achieved through the use of slender pillars.
1999 Ferrari 456M GT (115682)
The 1999 Ferrari 456M GT marked the final Ferrari purchase by Prince Bernard of the Netherlands. It features a classic Verde British Racing exterior paired with a Beige interior. Currently, this car is owned by Prince Bernhard of Orange-Nassau, van Vollenhoven.
Brunei car collection
We could have filled this article with just Ferraris from the Brunei Car Collection, amassed by the 29th Sultan of Brunei and his brother, Prince Jefri Bolkiah. They did just that primarily in the 1980s and 1990s. We recently did a full feature on all the Ferrari cars in the Brunei car collection, definitely check that out. It includes special-made cars like the Ferrari FX and Ferrari F90, as well as specially-ordered cars like the Ferrari F40 with leather interior and Ferrari 456 with night vision.
Did we miss out on any Ferrari cars specially ordered by Royalty? Let us know in the comments and we will add it to this list.
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