1980 Ferrari 400i

• European example
• One of 884 cars with injection and automatic transmission
• Matching numbers
• Sought-after Rosso Corsa color with beige leather interior
• Complete restoration of the body during 2015-2016
• Cleaned a refreshed original interior
• V12 after regular service, new exhaust
• Fully running, rust-free car
• Other features: possibility of assisting with transport, storage and Trusted Checkout payment

History

If you are searching for practical, yet very fast and stylish GT, this line of classically boxy big Ferraris should be in your focus. Those front-engined V12 cars started its career in 1972, when 365 GT4 2+2 was launched as successor of much more rounded 365 GTC/4.

In case of design, Ferrari turned to Leonardo Fioravanti at Pininfarina studio, who made very modern looking car, clearly distinguished from its predecessor. The most innovative feature of new car was the characteristic swage line dividing the body into upper and lower halves.

The tubular steel chassis was upgraded and lenghtened chassis found on GTC/4, bodies were made from steel, with fibreglass floor. Cars were built by Pininfarina at Turin and then finished in Modena. Suspension system was quite advanced: double wishbones, coil springs, shock absorbers all around, with anti-roll bars in the front and back. Rear axle featured hydraulic self-levelling system.

Under long flat hood sits V12 (Tipo F 101 Colombo) engine, which changed a lot during years. All alloy unit had four camshafts, 24-valce and wet sump lubrication. Steering was servo-assisted (as it should be on fast, comfortable GT), disc brakes were found on all four corners.

This Ferrari line came in three versions – from early 365 GT4 2+2 to 400 and 412. Interesting moments of evolution are: 400 was the first Ferrari to use automatic gearbox (GM three-speed), then fuel injection came in play at 400i models from 1979 onwards, and improved 412 was introduced in 1985.

Numbers/market position

Long running series of vehicles started with 365 GT4 2+2. From 1972 to 1976, total of 525 vehicles were built. Model 400 was assembled from 1976 to 1979, when total of 502 cars were built (355 with manual, 147 with automatic gearbox). Then came an era of 400i, during 1979 to 1985 total of 1306 cars were built (884 automatic, 422 with manual stick). Final edition, modernized 412, was built from 1985 to 1989, when 576 cars were manufactured. This means, that total of 2909 cars were made in this series.

For many, it is an interesting Ferrari GT with potential. Not so rare, but very stylish, with strong V12 under hood. Demand is steady, prices ranging from very high for perfect specimen to quite low for frowzy ones.

Problems

Some cars may be cheap, but look carefully – they would need large amount of money for servicing if you do not choose right car. For sure look for service history and a specimen that received good care. The car needs major service every 15 000 kms.

What to look at? Rust is problem – you need rust free car for sure. Other weak spot is electrics, mostly if car is not used regularly. Brakes are effective expensive. Gearbox may suffer with failed servo pump, used for the transmission and also for brakes.

Particular vehicle

Offered here a 400i Automatica in sought-after European specification (with metric gauges) came in Rosso Corsa and beige leather interior. It was imported to Europe from Japan in 2011 and from 2015 onwards found its home in Czech Republic. I went through restoration process – complex renovation of bodywork means, that it is nice and completely rust-free, with new shiny paint in original shade. Original interior was only cleaned a refreshed. Correct engine F101C 010 was serviced recently (in 2020) and has new fillings and spark plugs.

The car is absolutely rust-free, is in superb shape, with shiny classy colour and clean interior. It runs well with no issues need to be solved. It is ready to give lots of pleasure to new owner. Some may lack the typical carburettor style, but a reliable injection system ensures a smooth engine performance. The transmission calmly transmits power to the road with dignity, power steering does not lack precision and brakes power. Nice specimen of amazing, sleek GT, that is still unnecessarily underestimated.

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