Any love for the Ferrari 400 here? Anyone?
Discussion
Not much discussion on the 365/400/412 here so I thought I would post some pics of my 1983 400i (yes, it's an automatic...)
Originally a UK car before it came here to Oz and had a major restoration by the last owner. I've owned it for two years now. I think they are quite a cool car, but obviously considered a bit of an unloved orphan by those who remember them (which probably isn't many).
Originally a UK car before it came here to Oz and had a major restoration by the last owner. I've owned it for two years now. I think they are quite a cool car, but obviously considered a bit of an unloved orphan by those who remember them (which probably isn't many).
Lord Flathead said:
Wow! That looks lovely. I have always had a soft spot for these and went to look at one priced at £12k a couple of years ago. The dealer that had it did an excellent job of saying that is was a 'poor man's Ferrari' and out of principle alone I did not buy the car from him. I regret this very much now as they are stunning and prices are on the increase. To me, these cars are about the period and the Pininfarina styling.. and also about saying 'up yours' to the oil crisis which the market was then recovering from 
Some questions if I may:
1) What is the GM auto box like to live with when coupled with that glorious V12? Is it like a modern auto that changes down at the earliest opportunity, or do you need a firm prod to get the kick-down engaged? I should imagine that there is plenty of torque, but is the Ferrari V12 a screaming howler (as expected), or is the engine in the 400 more in keeping with a true GT car and more flexible, not just top end performance?
2) How is it in the corners when making progress? I know it's a heavy car, but so was my friends XJS and that appeared to defy the laws of physics on fast bends.
3) How hard is it to source parts for? I live next to Verdi but I've always wondered where you get parts from, and if there are breakers/parts specialists for this car. My 928GT is already showing up as parts no longer available from Porche, and that is only 20 years old. This is not something I was expecting to find, and it has conditioned me to look for these issues with future purchases.
I love these large GT's and would still definitely consider one if the right one came along. Thanks for posting the pics, it looks lovely. Any updates would be appreciated.
Thanks for your comments. You're right in saying they are not a "poor man's Ferrari". They may be less costly to buy than a Daytona or BB 512 but they are still a costly car to maintain. I have spent quite a bit on mine having the fuel injection re-built, rear dampers reconditioned etc. My car had a hugely expensive restoration carried out by the previous owner in 2000 but still there have been issues to resolve with the car. Having said that, once the car is set-up properly and fully sorted then routine maintenance shouldn't be too expensive. I still have a few things to sort-out on mine but it has always been 100% reliable. Starts instantly, doesn't overheat even on a 35c Sydney day etc. As to your questions...Some questions if I may:
1) What is the GM auto box like to live with when coupled with that glorious V12? Is it like a modern auto that changes down at the earliest opportunity, or do you need a firm prod to get the kick-down engaged? I should imagine that there is plenty of torque, but is the Ferrari V12 a screaming howler (as expected), or is the engine in the 400 more in keeping with a true GT car and more flexible, not just top end performance?
2) How is it in the corners when making progress? I know it's a heavy car, but so was my friends XJS and that appeared to defy the laws of physics on fast bends.
3) How hard is it to source parts for? I live next to Verdi but I've always wondered where you get parts from, and if there are breakers/parts specialists for this car. My 928GT is already showing up as parts no longer available from Porche, and that is only 20 years old. This is not something I was expecting to find, and it has conditioned me to look for these issues with future purchases.
I love these large GT's and would still definitely consider one if the right one came along. Thanks for posting the pics, it looks lovely. Any updates would be appreciated.
1) To be honest the 3 speed auto is probably the aspect of the car that dates it the most. It changes smoothly and makes it easy to drive around town (apart from the huge turning circle) but you are left waiting for it to change into the non-existant 4th gear at higher speeds. At 70mph it is turning at about 3600 rpm which makes it quite busy when cruising. Having said that, put your foot down at that speed and it flies... Around town it is plenty quick enough but a little lazy. Your 928 would feel much more lively around town, at speed the 400 really gets going. I haven't driven a 5 speed manual but I imagine it would better suit the high revving V12, although you may lose its "waft-ability" around town.
2) The handling is surprisingly good. The steering is a little slow, but for its size and age it will shift down a twisty road pretty well. It feels quite quite solid and well damped and it is easy enough to get it sliding on those TRX tyres... The ride is really comfortable as well. My wife much prefers riding in it to my Porsche 964. The cabin feels roomy and airy, different to a Porsche.
3) Parts availability can be an issue. Most mechanical and electrical parts are shared with other Ferraris and are available from specialists like Superformance in the UK or Ricambi in the US. FerrParts are also great for tricky parts like the self-levelling Koni rear dampers (there are 2 each side) which are NLA so have to be re-built as they tend to leak. eBay also turns-up some obscure parts. Things like interior trim are very hard to find. Gerry from Forza Parts in Sydney has a veritable Alladin's cave of rare parts too. Hope this helps. They are a special and unique car. Before I bought mine I had a 1982 Aston Martin V8 Auto. I would say that the 400i feels much more refined, handles at least as well, though perhaps not as quick.
Lord Flathead said:
Some great information there thank you both. Verdi, my local service agent, has gone bust (apparently in a rather controversial way) and they were about a mile from where I live. Not sure if that's a good thing or not!
What you have said was also backed up by a guy I met at the Ace Cafe this summer that had a mint 412GT in black. He was very pleased with it and so he should be it was lovely.
Do you get acceptance from the other Ferrari owners when you go to meets? I have a friend that used to own a Mondial and they weren't very appreciative that he owned a Mondial, whereas there were plenty of 308's at various meets that were welcomed. I find this very strange, not that I would give a damn what people thought of my car choice.. well I bought a Porsche
I am going to keep an eye open and see if the right one pops up. I absolutely love those squared off parallel lines, that are so 80's / Pininfarina. I've done the thrashy cars, and I love true GT's of which my 928 is legendary for eating miles at speed in comfort. This is most certainly an itch I really need to scratch. Why don't you put it in the Readers Cars section? That way we can follow the progress
I have only recently joined the Ferrari Club here in Australia, so I can't really comment on reactions from other Ferrari owners. However the car seems to get a very positive response from people in general. Good idea about the Reader's Cars section. I'll get around to that.What you have said was also backed up by a guy I met at the Ace Cafe this summer that had a mint 412GT in black. He was very pleased with it and so he should be it was lovely.
Do you get acceptance from the other Ferrari owners when you go to meets? I have a friend that used to own a Mondial and they weren't very appreciative that he owned a Mondial, whereas there were plenty of 308's at various meets that were welcomed. I find this very strange, not that I would give a damn what people thought of my car choice.. well I bought a Porsche
I am going to keep an eye open and see if the right one pops up. I absolutely love those squared off parallel lines, that are so 80's / Pininfarina. I've done the thrashy cars, and I love true GT's of which my 928 is legendary for eating miles at speed in comfort. This is most certainly an itch I really need to scratch. Why don't you put it in the Readers Cars section? That way we can follow the progress
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