1980 FERRARI 400

I’ve reluctantly decided to part with my 1980 Blue Chiaro over beige 400i. It’s a series one model so has the nicer wooden centre console, the metric wheels but not the self-levelling rear suspension.

It’s very recently converted to electronic ignition which is discreetly located on the bulkhead behind the battery. It starts instantly and runs, and drives, very well. The manual gear change is particularly a pleasure to use with a solid mechanical shift feel and no reluctance or issues in any gear.

In the cabin all of the gauges work as they should, with no additional lights illuminated. Some of the heating controls are stiff and the right hand fan doesn’t work, along with the air conditioning, though the AC system is all in place under the bonnet.

The seats are in great shape with a patina commensurate with age while the dash and headlining are immaculate. There’s a small tear in the leather of one door card.

The electric windows work remarkably well for an Italian car of this period and are very quick both up and down. Similarly the wonderful pop-up lights are in perfect working order.

Cosmetically the car shows well from a distance but the bodywork has bubbling in the usual places in front and behind the wheels as well as along the tops of the front and rear windows and below the rear side windows. There’s also a small scuff behind the offside rear wheel.

The wheels are immaculate though the tyres are old, however without any apparent cracks or splits. Useable enough but I wouldn’t be looking to pin the needle at 100mph and head to Monaco anytime soon.

I bought the car as a useable long term project but I also have a 308GTB in a similar condition and I’ve had to be realistic about the funds I have available and one car sadly needs to go.