Tuesday 2nd April 2024

One-of-24 manual Ferrari 412 for sale

Remember when Maranello's radical V12 GT was a boxy bargain? Those days look to be over...

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When Ferrari announced the Purosangue back in 2022, I’ll admit that I wasn’t quite as outraged at the prospect of the Prancing Horse producing a not-SUV as many others were. Of course, there’s the sheer curiosity of seeing whether Ferrari, which arguably hasn’t missed a beat in years, could convincingly pull off a high-riding, four-door V12 supercar (and going off Matt’s recent review of the Purosangue, it absolutely has). But from a purely ‘purist’ viewpoint, Enzo Ferrari only got into the road car business to help fund the Scuderia racing team. It was about giving customers what they were willing to spend their hard-earned on, just as Ferrari is doing now with the Purosangue.

Anyhoo, this obviously isn’t Ferrari’s newest V12 GT, but it was as controversial in the 20th century as the Purosangue has been this side of the millennium. Launched in 1972, the 365 GT4 2+2 was a radical departure from the ultra-sleek silhouettes of its predecessors. Even the 365 GTB/4, which itself introduced a bold new design language three years prior, seemed relatively conventional compared to the three-box look that Pininfarina’s Leonardo Fioravanti had sketched for Ferrari’s new grand tourer. The reception was, well, mixed. The angular design wasn’t nearly as appealing as Ferrari’s previous offerings, meaning the GT4, along with the follow-up 400 and 412, have long lingered near the bottom of the desirability pile.

Calling it pretty may be a bit of a stretch, but there’s no denying the GT4 - or 412 that you see here - lacks presence. The outstretched bonnet, rakish windscreen and tapered rear end produce a razor-sharp side profile, while the interior marked a giant leap forward over its predecessor and was much more driver-focused. It was pretty hi-tech, too, with self-levelling rear suspension, automatic air conditioning and electric windows. So, no, it isn’t one of Ferrari or Pininfarina’s more beautiful creations, but it did make a mighty fine GT. It’s even said that it was one of Enzo's favourite road cars - which is a big deal for a man who rarely sampled his wares.

The formula was refined in 1976 with the 400, the first Ferrari to be offered as an automatic, while the 400i saw power dip to 310hp owing to tougher emission tests, though an update in 1982 unlocked an extra 5hp courtesy of a new exhaust manifold and reworked camshafts. The 412 like the one we have here was the run-out model, arriving 13 years after the GT4’s release. Displacement increased from 4.8 to 4.9-litres, raising power back to a GT4-matching 340hp, while another Ferrari first came with standard anti-lock brakes. Sadly, the upgrades weren’t enough to elevate sales: just 576 examples were produced, with only 82 believed to have been made in right-hand drive.

Fewer still were manual, with the vendor claiming that only 24 right-hookers were fitted with the five-speed cog swapper. This, thankfully, is one of them, finished in the ultimate Ferrari combo of red over a light tan interior. Being a 1988 example means it’s one of the last of the line, too, with production ending a year later and, with it, a hiatus on 2+2 V12 Ferraris until the arrival of the 456 in the early 1990s.

The price? You’ll need to give the seller a ring for that, but bear in mind that it’s a relatively low-mile car (a little over 56,000 miles on the clock) with an extensive history file and, judging by the pictures, is in decent nick inside and out. For reference, this 1986 example can be had for £69,995, and while it too seems to be in excellent condition (and looks splendid in metallic blue), it’s usually best to set aside a bit more for a Rosso car. Strong money for a car that could be had for around half the price a few years ago, which just goes to show that time has been kind to the 412. Wonder if we’ll be saying the same about the Purosangue in 40 years time…

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See the original advert here

[Baddie]

The final iteration of the Columbo V12 after more than 4 decades in use. For me, especially in dark blue, these now have an understated elegance.

[wistec1]

Beyond Ugly. Even pigeons fly upside down over this cos it's not worth stting on.

[TR4man]

I love it and if I could afford the asking price would be delighted to own it (although I think I’d prefer the more discreet blue example).

So much more classy and elegant than today’s flash, in-your-face Ferraris.

[Snubs]

A mistake of a design alongside the 308 GT4 and Mondial.

[Black S2K]

TR4man said:

I love it and if I could afford the asking price would be delighted to own it (although I think I’d prefer the more discreet blue example).

So much more classy and elegant than today’s flash, in-your-face Ferraris.

I was thinking likewise!

Reminded me of a brown auto I saw for £4,495. I was potless back then, but that's what became of one's currency...

[Kipsrs]

If one looks at the majority of car designs from the 70’s and into the 80’s I would say this is quite cutting edge and probably one of the better looking cars from that era, certainly things have moved on in the aesthetics department for some, or have they? I’d rather this than a twenty first century EV thing! And that’s not because I’m anti EV, like those who have expressed their dislike for the 412, I haven’t yet seen an EV that I like the look of! Of course that’s just my own thoughts.

[Fetchez la vache]

TR4man said:

I love it and if I could afford the asking price would be delighted to own it (although I think I’d prefer the more discreet blue example).

So much more classy and elegant than today’s flash, in-your-face Ferraris.

Absolutely.
I'm glad people don't always like the same things - though you'd never believe that since anything other than certain German brands always get a kicking on here...

[Petrus1983]

The article has the wrong link, here's the correct one -

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/15297186

POA

[Turbobanana]

Growing up in the eighties, I always wished someone would "do a Walkinshaw" and enter a 412 in the World or European Touring Car Championship. Imagine standing at Eau Rouge / Raidillon and watching a horde of these, XJS V12s and 635s charging towards you in the wet, plumes of spray leaping from side-exit exhausts.

As an advocate of brighter colours on cars, this is unusual for me as I think they look a lot better in darker, muted hues.

[Cam Tait]

Petrus1983 said:

The article has the wrong link, here's the correct one -

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/15297186

POA

Ah, thanks for the spot! All fixed, proper links in place now.

[edoverheels]

Great car. I’d happily have that but as others have said, a manual but in blue would be perfect.

[Every day a journey]

Love these since the days of my old man's 400.......but not in red.

[Augustus Windsock]

There was a Greek guy who had a chip shop in the village I lived in that had one when I was a teen, iirc it was a 400 in TdF blue. Languishing to the back of the premises was a Jensen Interceptor.
I really like these although they do look better ‘in the metal’ to me.
Does anyone else remember these being broken for spares as the cost of major repairs outweighed the market value of the car.
I seem to recall that an exhaust system was eye-wateringly expensive back in the 90’s which probably accounts for them being broken.
I must be getting old as I remember seeing them up for 1/4 of the asking price of this example.
Personally I’d love one, TdF blue with tan interior would be my choice, but I fear I’ve missed the boat price-wise..

[BVB]

Gorgeous car. How I wish I had picked one up when they were still relatively well priced.

[suffolk009]

It looked good in Rain Man.

But these have traditionally the measure of an iminent collapse in classic car values - once people start looking favourably at them and prices rise, the market is about to implode.

[s m]

Augustus Windsock said:

There was a Greek guy who had a chip shop in the village I lived in that had one when I was a teen, iirc it was a 400 in TdF blue.
Personally I’d love one, TdF blue with tan interior would be my choice, but I fear I’ve missed the boat price-wise..

Sure it wasn’t the Pizza Guy and his delivery car??? Delivery charge was more than the pizza though

Car appears after a few seconds …..

[LotusOmega375D]

It’s funny how this model looks so wrong in Ferrari red. I remember a kid at schooI used to get picked up by his Dad occasionally in a blue V reg 400i. I actually like the design and don’t see anything wrong with it. Just not Rosso.

[TheOctaneAddict]

Lovely.

I remember seeing a really ratty one of these 4 up on the way back from silverstone, looked so good even with missing paint and tarnished trim.

[BigChiefmuffinAgain]

I think these are very elegant and understated, and a far better design than the 365 2+2 that preceded it.

Don't think the manual box was the best ( which is one of the reasons why they're so rare ) and an auto definitely better suited its GT role. Can be very expensive to run and repair - engine bay is cramped and a confetti of wires and pipes.

[S600BSB]

Lovely thing.