RE: Ferrari 412: Spotted

RE: Ferrari 412: Spotted

Author
Discussion

Dinoboy

2,508 posts

218 months

Saturday 24th March 2018
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Always loved these, a 400 manual would be my choice. And there not as slow as that 0-60 time suggests, once there up and moving there pretty fast.

TR4man

5,230 posts

175 months

Saturday 24th March 2018
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Daft as it may seem, the one featured seems quite good value when compared to a manual version of its predecessor. https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C963213

Good God - I can remember when you couldn't give 400/412s away. A mint example would be up for sale for £10k for months with no takers.

P5BNij

15,875 posts

107 months

Saturday 24th March 2018
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Couple of 400 series in the auction at the NEC restoration show this weekend...


BigChiefmuffinAgain

1,068 posts

99 months

Saturday 24th March 2018
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Always liked the look of these, as always liked the idea of a svelte 70's gentleman's express. Researched a lot about 10 years ago and was put off by serious running costs. Working on the engine is apparently really hard. Space is tight in the engine bay.

Never drove one but what I read was very complimentary, even at the time it came out.

This one looks in only so so condition, which could hide a multitude of sins...

Agree with earlier post - 456 is a better money pit.

And respect to whoever bought the Bitter....

Ex Expat

56 posts

76 months

Saturday 24th March 2018
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Always loved the 365, 400 and 412! Shape has grown on me even more down the years but it would have to be a manual and the bills are just scary! Congrats on the Bitter SC, really fancied the earlier CD https://m.classic-trader.com/uk/cars/listing/bitte...
This one makes the 412 look fantastic value particularly when you see the Opel Diplomat interior!

0a

23,902 posts

195 months

Saturday 24th March 2018
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It's the auto which is unforgivable for me. Who ordered a ferrari like this with an auto!?

forzaminardi

2,290 posts

188 months

Saturday 24th March 2018
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0a said:
It's the auto which is unforgivable for me. Who ordered a ferrari like this with an auto!?
Auto suits the nature of the car, in my opinion.

Helicopter123

8,831 posts

157 months

Saturday 24th March 2018
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0a said:
It's the auto which is unforgivable for me. Who ordered a ferrari like this with an auto!?
Maybe am elderly gent, or perhaps someone with a disability?

jet_noise

5,658 posts

183 months

Saturday 24th March 2018
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Gameface said:
Few years back at a country pub, we were sitting in the beer garden and a dark blue one of these pulled in.

But what really piqued my interest was the fact the driver was taking his whole family out for lunch in it. Wife and two youngish kids.

Very cool Sunday family transport, I thought.
Yes please, dark blue really suits the flatter lines of this 'un.
I'll wait till the next classic car price crash and one of these would be a very serious contender.

Ex Expat

56 posts

76 months

Saturday 24th March 2018
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0a said:
It's the auto which is unforgivable for me. Who ordered a ferrari like this with an auto!?
As mentioned in the article 70% of these were Autos. Very much the market they were aiming at and most of the competition were auto only. Agree it’s a shame as I think the auto would sap a lot of the performance and probably why the rare manuals are worth so much more.

Fermit The Krog and Sexy Sarah

13,031 posts

101 months

Saturday 24th March 2018
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27 years ago, a lad at school's dad had a 412. At the time the summary in CAR's Good/Bad/Ugly for it was simply 'HGV'.

He wasn't pleased at being shown that, and less so every time he bought up that his dad has a Ferrari people replied 'what, the HGV?'

He did lend himself to it mind, coming to school every day in his Ferrari cap and jacket.

JMF894

5,510 posts

156 months

Saturday 24th March 2018
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Strela said:
From the time I first opened a book about Ferraris when I was about five years old, these have been the only Ferrari I've ever really hankered for. I pondered the car in this ad, as this dealer shifts a few of them, but I just can't quite bring myself to take the plunge on a 40 year old Italian V12. Instead, I've just bought its even rarer but slightly more sensible little brother. One of these (not this exact one, but same colour - haven't actually seen it in the metal yet!)





Edited by Strela on Saturday 24th March 09:56
Beat me to it! shoot

Dad ran one or two of these as he worked for Gordon Lamb Concessionaires, the UK's only importer as I recall of Bitter cars back in the 80s.

Get yourself a nice 3.9 and then with the money saved over the fezza tickle that GM straight 6.................

JMF894

5,510 posts

156 months

Saturday 24th March 2018
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Ex Expat said:
0a said:
It's the auto which is unforgivable for me. Who ordered a ferrari like this with an auto!?
As mentioned in the article 70% of these were Autos. Very much the market they were aiming at and most of the competition were auto only. Agree it’s a shame as I think the auto would sap a lot of the performance and probably why the rare manuals are worth so much more.
I'd want a manual to stoke that V12 tbh. 340 bhp and 0-60 in 8.3?

The Bitter SC 3.9 had only 210bhp and managed about the same.

South tdf

1,530 posts

196 months

Saturday 24th March 2018
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0a said:
It's the auto which is unforgivable for me. Who ordered a ferrari like this with an auto!?
Agree, 3 speed auto is dire.

Lots of these were converted in the US to soft tops with mixed results but these seem to be hated in the used market.

0a

23,902 posts

195 months

Saturday 24th March 2018
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Ex Expat said:
0a said:
It's the auto which is unforgivable for me. Who ordered a ferrari like this with an auto!?
As mentioned in the article 70% of these were Autos. Very much the market they were aiming at and most of the competition were auto only. Agree it’s a shame as I think the auto would sap a lot of the performance and probably why the rare manuals are worth so much more.
Indeed, at the time.

Nowadays we have incredible auto transmissions, so this auto dates the car and prevents enjoyment.

Now, in 2018, I would only ever consider a manual one of these. It's interesting that the autos are worth anything at all, let alone the amount claimed in the article!

Jimmy Recard

17,540 posts

180 months

Saturday 24th March 2018
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People find it odd, but the 412 has always been my favourite Ferrari (apart from the 288 GTO, but that's so rare it's an exception). If I'd bought it new, I probably would have wanted the automatic but now I'd want a manual.

howardhughes

1,012 posts

205 months

Saturday 24th March 2018
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I remember seeing one as a child in Switzerland on route to Italy. I was freaking out with excitement wink

What a car.

s m

23,243 posts

204 months

Saturday 24th March 2018
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Strela said:
The more discreet colours really suit the lines. Red ones are a bit of an eyeful. This 365 is gorgeous..

Reminds me of the old Aston Martin Lagondas a bit


to3m

1,226 posts

171 months

Saturday 24th March 2018
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Never been much into Ferraris, but I always liked these, and the 456 too. Didn’t realise the automatic version was that slow, though!

s m

23,243 posts

204 months

Saturday 24th March 2018
quotequote all
to3m said:
Never been much into Ferraris, but I always liked these, and the 456 too. Didn’t realise the automatic version was that slow, though!
Did make me smile that people were pooh-poohing a 1.4 Corsa for having the same performance earlier this week
All is forgiven for a horse and a V12