1984 Ferrari 400i
A 2+2 luxury V12 Grand Touring car that could seat four with comfort and refinement.
The 400i improved on the 365GT/4, then morphed into the 412, marking the longest production run of any Ferrari series to date.
Classic, now timeless modern angular lines
When most people hear the word Ferrari, the 400i is not the first car to come to mind. A development of the 365 GT4 2+2, and the 400, the 400i was an ultra-luxurious grand touring continental crosser. It was quite advanced and slightly controversial, as it was the first Ferrari to feature an automatic transmission. This specific model is rare and one of only 420 equipped with a manual transmission. The automatic transmission was intended to be used for the US market, but ultimately no 400is were sold in US dealerships. Enzo felt that the constantly evolving safety and environmental regulations in the United States would require several updates made to the car each year, which would too costly. The second owner purchased this specific car when it was only a year old and was kept until it sold at auction this past January. It is a late-production, European-specification example finished in the beautiful and unusual color of Bruno Acajou-Brown Mahogany. This specific 400i is highly sought after and is one of the finest original example.
The Ferrari 365 GT4 2+2 debuted at the 1972 Paris Auto Show. Ferrari turned to frequent styling partner Leonardo Fioravanti at Pininfarina, whose three-box design for the 365 GT4 2+2 was a clear departure from its fastback predecessor, the 365 GTC/4. It followed Fioravanti's Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona as the second Ferrari to feature the characteristic swage line dividing the body into upper and lower halves.
A revised version appeared at Paris in 1976. Called the 400 GT, its V-12 displaced 4.8-liters. But the most important mechanical change was the gearbox: This was the first Ferrari available with a factory-installed automatic transmission. Ferrari adapted General Motors’ state-of-the-art three-speed Turbo-Hydramatic for use with the V-12 and created the Ferrari 400i Automatic. It was a popular move for owners.
The 400i has been known as a ‘gentlemen’s express,’ a car that offered the performance and experience of a 12-cylinder front-engine car with a degree of comfort and refinement that made the car more usable. Independent front and rear suspension provided the car with sporty handling characteristics, and rear self-leveling units kept the ride comfortable and refined.
With a relaxed seating position, more interior space, functional air conditioning, and power steering, the 400i achieves a pleasant balance between a thoroughbred sports car and a luxury grand touring car. Because of America’s new smog and safety regulations, the car could not be imported into the United States though some number entered the U.S. legally as grey market vehicles. The 400i morphed into the 412 in 1985, and produced until 1989, marking the longest production run for any Ferrari series to date.
Specifications:
Configuration: Front Engine, Rear Wheel Drive
Engine: 4.8 Liter V12
Horsepower: 310 @ 6,400 RPM
Transmission: 5-Speed Manual
Top Speed: 150 MPH
Curb Weight: 4,010 Pounds