The successor to Ferrari’s ‘365 GT4 2+2’ made its debut at the 1976 Paris Motor Show.
The ‘400’ was basically a more powerful version of the Italian sports car manufacturer’s ‘365’. The bodywork, chassis and engine were further upgraded to comply with the prevailing standards and requirements.
Like its predecessor, the 400 was a Grand Tourer, with a classic V12 front engine. It was also the first Ferrari on the market with an automatic transmission, in addition to the manual transmission.
In 1979, the second generation of the ‘400’ was launched, and the carburettors were replaced with a fuel injection to comply with increasingly stricter emissions standards. The 400i was ready to hit the road…
In the following years, further improvements were made to the car’s bodywork, engine, interior…, culminating in the launch of the Ferrari ‘412’ in 1985.
‘Collection by Vermant’ is pleased to offer this April 1980 Ferrari 400i for sale, on behalf of a Ferrari collector. The car is immaculate original condition, with matching numbers, a powerful 4.8-litre V12 engine (306 hp). The power is delivered to the rear wheels through a 3-speed automatic gearbox.
The car was delivered to its first owner, Mr. M.A Cowan, on 19 September 1980 by UK-based “Maranello Concessionaires Limited”. The car was finished in beautiful Grigio Argento Metallic and came with a black leather interior with red accents. The owner paid £34,057 for this splendid car. The documents show that the Ferrari replaced an Aston Martin V8.
The car was frequently used in the early years – and impeccably maintained, as attested by the original service book, invoices and MOT documents:
6 October 1980 = Service 1,200 miles
1 December 1980 = Service 3,000 miles
2 March 1981 = Service 6,250 miles
8 May 1981 = Service 12,500 Miles
28 September 1981 = Service 18,750 miles
24 March 1982 = Service 25,000 miles
13 July 1982 = Service 31,250 miles
1 December 1982 = Service 40,000 miles
20 June 1984 = MOT 43,234 miles
11 August 1984 = Service 43,750 miles
9 September 1985 = MOT 44,677 miles
3 January 1986 = Service 50,000 miles
21 May 1987 = MOT 55,282 miles
5 June 1988 = MOT 57,820 miles
23 August 1988 = Service 56,250 miles
30 October 1990 = MOT 59,548 miles
At the end of 1990, the car was purchased by a flamboyant Italian, who had travelled to London to ring in the New Year. During his short jaunt, he decided to buy this stunning Italian thoroughbred for himself.
He drove the ‘400’ from London to his home on Lago Maggiore, incurring a stiff fine en route – because of his enthusiasm. This ‘memento’ comes with the car.
The car was used infrequently and retained its original British number plate. Nonetheless, it was superbly maintained in the following 25 years by the owner’s personal mechanic.
In 2015, the current owner, a Belgian Ferrari collector, bought the car.
Since then the ‘400’ has covered a mere 60,772 original miles, with several investments made in the car in the last five years. The car received new brakes and a stainless-steel exhaust system, the injection system was fully revised, a new original steering wheel (NOS) was fitted and the car underwent a major service.
Finally, the electrical systems were checked and the bumpers restored…No effort was saved.
Moreover, this 400i comes with all the correspondence prior to the sale, a copy of the purchase invoice, the Ferrari UK price list, multiple invoices, MOT documents, the sales agreement and the original document folder with the owner’s manual and service book. The original spare wheel and jack in its bag as well as the rare toolkit can be found in the boot.
An exceptional opportunity to acquire a 400i in its original condition, which has been used for just ten years and has always been cherished by its owners. A genuine car, with a patina and history, at an unbeatable price!
More information & +75 pictures: www.collectionbyvermant.be
