Bring a trailer - 1981 Ferrari 400i

They keep coming:

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1981-ferrari-400-5/ 

Ferrari Pinin Four Door Saloon

3 new articles about the Ferrari Pinin has been added to the download folder:

UK_1980_Autoweek Magazine
UK_2018_Enzo Magazine
UK_2020_AutoItalia Magazine

Barn finds : 10K Original Miles: 1985 Ferrari 400i

 

https://barnfinds.com/10k-original-miles-1985-ferrari-400i/

https://www.ebay.com/itm/334881135043

BAT : No Reserve: LS2-Powered 1987 Ferrari 412 GT 6-Speed

 It's another true story:

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1987-ferrari-412-gt-3/

https://www.carscoops.com/2023/05/turn-the-purists-purple-with-this-pontiac-powered-camo-wrapped-ferrari-412-gto/

Auction - Ferrari 400 Automatic RHD - Sir Max Aitken

This auction is closing shortly and I'm adding it here for the records as it does contain some details about the 1st owner and the actual order

https://themarket.bonhams.com/us/listings/ferrari/400/3fe7f75c-9ae5-4cd7-a2ba-242d3005b4b9#lg=1&slide=236

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sir_Max_Aitken,_2nd_Baronet

Bring a trailer : 1985 Ferrari 400i Straman Convertible

 Enjoy the comments:

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1985-ferrari-400-2/

Book Ferrari 70 years by Dennis Adler - Chapter 9 - Contemporary Ferrari road cars 1980 to present

 This chapter is now available in the download folder

Sports Car Market magazine article by Donald Osborne : Comfort zone abandoned

 An older article from 2019 which I missed out. Thanks for sharing Ernest. Now available in the download folder:

Book - Illustrated Ferrari Buyer's guide 1981 by Dean Batchelor - Ferrari 365GT4 2+2 and Ferrari 400

 Now available in the download folder:

1984 Ferrari 400i by Pavesi - Palmen collection

What a pitty to see the car in this condition, especially with the missing interior. Adding it here for the records. 

See my previous blog about this collection and this 400i:

https://erwin400.blogspot.com/2023/04/dutch-barnfind-auction-palmen-barnfind.html

THE PALMEN BARNFIND COLLECTION BY GALLERY AALDERING - AUCTIONED BY CLASSIC CAR AUCTIONS

— View the entire auction on www.classiccar-auctions.com —

The Ferrari 400i is a Gran Turismo car produced by the Italian car brand Ferrari between 1976 and 1989. It was one of the first Ferrari models to feature an automatic transmission, and was also one of the first Ferraris to feature a V12 engine with fuel injection. The Ferrari 400i automatic transmission is a special version of the Ferrari 400i where the car is equipped with an automatic transmission instead of a manual transmission. It was one of the first Ferrari models to be equipped with an automatic transmission, which made driving in this sports car more comfortable. The 400i had a 4.8-liter V12 engine with a capacity of approximately 315 hp and a torque of 400 Nm. The car had a top speed of about 240 km/h and could accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in about 7 seconds. The design of the car was based on the Pininfarina styling and the interior was luxurious. The Ferrari 400i was a popular choice among collectors and classic car enthusiasts because of its rarity and exclusivity. During its 13 years of production, a total of 883 units were produced with manual transmission. This special version of the Ferrari 400i is produced by the coachbuilder Pavesi. Unfortunately the interior is not present.

The cars on offer are part of a static collection that has been accumulated over the last 40 years. They are mainly in an unrestored, original but dusty condition. We have not tried to start any of the cars. We have been informed that the engines have been turned, on a regular basis, but the exact condition of the cars and the engines is unknown to us.

https://www.classicdriver.com/de/car/ferrari/400/1984/966700

Ferrari 400i manual special build

Apparently this one is residing in Brasil and the 1st owner was Howard Keck :

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howard_Keck

And 2 other blogs:

https://erwin400.blogspot.com/2018/03/brazil-sao-paolo-ferrari-400i.html

https://erwin400.blogspot.com/2021/07/sao-paulo-brasil-ferrari.html

I'm not sure what specifically was taylor made for him. Looks standard to me. Maybe it was the name tag only :-)

Ferrari 400i GT Taylor Made Ispirazioni 1983. In São Paulo SP.

340hp front 4.8 V12 engine with 5-speed manual transmission.

What sets this apart from any other 400i is its impressive condition and unique history. With only 14,700 original km and exclusive configurations ordered "Taylor Made Ispirazioni" at the factory by its first, and almost only, owner, oil tycoon Howard Keck, make this Ferrari a unique collector's item.

https://www.facebook.com/Creebbrasil/posts/234502699250804

Youtube - Danmark : Uffe Holm og Mads Christiansen stoppet af POLITIET i en Ferrari 400i

I have no idea what they are saying but clearly this a very nice gentleman cruiser. Enjoy the ride:

Autovisie : Controverse stond succes niet in de weg

The Dutch version by Autovisie (published in March - so yes, I'm a bit behind). The original version got published by Magazine  Classic and Sportscar: see this blog

http://erwin400.blogspot.com/2023/02/magazine-classic-and-sportscar-march.html

In any case, this Dutch edition is now also available in the download folder.

Project : Converting a gated Manual 812 engine into a 412

Well, what can I say, a very interesting project by https://omdsandiego.com/

Hereby the first few episodes:

Brand New Build, and I Already Broke It!!!! / Ferrari 412 Ep. 1 - YouTube

 

Pulling The Old Engine and Revealing the New Engine!! / Ferrari 412 Ep. 2 - YouTube

Gated Manual Ferrari 812!!! / Ferrari 412 Ep. 3 - YouTube

Remarkably they are using this Ferrari 412 from the Netherlands which was imported from California and apparently now sold back to the USA again. 

https://www.gallery-aaldering.com/nl/ferrari-412i-1987/

Bummer they are using a low mileage car for this project. Oh well. 

Today, 8-5-2023 I bumped into this article:  https://engineswapdepot.com/?p=100116

And I noticed episode 4 is published now:

Sildrome article : The Ferrari 412i: The Affordable Colombo V12 Ferrari

Happy reading:

https://silodrome.com/ferrari-412i/

BAT - for sale : 1982 Ferrari 400i

Another one on Bring a trailer, they keep coming:

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1982-ferrari-400i-16/

Ferrari 412 low mileage - first owner : Sheikh Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah

 I bumped into this post on Ferrarichat whereby someone posted his purchase on an auction last year. It did include details about the first owner. Also having a very low mileage. So adding it here for the records.

"1987 Ferrari 412 in Marrone metallizzato with a tan leather interior, and 6,400 original miles. The previous owner was His Highness Sheikh Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah (Arabic: ناصر صباح الأحمد الصباح; 27 April 1948 – 20 December 2020) who was the First Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense of Kuwait !!"

Another exciting restoration project for sale : 1983 Ferrari 400i Beverly Hills

Any takers:

 https://www.beverlyhillscarclub.com/1983-ferrari-400i-c-15256.htm

PRICE:	$29,950
YEAR:	1983
MAKE:	FERRARI
MODEL:	400I
COLOR:	METALLIC BLUE
STOCK:	16238

Ferrari 400i Automatic Convertible by Robert Jankel for sale

These photo's got posted in our Facebook group with the comment it's for sale.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/8727831092/permalink/10160852667971093/

I believe it's currently residing in Japan, see photo's from a previous blog:

https://erwin400.blogspot.com/2020/02/ferrari-400i-spider-covertible.html

Greetings from Italia

Yesterday I received twice fanmail from Italy. It does take them nearly a year to send and you have to pay them within 5 days to avoid a higher penalty. Typical.

Furthermore the photo's are of a lesser quality than the previous one, bummer!

https://erwin400.blogspot.com/2023/02/post-from-italy.html

Auction : Ferrari 400i Automatic 1980 RHD

 If you are in for a challenge:

https://www.mathewsons.co.uk/auction/lot/lot-68---1980-ferrari-400i/?lot=12762

Bring a trailer : Ferrari 412 5 speed

Clean! As always, enjoy the comments:

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1988-ferrari-412-gt-2/

Dutch Barnfind - Auction : The Palmen Barnfind Collection

Well, this one was hard to ignore as it went all over the place. A unique Dutch barn find.

Apparently it was discovered due to a fire that happened a few weeks/months back. It even hit 
the Dutch newspaper today with a supporting video:

https://www.ad.nl/video/productie/mysterieuze-nederlandse-schuurvondst-ontdekt-door-brand-369186

The collection was stored in 3 seperated locations and covers 230 cars in total.

They will now be auctioned later this year by The Gallery in Brummen (Aaldering). He bought the whole lot. See supporting video:

https://www.gallery-aaldering.com/nl/the-palmen-barnfind-collection-by-gallery-aaldering/

And the auction: https://www.classiccar-auctions.com/palmen/

The Dutch Octane Magazine published this article online and also in the printed magazine:

https://www.octanemagazine.nl/mega-schuurvondst-in-dordrecht/

And another Dutch blog: 

https://www.autoblog.nl/nieuws/uniek-nederlandse-barnfind-van-230-autos-3480408

In our car whatsapp group there was someone who happened to live very nearby this place and knew about it. When he was younger boy delivering the newspapers he used to stop at one of the locations and peeked inside. Another guy reported one of the properties was sold recently and the link on Funda:

https://www.fundainbusiness.nl/bedrijfshal/verkocht/ridderkerk/object-42094820-lagendijk-281/

So the first guy said, he used to climb on the grey electrical box so he could look inside. 

He also mentioned a few hundred meters further there was another solitiare guy owning 3 original Le Mans cars. And again another few hundreds further another guy with a barn parked with about 30 or 40 BMW E30 M3. How's that!?

In any case, this owner has some nice Italian cars in his collection and no surprise a Ferrari 400 is listed. And it has a sunroof. When checking the Dutch Road Register (RDW) it's currently listed as unregistered. It was first registered at 28-3-1984, so it's a 400i. Last registration was 4-2-2013

When doing further checking I found it in the Dutch Ferrari Register:

https://www.ferrari-register.nl/ferrari/home/stradali-nuovi/365-400-412/400-i/34509

And I know that car. It was one of the 400's I checked but did not had the guts to buy it. As can be seen it's the Pavesi model. Retrospecitvely I should have bought it. See my blog:

https://erwin400.blogspot.com/2013/11/the-hunt-part-iv-ferrari-400i-pavesi.html

I will definately will follow this auction

Rolls Royce & Bentley Driver Magazine - Camargue styling

A comparison of the similarity in the Pininfarina styling of the Rolls Royce Camargue and the 1971 Fiat 130 Coupe and the 1972 Ferrari 365 GT4 2+2

Now available in the download folder.

For Sale : Ferrari 365GT4 2+2 Croisette

 This got posted today in our Facebook group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/8727831092/permalink/10160842580031093/

The famous 365 GT4 2+2 chassis 18255 nicknamed Croisette, proposed by the Swiss constructor Willy Felber and made by Giovanni Michelotti.

18255 is currently on sale.

I only know it still resides somewhere in Swiss but have not found the actual advert (yet). Quite a while ago I was approached by someone who was a friend of the actual owner. I was informed the actual owner had passed away already back then.

Update 11-4-2023: And the actual advert:

https://www.ricardo.ch/fr/a/ferrari-1230079808/

Zum Verkauf steht ein einzigartiger Ferrari 365 GT 4 2+2

Ferrari Croisette

Es handelt sich um ein weltweites Einzelstück mit Veteranen Eintrag.

Dieser Wagen wurde nach Plänen des Spezialkonstrukteurs Felber in Genf

durch die Karosseriefirma Michelotti in Italien gebaut.

Diverse Gebrauchsspuren vorhanden.

Lackierung und Venyldach noch original.

Fahrzeug läuft, wird ab Platz verkauft, ohne MFK

Das Auto steht in Zürich und muss auch dort abgeholt werden.

Enzo magazine - Ferrari Meera_S

A French article about the Ferrari Meera_S, now available in the download folder:

Eurospares - The supercar graveyard: where Ferraris and Lamborghinis go to die

An older article I only bumped into recently:

https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/anything-goes/inside-supercar-graveyard-where-ferraris-and-more-go-die

The article does have got quite a bit of interesting photo's, including a Ferrari 400 of course.

I have been there a few years back, quite a place indeed:

https://erwin400.blogspot.com/2019/02/eurospares-ferrari-lamborghini-maserati.html

Apparently they have moved meanwhile to a bigger and better premises.

More Marenello Concessionaires photo's - Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/p/CqhXKscojt7/ 

Maranello Concessionaires Ltd. A reception to celebrate the opening of the new workshops at Thorpe HQ in April 1975. What an evocative photograph.

I post this as a teaser for Neill Bruce’s amazing new book, 50 Years with Ferraris, that will be available via Amazon and other retail outlets later this month. I will keep you updated on here. Neill was MC’s officially appointed photographer from the era of the Dino and Daytona thru to the early 1990’s. #ferrari #ferrarihistory #maranelloconcessionaires #thorpe #ferrariclassiche #ferrariownersclub #uk #italy #usa #australia #europe #japan

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cqe-_9noqC_/

1975 Ferrari 365 GT/4 2+2 Spyder Conversion

This creation has been built using the mechanicals of a Ferrari 365GT4 2+2:

https://fantasyjunction.com/sold/1975-ferrari-365-gt-4-2-2-spyder-conversion/overview

1975 Ferrari 365 GT/4 2+2 Spyder Conversion
s/n 18359
Red with Black Interior

Ferrari of Arabia

When doing a little research on a car the following showed up:

https://vavato.com/nl/homepage/classic-cars-youngtimers-22-07-2021/ferrari-400gt-cabrio-1980

Datum eerste inschrijving: 01.07.1980, Chassisnummer: F101CL23203, Kleur: zwart, Carrosserievorm: cabrio, Af te lezen ODO-stand: 11235 km, Bekleding: leder,

It was remarked it was photographed next to a Pavesi conversion with an "Arabic badge"
Click the photo to enlarge:

Perhaps difficult to spot but it does indeed have the arabic 400i badge. 

This Pavesi conversion is a known one. But due to the Arabic badge it did also came to my attention it does have the enlarged air vent in the bonnet. 

I wonder if this Pavesi conversion was ever exported to the Middle East. It's currently still residing somewhere in Paris. Till then I had never spotted a 400i with the Arabic badge. Then it was pointed out the following blog had one as well:

http://erwin400.blogspot.com/2021/07/ferrari-400i-prova-mo1246.html

Again, difficult to spot but it does have the Arabic badge in combination with the enlarged air vent. 

Apparently there were specific options build for the Arabs, see this snippet fom the magazine Cavallino 1983:

When doing further checking I hit my own blog but the actual content is no longer available on Youtube or Instagram (bummer! - note to self: need to make better captures and store them locally next time). 

http://erwin400.blogspot.com/2019/09/youtube-movie-1984-ferrari-400i-kuwait.html

Via Google cache I managed to make this capture:

Looks like it does have the enlarged air vent at least. 

Let's see if more Arabic 400's can be indentified/spotted.

Update 2 April 2023: 

• Produced between 1982-1984
• At least 25 examples known with the extended bonnet vent
• Even the Series 1 injected cars had the smaller outside mirrors of the Series 2
• They had different under bonnet material to the other 400is

Here’s two of them currently for sale:

Ferrari 400 400 I automatic de 1981 à vendre - voiture ancienne de collection (lesanciennes.com)

Ferrari - 400i Automátic - 1981 - Catawiki