1987 Ferrari 412i

The Ferrari 365 GT4 2+2 replaced the curvaceous 365 GTC/4 in 1973. It was the company's new and highly luxurious four-seater that signaled an entirely new stylistic direction for Turin's Pininfarina design studio. In 1972, it made its public debut at Paris and utilized the basic mechanicals of the 365 GTB/4 'Daytona' Berlinetta. The Pininfarina-designed bodylines were crisply tailored and virtually unchanged through the evolutionary 400 and 400i (fuel injected) models of 1976 through 1984, culminating in 1985 with the 5.0-liter 412 which continued through 1989. This line was Ferrari's longest-running series, surviving for 17 years, and the 412 was the last front-engine Ferrari until the arrival of the 456 in 1992.

The 365 GT4, 400, and 412 were closely related, using the same chassis, body, and engine. Their numerical names were in reference to the engine's single cylinder displacement expressing cubic centimeters and therefore changed with each update to reflect the increased displacement. The engine of the 412 displaced 4,943cc and offered 340 rated horsepower. Transmission options included a five-speed manual or GM-sourced Turbo-Hydramatic 400 automatic. The 400GT had been the first Ferrari to offer an automatic transmission as an option, a decision vindicated by the fact that more than two-thirds of customers took up the option.

Zero-to-sixty was achieved in 7.0 seconds with a top speed exceeding 150 mph.

Five-spoke alloy wheels were mounted on Rudge knock-off hubs (Cromodora alloy wheels were also a popular option). These luxurious grand tourers came standard with leather upholstery, electric windows, and air conditioning.

The 412 was never imported into the United States, but a few were brought in privately.

From 1985 through 1989, Ferrari produced 270 'GT' and 306 'A' examples of the 412. 61 examples were right hand drive cars with an automatic gearbox originally supplied to the United Kingdom.

By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2020