1977 Ferrari 400i

Ferrari introduced the 400GT at the Paris Salon in 1976 and was the last of Ferrari's carbureted V12 engine. This 4.8-liter, four-camshaft V12 engine was devoid of pollution controls and breathed through six twin-choke Weber DCOE carburetors, producing 340 horsepower and 347 foot-pounds of torque. The 2+2 seater used a self-leveling independent rear suspension, electric windows, power-assisted steering, and air conditioning.

The Ferrari 400 proceeded the 365GT4 2+2, introduced in 1972 at the Paris Salon. It wore conservative Pininfarina styling with a large glass area, a comfortable interior, and a tubular steel chassis based on the GTC/4, but lengthened by 200mm to 2700mm. The floor was fiberglass and the bodies were steel. The steering was servo-assisted and the brakes were four-wheel discs. The 24-valve engine used wet-sump lubrication, four overhead camshafts, and an alloy block and head. The five-speed all-synchromesh transmission was coupled directly to the engine with the driveshaft connecting it to the rear limited-slip differential. The 400 that followed added an optional GM THM400 three-speed automatic transmission.

While the 365 GT4 2+2 had been named for its '2+2' seating configuration, four overhead camshafts (GT4), and single cylinder displacement (365cc), the 400 represented the increased stroke size resulting in an overall displacement of 4.8 liters (400cc single-cylinder displacement). With the help of six 38 DCOE 110-111 Weber carburetors, the engine delivered 335 horsepower and could sprint from zero-to-sixty mph in 7.1 seconds.

The addition of an automatic transmission and the larger displacement engine was the most significant change to the 400, compared to the 365 GT4 2+2. The prior Rudge knock-off hubs and optional Borrani wire wheels were replaced by five-stud wheels. The prior triple taillight assembly was replaced by double circular taillights, a lip was added to the front spoiler, and the interior was revised.

Production of the 400 lasted from 1976 through 1979, with the bulk of customers selecting the automatic transmission, accounting for 355 sales compared to 147 of the manual.

To comply with growing emission standards, a Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection system was added in 1979, decreasing power to 305 bhp but improving the emissions. An 'i' was added to the badge on the rear of the vehicle, signifying the fuel injection system. Production of the 400i lasted from 1979 to 1985.

Near the end of 1982, additional modifications were made to the engine with new camshaft profiles and exhaust headers, resulting in a slight increase in horsepower to 311 bhp. More significant changes were made to the interior, including new upholstery, different door panels, new electronic switchgear, and a new center console. The exterior received a narrower grille and the vents on the hood were switched from silver to body color. New wing mirrors that wore a small Ferrari shield were added. Lower profile Michelin TRX tires on metric-sized wheels were added.

Again, the automatic transmission option proved the most popular with 883 examples sold compared to 422 of the manual.

A further increase in engine displacement resulted in the introduction of the Ferrari 412 in 1985. With an increased bore of 1mm, displacement grew to 4,942cc, resulting in 412cc of single-cylinder displacement. Upon its demise in 1989, Ferrari was left without a classic front-engine grand tourer model until 1992, with the introduction of the 456.

The total production of the 365 GT4 2+2, 400, and 412 was 2,907 units. This was the company's longest-ever production series. While the use of an automatic transmission may suggest it was intended for the American market, no version was ever officially imported to North America. Enzo Ferrari believed that the 8-cylinder Ferrari was sufficient for the U.S. market with its 55 MPH national speed limit, safety regulations, and strict emission standards. The examples that did make it to these markets were done as grey imports.

by Dan Vaughan

Coupe
Chassis number: 20301

The Ferrari 400i four-seat car was built between 1976 and 1979 but only as few as 502 were produced. Compared with other Ferraris of that time, the number was low, perhaps because the car was, and is, often misunderstood. None were officially imported into the USA.

The Ferrari 400i served as a replacement for the 365 GT4 and was unveiled to the public at the 1976 Paris show, with a three-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic transmission. When outfitted with the manual shift, it was called the 400i; with the automatic gearbox, it was the 400i A.

The engine was given a Bosch fuel injection system and offered 340 horsepower at 6500 RPM.

Coupe
Chassis number: 22097
Engine number: 00514

Ferrari unveiled the 400 Automatic and 400 GT at the Paris Motor Show in 1976, serving as the replacement for the outgoing 365 GT4 2+2. Pininfarina's coachwork facilities in Turin produced the bodies using steel with a fiberglass floor. The 400 Automatic was the first Ferrari to be offered with a three-speed Borg Warner automatic gearbox, while the 400 GT used an uprated 4.8-liter, V-12 'Colombo' engine paired with a five-speed manual gearbox.

With either the automatic or manual transmission, the 4.8-liter engine received six specially developed 38 DCOE 110-111/M Weber carburetors. Developing 340 horsepower, the 400s could sprint from zero to sixty mph in just over seven seconds.

Production of the 400 at the Modena factory began in 1976 and continued through 1979, with 502 total examples constructed.

Chassis Number 22097

This 1977 Ferrari 400 Automatic left the factory wearing a Rosso Nearco exterior and was sold new in Italy. It is one of 355 automatic transmission-equipped examples. It has black leather with red seat and door card inserts, red carpets, and a white leather-trimmed headliner. Equipment includes a Vitaloni Tornado driver's sideview mirror, ANSA exhaust tips, and Cromodora wheels. There is a leather-wrapped Momo steering wheel, a Kenwood radio unit with cassette, power windows, air conditioning, and seating for four.

Later in its life, the car was imported to the United States and acquired by Walter Medlin in September 2003. The odometer currently displays 85,316 kilometers, with just 20 kilometers added while in Mr. Medlin's care.

by Dan Vaughan

First introduced in 1976, the Ferrari 400i lasted until 1984. A total of 507 of the Ferrari 400i were produced and introduced at the Paris Show in 1972.

The body style was a coupe and had a 4.8 L FI V12 engine.

At first, the chisel-edged Pininfarina shape was showcased as the 365 GT4 2+2 with a four-cam 4.4-liter V12 with a five-speed manual gearbox only. A short-lived variant, the 365 was a 150 mph 4-seater that was replaced in 1976 by the 400GT.

In 1979 the 400i came with a Bosch injection to enhance smoothness though it robbed the V12 of 30 bhp. The Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection replaced the carburetors on the 400. The emissions were much improved but the power was down substantially.

1985 introduced the 412 the last of the 400 line and considered to be the best model lasted until 1989. Improved with an increase in displacement to 4943 cc, the newest 400, now came with ABS.

The most civilized Ferrari of its generation, they were the first models to offer an automatic transmission. Introduced in 1976 at the Paris Motor Show, the 400 Automatic (or 400A) offered a 3-speed unit from General Motors.

The engine was based on the Daytona, was a 4.8 L (4823 cc) V12 that was capable of producing 340 hp. It carried the traditional GT car layout with driving rear wheels mounted in front.

Only 147 models were five-speed manuals which showed the direction that the market was heading.

by Jessican Donaldson