Ferrari 400 GT Coupé, 1979
Ferrari 400
Ferrari 400•
•80 views
Chassis No.: 27181
£23,000 GBP | Sold
- Rare right-hand drive model
- Automatic transmission
- Present ownership since 1992
- Bodywork restored and re-sprayed in 2016/2017
- Offered from a sizeable private museum collection
'Certainly the latest version of the GT4 2+2 body, created by Pininfarina in 1968, is surpassingly beautiful. No other four-seater can compete with it for looks...' – Car & Driver.
Launched at the 1976 Paris Salon, the 400 GT had acquired a 4.8-litre version of Ferrari's four-cam V12 engine but otherwise differed from its 365 GT4 2+2 predecessor only in detail. The 400 GT re-affirmed Ferrari's determination to compete with the world's finest luxury sports saloons and was intended to attract the type of mature yet discerning customer who previously might have opted for a Bentley or Mercedes-Benz. This latter requirement made the option of automatic transmission a necessity. The unit chosen - General Motors' three-speed Hydra-Matic - was widely regarded as the world's best, having been used by Cadillac and subsequently by Rolls-Royce and Jaguar among others.
Ferrari's splendidly equipped 2+2 featured self-levelling independent rear suspension, power-assisted steering, electric windows and optional air conditioning. Sadly, even after it received fuel injection, the 400 GT - now the 400i GT - remained effectively a Europe-only model because of the expense involved in crash-testing two cars for US safety assessment. By the time production of the final 412 version ceased in 1989, Ferrari's finest 2+2 had been in production for a remarkable 17 years, though its exclusivity meant that there were seldom more than 200 sold in any one year.
One of only 502 Ferrari 400 GTs made, this rare right-hand drive example was acquired by the current vendor in August 1992, since when it has seen only occasional use. In recent times (2016-2017) this Ferrari has undergone various improvements including a complete re-spray and restoration of underlying bodywork; the supply and fitting of a new rear windscreen as the original broke when being removed for the re-spray; and replacement of the dashboard's black leather trim (distorted by sunlight). The rest of the interior is original.
It is worth noting that, in common with the other cars and motorcycles in the owner's collection, this Ferrari has benefited from regular maintenance and upgrades, as well as rectification of minor faults, carried out by his own fully qualified fitter. Freshly MoT'd, this rare Ferrari
Gran Turismo
is offered with SORN paperwork, an old-style V5C Registration Certificate, and sundry bills, mainly dating from the 1980s.
https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/25453/lot/370/1979-ferrari-400-gt-coupe-chassis-no-27181/
Cost
111,849 AED
