Registration: XIJ 400
Chassis Number: 32017
Engine Number: 32017
Odometer reading 75300 miles
These magnificent 12-cylinder Ferraris have enjoyed cult status for some years now and the angular Pininfarina design was the motivating factor behind this front-engined masterpiece. The design was derived from the almost identical looking 365 GT4 2+2 which, itself, was based on the legendary Daytona. Production began in 1976 when Ferrari revealed its first car fitted with an automatic transmission, the 400, at the Paris Motorshow of 1976. The gearbox was a three-speed Borg Warner unit from the General Motors parts bin, reliable and certainly able to take the prodigious amount of power available. The injection version followed with Bosch K-Jetronics under the bonnet. The interior was lavishly appointed with rich leather, fine wood and high-end carpet and, together with the long-legged gearing and engine, made for excellent long distance touring. Today, its sleek lines and relatively limited production numbers have made good examples very collectable commodities.
This UK righthand drive Ferrari 400i was supplied new through Coopers of Leicester to a Mr Page on 20th August 1980. Finished in grey metallic with a blue leather interior, the car is an automatic, making it one of only 152 UK supplied cars in this configuration. Over the years and up to 62,876 miles, the car has been maintained by Coopers, Graypaul, Modena, and Maranello Concessionaires. The paintwork is in good condition for a car of this age and the body shows no signs of rust. The interior is much the same, with the leather seats remaining rip-free and the headlining presenting well. The wood on the centre console looks sharp and the original Philips 'Turnolock' radio is still present. The Bosch K-Jetronic injection has been refurbished by a Bosch specialist and, at the same time, service items completed. To enhance the engine appearance, the cam covers were removed and repainted. Supplied with a V5C registration document, an MoT test certificate which expires in May 2019, its original bookpack containing the handbook and the original service book, this 400i is now showing 75,300 miles on the odometer and presents a good opportunity to purchase a rare home-market Ferrari at a realistic guide price.