These days, it’s not exactly hard to see where a car has been given the prevalence of online auctions. The question is, what do you do with this information? If you can see that a vehicle is routinely coming up for sale, does that mean it’s having difficulty finding a forever home, or just that it’s the flavor of someone’s week? I’m not sure there’s a clear answer one way or another, but this 1984 Ferrari 400i listed here on Facebook Marketplace has been around the block a few times in recent years. It looks like a very handsome example, and it’s hard to argue with a V12 in clean coupe body such as this. The selling dealer is asking $59,995.
The 400i began life as the 365 GT4 2+2 before the model was later updated to the 400 nomenclature. The spiritual successor to the 365 GTC/4, this era in Italian sports car building saw multiple manufacturers offer a grand touring-style option with an actual back seat. Given the negative association between four seats and performance cars, models like these often languished at the bottom of the pecking order on the Ferrari family tree – but that sentiment has shifted in recent years. Combining a front-engine layout (eliminating the need to drop the motor for service) with an easy-to-service 3-speed automatic, this is likely one of the least painful ways to enter into vintage Ferrari ownership.
The car shown here is a European-market example, which usually means it has improved performance and potentially less restrictive emissions equipment, depending on the level of federalization it went through when imported. The interior has been refreshed in the recent past, and while the gauge cluster was repaired, it also resulted in the mileage being recorded as TMU, likely do to an odometer fault that went undetected. Google reveals that this 400i sold in 2023 for $31,000 and then soared to a sale price of $54,000 earlier this year. The dealership that is consigning this car on behalf of the owner is likely hoping for another bump in its sale price history.
The question is – how do you justify it? In November of 2023, a fair amount of service was done by the previous owner, including the “….ignition control module, an ignition coil, the spark plugs, the battery, the transmission gasket and exhaust hangers, and the fuel tank, distributor, injectors, and accumulators.” No specifics are provided about the fuel tank service, but I’m guessing it was dropped and cleaned out. The V12 pushes out a healthy 310 horsepower and 304 lb-ft of torque, so the temptation to drive this Ferrari in anger may be enough to offset the increase in asking price. The 400i is a classic example of Ferrari GT motoring – is this example poised for future price increases? Thanks to Barn Finds reader Russell J. Glantz for the tip.
Believe it’s a GM 400 Hydramatic in there. Apparently they suit this GT car beautifully. Sharp looking machine. 🇮🇹
But re-sale black does not rhyme.
It has a Ferrari badge, but don’t expect it to go up in value….
All of these are “Euro market” spec, as none of them were ever officially imported to the US. Some were grey-market imports, so perhaps they just mean this wasn’t any of those.
Always did like the styling of these, impeccably proportioned, sleek and razor-sharp yet understated, like an Armani suit.
Well this one has the tacked-on USA-spec corner markers, suggesting that it WAS imported when new—that retrofit wouldn’t be required if it was imported now, > 25 yr old.
Regardless, there’s really no reason to call out a “Euro market” 400i, since that’s how they were all built.
I was 16 or 17, working at a Shell gas station. We had an ice storm, and I was the only one working when, lo and behold, a Ferrari 400i drove in. An Italian gentleman got out and explained, in broken English, that he was visiting his son and had his car shipped over for the visit. This was in Fort Wayne, IN! It’s been 45~ years, but I still remember this like yesterday.
His oil light had come on, and he asked if I could take a look. Yes, of course I could. I put the car on the light and figured out that a simple banjo bolt connection had come loose, probably from hitting some of the ice on the road. I fixed everything and suggested we add oil, but he wanted to wait until he had the Ferrari’s recommended oil.
He left, vowing to return with the proper oil, and asked if I could leave the car inside, on the rack for the night. Of course, I said yes.
Needless to say, it took EVERYTHING in my power not to take it out. The icy roads would have made it pointless, not to mention the cost of repayment for likely putting it in a ditch, but my God, was that tempting.
I was at school when he picked it up, so I didn’t see him or the car again, but the roads melted the next day, so I’m sure he got on just fine.
yes Ferrari oil is soooo different than Castrol. of course it is imported in casks of Super Tuscan wine-so maybe .
Location Wyomissing, PA
I recollect a Road and Track article from decades ago in which Phil Hill, absolutely one of the best race car drivers of a certain time, was asked “what is your favorite Ferrari?” The 400.
Well, that’s a surprise to me anyway. I remember somebody at R&T saying This model was the Camaro of Ferraris.
“Combining a front-engine layout (eliminating the need to drop the motor for service) with an easy-to-service 3-speed automatic, this is likely one of the least painful ways to enter into vintage Ferrari ownership.” Uhh…. These aren’t as scary to work on as some people might have you believe, but I can assure you an 8 cyl of the same era will be less painful! (Does this author need to be reminded AGAIN that transverse mid-engine Ferraris do NOT require engine removal for routine servicing?) And of course, no automatic is actually easy to service, but presumably the author means that this one should be easy to get parts for (probably true).
Idk, a vehicle of this type on FB Marketplace is weird. Most of those listings are fake or somethings up with them. So the platform is suspect at best, (imo).
I wouldn’t by anything from FB to begin with. Its a tabloid so anything for sale has a story.