The 400i modernised Pininfarina's magnificent 400 coupé by adopting Ferrari's first fuel injection system. By replacing the complex six-carburettor Weber setup with more user-friendly Bosch K-Jetronic injection, Ferrari offered a car that was simpler to maintain, whilst retaining the elegant lines of the 365 GT and, of course, the sublime 'Colombo' V12.

This magnificent 1982 Grigio Scuro 400i is one of 422 cars built at the factory with the desirable five-speed manual gearbox. The chassis number confirms it left the factory equipped with this transmission and it also ranks amongst the last 400i Series 1 models, of which only 260 examples are believed to have been fitted with a manual box. These early 310 bhp cars are notably distinguished by their wood-veneered console, their more delicate 'eyeball' round dashboard vents and their self-levelling rear suspension, which was replaced on later models.

The car is believed to be largely original, with only the tailgate having been repainted. Inside, the cream leather cabin is remarkably well preserved, whilst the veneers remain in excellent condition too. The vendor confirms that the 79,220 km shown on the odometer is accurate and provides an extensive list of recent maintenance work.

This work includes notably the replacement of the front dampers with Koni Classic units, the replacement of two fuel pressure accumulators as well as a service with spark plug replacement and coolant flush. Earlier work includes notably an engine rebuild in 2015.

The car is registered in France and was part of a private collection. Its last MOT was valid until 2023. The vendor now recommends a further service, clutch replacement and an imminent timing chain inspection, matters which the buyer will need to factor in.

For the collector seeking a rare Ferrari V12 GT with manual gearbox, presenting good aesthetic foundations but still requiring some mechanical work, this 400i represents a particularly interesting project.

History and Documentation

The original 365 GT had stirred some controversy at the time, notably because it abandoned the curves of the Daytona in favour of a more angular design. Time has, however, largely vindicated it, as evidenced by the photographs of this car. It's nowadays difficult to deny that Pininfarina's grand GT coupé ranks amongst the finest grand touring cars ever produced.

This impression is reinforced by the superb Grigio Scuro finish of this example, which is believed to be largely original and remains in good condition, aside from the few defects mentioned above and visible in the photographs.

Inside, the car retains the highly desirable early Series I cabin, with its round vents and wood-veneered trim. The cream leather is particularly well preserved and shows only a light patina befitting a car that's been lived with, rather than a recent restoration.

The switch to Bosch injection makes the 400i particularly appealing to buyers who actually want to use and enjoy their car. This configuration is generally considered reliable and allows the magnificent Colombo V12 to develop 310 bhp.

This example further benefits from the highly sought-after five-speed manual gearbox, which makes these large 2+2 GTs particularly pleasant and engaging to drive.

The vendor indicates the engine was rebuilt in 2015 and the car has covered only a few kilometres since, essentially within private collections. The engine was serviced in 2024, with a coolant flush around the same time. The vendor nonetheless believes a further service would be advisable.

The front dampers have been replaced and two new fuel pressure accumulators have also been fitted.

Several mechanical interventions therefore remain to be carried out, as detailed above. Once this work is completed, the buyer will have a particularly rare and well-specified example of a Ferrari 400i, a model whose appeal amongst collectors continues to grow.