Description
Enzo Ferrari lived and breathed motor racing, even if initially, building road cars was just a way to keep his beloved Scuderia on the track. But even if his heart was racing, his head meant that his name ended up on some of the most legendary road cars ever made.
Throughout the 50s and 60s, Ferrari quickly became the go-to for the luxury touring market and it became Enzo’s proving ground. So often seen in finely tailored suits and thick-rimmed glasses, he oversaw the creation of icons like the 250 GT, 365 and the Daytona.
These days, if you’re after a family-friendly Ferrari, you’ve got options like the FF, GTC4 Lusso, or even the Purosangue, if your budget can stretch that far. But back in the 1980s, your choice was pretty straightforward: the 400. A development of the 365 GT4 2+2, owning a 400 became a quiet but unmistakable badge of personal success.
This car is a slightly later 400i Automatic, supplied new by H. R. Owen in January 1985, finished in Blue Sera over a light grey hide interior. Its exterior lines manage to be both modern and classic at the same time. The mid-body swage line is a nod to the Daytona, yet the 400 somehow looks more contemporary.
Every time you look at the car, you spot another subtle design detail, whether it’s the miniature badges on the wing mirrors or the classic Ferrari quad tail lamps.
Step inside and you’re greeted by an abundance of leather. The seats, finished in light grey hide, are so generously padded they look muscular. The dash and centre console are wrapped in contrasting blue leather, with matching carpets tying it all together. The original steering wheel has been replaced in favour of a MOMO Prototipo, a fine choice, often favoured by the classic Porsche enthusiast.
Under the bonnet, the 400i follows a classic Ferrari formula. A 4. 8-litre V12 provides the power, but instead of Weber carburettors, it’s fitted with Bosch fuel injection, producing over 300bhp. This silky-smooth setup is paired with a GM-sourced 3-speed automatic, the first Ferrari to feature an auto box. You might cry sacrilege, but honestly, it makes perfect sense given the car’s character.
Like any Ferrari, maintenance is key, and the history file for this car could rival a Tolkien novel. Over its lifetime, close to £120, 000 has been spent to keep it in top condition. Alongside regular maintenance, in early 2022 the car was sent to Corotec, where it underwent a thorough restoration program. This included stripping the underside back to bare metal and completely refinishing it.
The paperwork stretches right back to the car’s early days, including its original handbook and service book. It contains detailed records of every owner and transaction, along with communications verifying the engine's health through compression test results. Remarkably, this level of documentation has stayed with the car for over 40 years and the car has been with its current owner since 2012.
Having been removed from storage in September 2020 the car began a 4-year £46, 000 rolling restoration:
In September 2020, the car was taken from storage straight to world renowned classic Ferrari expert, Colin Clarke Engineering, who completed a comprehensive recommissioning and began the first phase of a 4-year rolling restoration (Total Spend £24K).
2020:
- New Fuse board: Custom made (Redbaycars Belgium). Significant performance and reliability upgrade over the original design
- 4x New Michelin TRX Tyres. (New batch date stamp)
- Post storage full recommission: (new plugs, filters, fluids, fuel pumps, battery, seals, gaskets)
Other:
- Full stainless-steel exhaust system, including manifolds
- MSD 6AL-2 digital controlled ignition controller (significant performance and reliability upgrade over the original Magneti Marelli unit)
- New high torque starter motor
- New front carpets
- Suspension Conversion Kit: 4x New rear custom Koni shocks (replacing the self-levelling system) + 4x new springs
- New suspension bushes front and rear (22 in total)
- New Radiator
- Compression Test (all cylinders between 140-150psi)
In January 2022 the car passed to classic car preservation experts, Cortec. Mike Colasuonno spent 4 months meticulously stripping the underside/ chassis of the car back to bare metal removing, repairing and re-welding any sign of structural rust and then applying a full 3 Stage Dinitrol surface and cavity protection. (Total Spend £12K).
2022 works:
- Strip entire chassis back to bare metal; cutout + remake both outer sills, both forward chassis box sections and inner wheel arch. Repaint.
- Full chassis and cavity 3-stage Dinitrol Application
- New engine hoses: replaced all engines hose and clips
- New heater hoses: replaced all heater hoses and heater valves
- New high output radiator cooling fans
- New expansion tank
- New Goodridge brake pipes
- New rear brake calipers
- New A/ C lines
- New Braided fuel lines
- New fuel pump
In April 2023, the car passed to Autoficcina to continue the program of preventative maintenance and upgrades (Total Spend £10k)
2023:
- New central locking system (motors, remote control, wiring loom)
- New oil cooler and brackets
2024:
- New battery, front & rear brake pads, fan belt
- Fuel metering units (Bosch mechanical fuel injection): Removal, complete strip down and rebuild of both units
Now, though, it’s ready for its next owner. The 400i represents exceptional value for money compared to its contemporaries. It’s an inherently usable Ferrari that combines comfort and practicality with speed and style. It’s believed this car is one of only 123 UK-supplied, right-hand drive examples. It is unlikely you’ll find another example with such a complete and traceable history in this rare specification.
As with all our vehicles, a full digital folder is available on request containing more images, walk-around videos, and scans of the service history. The car can also be viewed by appointment at our West London showroom.
