412 getting some love | FerrariChat

412 getting some love

Discussion in '365 GT4 2+2/400/412' started by Il Tifoso, Nov 3, 2019.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

  1. Il Tifoso

    Il Tifoso Formula 3
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Oct 22, 2013
    1,546
    SF Bay Area, CA
    Full Name:
    Ruben
    I took my 412 to a local cars & coffee event this morning and the organizers (same folks that put together Radwood) posted some pics on their Instagram.

    In the 5 years that I’ve owned my 412, I don’t think it’s ever garnered as much attention as it’s been getting lately. The increased reception and interest in the car is surprising. Wondering if others are experiencing this as well? Perhaps our lovely angular shapes are finally getting recognized more broadly amid a sea of boring amoeba SUVs?

    Cheers,

    Ruben


    Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  2. raemin

    raemin Formula 3

    Jan 16, 2007
    1,825
    Lyon (FR)
    Full Name:
    R. Emin
    It's very true that by current standards these cars are very distinctive. While I was parking outside the Lyon Opera House, a young lady just looked at the car and said:"It's very different, what modern shapes!" Her partner just bluntly said: "Common that's a 40 year old Ferrari, a collector now".

    Also while purchasing some chocolate boxes for Christmas, the lady at the counter made the following slightly annoying(?) yet amusing comment : "This Ferrari colour suits the car well, is it a Peugeot Coupé?". To be honest by then I had removed all the emblems of the car in order to avoid the usual aggressive remarks, but now these cars are regarded as prancing horses without the rowdy reputation (emblems are back...).
     
    F456M, Il Tifoso and james.colangelo like this.
  3. F456M

    F456M F1 Rookie

    Jan 8, 2010
    3,665
    Oslo
    Full Name:
    Erik
    #3 F456M, Nov 5, 2019
    Last edited: Nov 5, 2019
    As a matter of fact, Pininfarina have always had a close co-operation with Peugeot. Lots of Peugeots are designed by Pininfarina, and some models also build in Italy by Pininfarina. Enzo Ferrari used to have Peugeot stationwagons for his family. If you look at Peugeot 505 sedan and Fiat 130 Coupe, they both have a very distinctive similarity to the 365-412 Ferrari and that is the concave line across the waist line (under the window) going all the way from the front to the rear of the car! The 406 Coupe is also very Pininfarina, quite like the 550 Maranello which I happen to own myself. So people can say much **** about Peugeot, but the history is what it is, and so are their cars. The old Peugeots with rear wheel drive were actually good cars which have now gone up in value in Europe!
     

    Attached Files:

  4. raemin

    raemin Formula 3

    Jan 16, 2007
    1,825
    Lyon (FR)
    Full Name:
    R. Emin
    #4 raemin, Nov 5, 2019
    Last edited: Nov 5, 2019
    In the late seventies early eighties, the French president would leave the "Elysée" with a pinin-Farina or Heuliez designed peugeot. So the remark of lady was probably "postive" in her own mind. My guess is that she never saw these coupés "in person", as the Ferraris is much bigger!

    Here is the 604
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    (as seen on http://10000km.com)

    And the pinin Farina 504 coupé, that's indeed quite lovely, and seems to be plagued by faulty self levellers...
    Image Unavailable, Please Login

    Back to the subject: Not sure how to quantify the love these cars are getting, but if the question is "how much these are loved", clearly the market value is higher than it used to be. The time is long gone, when one could purchase a "working" 400i for 12.000€. These cars are now treated with care by their new owners, and price have raised significantly. Unfortunately parts price are also skyrocketing...
     
    F456M and Il Tifoso like this.
  5. F456M

    F456M F1 Rookie

    Jan 8, 2010
    3,665
    Oslo
    Full Name:
    Erik
    #5 F456M, Nov 5, 2019
    Last edited: Nov 5, 2019
    My first car was actually a 604 just like that. I bought it for 600 Euro several years before I could get a driver license. Actually a very comfortable car with V6 as standard which was quite special back when those cars were new. It had fibre optic interior lightning, pneumatic central locking, cruise control and a hand purse hook for the passenger. No question which seat she should sit in!
     
  6. F456M

    F456M F1 Rookie

    Jan 8, 2010
    3,665
    Oslo
    Full Name:
    Erik
  7. raemin

    raemin Formula 3

    Jan 16, 2007
    1,825
    Lyon (FR)
    Full Name:
    R. Emin
    #8 raemin, Nov 7, 2019
    Last edited: Nov 7, 2019
    Adding my last though on this subject: these cars are now getting some love from the local dealers!

    In 2007 when my brother David bought the first of our cars. The local Ferrari specialist (not giving any name) just refused to service the car (TH400 was a show-stopper). As a last resort David liaised with a Jaguar specialist who accepted to work on our Columbo engines. These mechanics truly appreciated our cars and even assisted David in launching www.f400club.com. One of the Club member bought 5(?) 365/400/412 plus 2 BBs (not giving any name but you may guess who he is :) ), on our side we grasped 5 of these (keeping 3 of them in the end) plus a 456GT. All these cars well taken care of by the jaguar guys. A few other members of the club also referred to these mechanics. Ten years later, one could often see three 400 simultaneously serviced in this garage.

    The guy who originally refused to take care of our car suddenly felt very upset by these jaguar guys that were stealing his business. In the Lyon Area, there are approximatively ten 365/400/412 and only one Daytona that I am aware of. His decision to focus on the most elusive Ferrari was a bad move. He's still kicking his arse...

    Not all local specialist were so short sighted: on the Lyon-Geneva area, a few dealers are now offering excellent services for our cars. So you can go to the dealer test a nice blue 400 with either Auto or Manual (they have both) and leave the showroom with a shiny car that is covered by a 5000km warranty. That's quite recent (2 years) and that's excellent news. Here is the local advert...


    So, yes, these cars do get more love (from the market, from the dealers, and from a few more die-hard enthusiasts!).



    PS: now that Peugeot family has offered a 5bn bonus to the Agnellis in order to have a 50% share of FCA group, I may respond to the lady at the counter that indeed my car is a bit of a Peugeot...
     
    paulchua, Il Tifoso and erwin123 like this.
  8. intrepidcva11

    intrepidcva11 F1 Rookie
    Rossa Subscribed

    Jan 12, 2009
    3,214
    Saratoga Springs NY
    Full Name:
    Seth
    In my experience Peugeots have made excellent cars. When I lived in Paris in the early 1960s I owned a 403, sturdy and reliable like a 1940s Buick! Years later I owned a similarly reliable 505 station wagon with a 2-liter four-cylinder engine. Put 260,000 km on that car.
     
    F456M likes this.
  9. intrepidcva11

    intrepidcva11 F1 Rookie
    Rossa Subscribed

    Jan 12, 2009
    3,214
    Saratoga Springs NY
    Full Name:
    Seth
    I should have added that sans doute you are acquainted with my 412 that I have from Bernard Dalle who with Catherine became friends in the process! Just last evening received home from Ferrari New England full service, new exhaust, and ready for winter nap. Appropriate as this morning we awakened to fresh new snow!

    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  10. F456M

    F456M F1 Rookie

    Jan 8, 2010
    3,665
    Oslo
    Full Name:
    Erik
    What a beautiful car!! New exhaust is always interesting when getting behind the wheel. These cars have a life of a potential erternity. Which is a thing of beauty in itself.
     
    Il Tifoso likes this.
  11. raemin

    raemin Formula 3

    Jan 16, 2007
    1,825
    Lyon (FR)
    Full Name:
    R. Emin
    Actualy I did not! When Bernard Dalle liaised with the club for Le Mans Classic he was driving a Ferrari 328. He later joined the club (2010?), as the proud owner of this much sought after 1986 412 (10 years ago manual gearbox, metalic blue, creamy interior and 340hp was the hot ticket, and still is). By that time my own car was grounded for the gearbox upgrade (I destroyed two gearboxes and three converters in the process) and most of the club events were taking place in Paris. So I did not see his 412 "in person". We exchanged a lot through mail though, as this was a time when only a few specialists knew how to service these cars. Bernard, due to his long Ferrari History, was in touch with a few talented mechanics (Gardette for instance), that really helped fellow club members.

    So all I can say about this car, is that it's got a well known history, was serviced by renowned mechanics, and my brother David liked it a lot...
     
    F456M likes this.
  12. paulchua

    paulchua Cat Herder
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jul 1, 2013
    15,979
    Menlo Park, CA
    Full Name:
    Paul Chua
    time is kind to all Ferrari. Looking great!
     
    Il Tifoso likes this.
  13. intrepidcva11

    intrepidcva11 F1 Rookie
    Rossa Subscribed

    Jan 12, 2009
    3,214
    Saratoga Springs NY
    Full Name:
    Seth
    revisiting this thread reminds me that many years ago, well before I was able to afford my first Ferrari, I lusted after a Bitter SC, drank all information and photos I could about the car which I recall was represented in the U S by Daniel Schmitt, a sports and classic car company in St Louis. Even contacted Schmitt about acquiring one, though I never did. Here's that car that, to my eye, bears serious close design resemblance to ourm 400/400i/412 cars.
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
    Il Tifoso likes this.
  14. Jon Von Bon

    Jon Von Bon Formula 3
    BANNED

    Feb 8, 2015
    1,697
    Toronto / Florida
    Full Name:
    Jeff


    Beautiful car Ruben. This is the first Ferrari that I ever laid my eyes on in this exact colour when I was 12 years old in Australia. I absolutely love the 400 and the way it looks. And the concept of the “new custom version” of the 400 is also the same colour and a perfect modern take on a Handsome Ferrari
     
    Il Tifoso likes this.
  15. Cdcasarella

    Cdcasarella Rookie

    Apr 29, 2016
    20
    pound ridge ,ny
    Full Name:
    charles casarella
     
  16. Cdcasarella

    Cdcasarella Rookie

    Apr 29, 2016
    20
    pound ridge ,ny
    Full Name:
    charles casarella
    I agree , I entered my 1988 412 , Blue Chiara , at the Cavallino Concours , held at the Breakers, in Palm Beach,
    on January 25, 2020, having never been to Cavallino, the car won a first in class , 2+2s up to 2010, I was very
    surprised and thrilled , winning against some great competition. What was even more surprising was the number
    of people who stopped and admired the car, asked a lot of questions, and made attempts to buy the car.
    People who know what a 412 is where very surprised to see that my car was the only 412 entered. Some felt
    that this design is growing on the Ferrari fans in recent years, as it has with me.
    Congrats on your new found attention to 412s.
    cdcasarella, rookie
     
    Il Tifoso and nota400 like this.
  17. intrepidcva11

    intrepidcva11 F1 Rookie
    Rossa Subscribed

    Jan 12, 2009
    3,214
    Saratoga Springs NY
    Full Name:
    Seth
    so let's see photos
     
  18. Ron328

    Ron328 F1 Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Mar 10, 2003
    2,615
    Willamette Valley, Oregon
    Full Name:
    Ron

    You beat me to it! The SC always reminds me of the 400 series.
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  19. paulchua

    paulchua Cat Herder
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jul 1, 2013
    15,979
    Menlo Park, CA
    Full Name:
    Paul Chua
    never heard of this car, that said - doesn't surprise me it influenced many other cars. The 365 shape was very much ahead of it's time when it was unveiled in 1972.
     
  20. paulchua

    paulchua Cat Herder
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jul 1, 2013
    15,979
    Menlo Park, CA
    Full Name:
    Paul Chua
    #21 paulchua, Jan 29, 2020
    Last edited: Jan 29, 2020
    One thing that I think always gets lost about the 365/400/412 is it's often judged outside the context of the era it was created. One thing I often hear is the design is a bit 'plain.'

    I laugh a bit inside considering that when it was unveiled in 1972, it looked like it came from another planet when compared to its contemporaries.

    For your consideration, here is what was in the automotive landscape

    Top of the line 4 seat coupes in 1972

    1) Cadillac El Dorado
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    2) Bently Corniche
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    3) BMW E9
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    4) Mercedes Benz E250c
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    5) Lincoln Continental
     

    Attached Files:

  21. paulchua

    paulchua Cat Herder
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jul 1, 2013
    15,979
    Menlo Park, CA
    Full Name:
    Paul Chua
    After you got a gander of the 5 "top of the line cars" in the world

    Imagine you turn the corner and see this:

    My jaw would drop then as it does today.
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
    intrepidcva11 likes this.
  22. Il Tifoso

    Il Tifoso Formula 3
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Oct 22, 2013
    1,546
    SF Bay Area, CA
    Full Name:
    Ruben
    You hit the nail in the head Paul!

    Ruben
     
    paulchua likes this.
  23. paulchua

    paulchua Cat Herder
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jul 1, 2013
    15,979
    Menlo Park, CA
    Full Name:
    Paul Chua
    The series is one of the most elegant, and classically beautiful cars period.

    I've been eyeing these cars for many years, unfortunately they have become out of reach to me in price, I suspect the appreciation will only grow as is with all Ferrari.
     
    Il Tifoso and Texas Forever like this.
  24. Texas Forever

    Texas Forever Seven Time F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Apr 28, 2003
    75,386
    Texas!
    When did the car show up at Ferrari New England? I almost brought a 412 like this at Ferrari of Houston that went to New England.
     

Share This Page