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Crap car?

Discussion in '365 GT4 2+2/400/412' started by aidanparte, May 4, 2008.

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  1. Argento839

    Argento839 F1 Veteran

    Oct 21, 2005
    9,103
    The fine Corinthian leather...LOL! :D
     
  2. Bradley

    Bradley F1 Rookie

    Nov 23, 2006
    2,831
    Lakewood, Colorado
    Full Name:
    Bradley
    Having read "Crap Cars," it is obvious that this author is enormously self-impressed, and believes that finding cute-n-clever ways to put things down makes him more erudite.

    Beware, however, that the fact remains that MOST of the cars in this book really ARE pretty crummy, and there is the danger that, in our disgust with the writer, we could sink to his level.

    An entire book could be written about the mid sixties to early eighties Lincoln Continentals - now there is a monstrosity! The Ferrari 400 positively glimmers next to one of those, just as it does alongside the vast majority of similar sized vehicles of the time.)

    Like many laymen, this author probably assumes that the Daytona, 365 Boxer, and other extreme sports cars are the gold standard by which all Ferraris should be judged. At first glance, the 400 may not be what most people expect from Ferrari: It's a four seater, rather angular, front-engined, with respectable luxury coupe performance, but nothing in the range of, say, the GTOs. So what? There were many Ferraris for many purposes. Ferrari did a fine job with this one; why give any more thought to some self-impressed little "writer" who doesn't know a Ferrari from his head in the ground.
     
  3. aidanparte

    aidanparte Formula 3

    Jul 18, 2004
    1,222
    I just wanted to post some pics of my car! I couldn't care less about that crummy book, although as you say, most of the cars do deserve to be in it.

    Aidan
     
  4. koisokok

    koisokok F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Dec 8, 2006
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    always a pleasure to see them aidan!!!!!!!
     
  5. BlazinBWF

    BlazinBWF Karting

    May 30, 2008
    239
    Seattle;Johannesburg
    If had a Chevy badge instead of a Ferrari badge you guys might think it is an ugly car. It certainly is not the prettiest Ferrari but I do like the way it looks...could just be the badge talking but its pretty.

    I am sure that while it may have been pretty wet and sloppy to drive...I image it was still a good car. The 348 was not particularly good for a Ferrari but you still want to drive one.

    I have been contemplating a 612 as daily driver for a while, and to be honest its not a looker compared to the rest of the current line up, but 4 seat Ferraris are always cool.
     
  6. BlazinBWF

    BlazinBWF Karting

    May 30, 2008
    239
    Seattle;Johannesburg
  7. Dave46

    Dave46 Formula Junior

    Jun 5, 2006
    442
    Central Washington
    Full Name:
    Robert Davison
    Your 400 is a true beauty Aiden thanks for sharing the photos.
     
  8. Bradley

    Bradley F1 Rookie

    Nov 23, 2006
    2,831
    Lakewood, Colorado
    Full Name:
    Bradley
    I overheard a group of people at today's (Denver, CO) Concours d'Elegance commenting on the 456 that it is an automatic, which is "Just wrong" for a Ferrari.

    I informed them that I know the owner, a very nice English fellow, who, although he can walk a bit, generally gets around with the aid of crutches or a wheelchair. I think it's wonderful that he can enjoy his passion for Ferraris anyway. Also, the man and his wife have a thirteen-year-old son who often likes to accompany them on their drives. A four-seater is perfect for that.

    I even love the looks of the 456, and the 400 seems a very classy car to me, no matter the badge it wears.

    Since I can only afford one Ferrari (barely), I chose to go with the 308GTB, a beautiful but thoroughly impractical car.

    Another note from today's concours: The only 348 present won a People's Choice trophy.
     
  9. 3wings

    3wings Karting

    Apr 7, 2008
    139
    South Africa
    Full Name:
    Mike
    You are absolutely correct, Ferrari did do a fine job; why else would they have kept the same basic design going from 1973 (the Paris launch of the 365 GT4 2+2) right up until the last 412 came off the production line in 1989 ? Sixteen years guys ! And don't forget that these cars were very prestigeous vehicles in their time; owned by Royalty and wealthy celebrities acround the world. So yes, who cares what this moron has said in his 'crummy book' anyway, the facts speak for themselves!
     
  10. t walgamuth

    t walgamuth Formula Junior

    Mar 13, 2005
    850
    I always thought they are pretty good looking. I wouldn't want one with a stick though.

    Tom W
     
  11. koisokok

    koisokok F1 World Champ
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    Dec 8, 2006
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    #62 koisokok, Jun 9, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    if Enzo himself drove a 400,as his daily driver...then it must be NICE!!! LOL....
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  12. Ashman

    Ashman Three Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Sep 5, 2002
    31,629
    MA
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    John
    He of all people recognized that it was important to sell the steak (2+2 often sold many more copies than the 2 seaters) to go with the sizzle in order to make money!
     
  13. 400iGuy

    400iGuy Formula 3
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Aug 26, 2004
    1,055
    Central Florida
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    Al
    He probably fit in it better than his other products of the time too!
     
  14. BlazinBWF

    BlazinBWF Karting

    May 30, 2008
    239
    Seattle;Johannesburg
    No doubt it is a nice car but I would not really say that because Enzo drove it, it must be good. He was very old so they built a car that he could drive easily, hence the automatic and large cabin.
     
  15. aidanparte

    aidanparte Formula 3

    Jul 18, 2004
    1,222
    The car that Enzo is driving is actually a 365 GT4/2+2 (note the knock-off hubs), so it would have been a 5-speed.

    Aidan
     
  16. koisokok

    koisokok F1 World Champ
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    hey, what are you trying to say...this car is for old people!!!!!!!!!! lol,,,, hey at 36 i do feel kind of old!!
     
  17. koisokok

    koisokok F1 World Champ
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    aidan....shhhh..some people woulndt realize that...i remember that from previouse posts...lol
     
  18. aidanparte

    aidanparte Formula 3

    Jul 18, 2004
    1,222
    Maybe it was an automatic prototype!

    Aidan
     
  19. BlazinBWF

    BlazinBWF Karting

    May 30, 2008
    239
    Seattle;Johannesburg
    Well you got me there. You guys are good, those wheels are very close in design to the ones on the 400i.
     
  20. 400iGuy

    400iGuy Formula 3
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Aug 26, 2004
    1,055
    Central Florida
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    Al
    Are you kidding! I have kids almost as old as you :)
     
  21. jacques

    jacques Formula Junior

    May 23, 2006
    876
    Los Angeles/Florida
    I had the distinct pleasure of shooting several of those commercials..Ricardo Montalbon..what a perfect and classic gentleman he was..When my Mom saw those commercials she custom ordered one in light yellow and white/white interior..had it 'til she passed on in '91..that darn car never cost us a dime in repairs..anyway..better leather than ANY Ferrari than I've seen to date (exepting the new leather in my 1980 400i)..enjoy!!
     
  22. EMILIO

    EMILIO F1 Veteran

    Feb 23, 2006
    6,852
    Italia
    the 400 is no ugly car
    i do not own one so i am not biased

    is not the most beautiful ferrari of the era but it looks great in black!

    the mondial is ....quite ugly imo
     
  23. Mantabee

    Mantabee Rookie

    Apr 29, 2008
    16
    Switzerland
    Full Name:
    Stefan
    Guys, I just bought a 1986 edition of "Auto Motor und Sport" which is the leading car magazine in Germany, quite an authority over here. I bought it on Ebay because of an article (a test) of the most luxurious serial production cars at the time (at least from a German perspective). It compares the following cars: Jaguar XJS, Porsche 928s, Mercedes 560 SEC and a Ferrari 412. There were two parts especially interesting and somehow new to me: a) the price, which was in German Marks 22 years ago: 86k for the Jag, about 100k for the Porsche, about 130k for the Merc and ... puh ... a staggering 188k for the 412! So the Ferrari was about twice the price of a Jaguar... no wonder it was quite an "exclusive" car. Guess, they couldn't have sold basically the same model for almost 20 years at such a price if it had been perceived as a terribly ugly, rubbishy and un-ferraristicy "crap car"!

    But then, more to the point of this thread, b) the statement regarding the design of what was and still is seen in Germany as the "offcial neutral car experts magazine", i.e. "Auto, MOtor und Sport": "the timeless design of this car, developed in 1973 by Pininfarina, is regarded by many as the most beautiful Ferrari of all" (obviously it's just my translation, but believe me, this is what the magazine published in 1986). What a statement! Now, whether this is a bit far-stretched or not, I can tell you, I loved reading it!

    As most of you across the pond(s) do probably not have access to such articles, I thought, you might at least like to hear about it.

    365/400/412 rules!

    Cheers
    Stefan

    NB: I forgot to mention, I think they are beautiful!
     
  24. OB1CNOB

    OB1CNOB Rookie

    Nov 8, 2007
    14
    Cincinnati, Ohio
    Full Name:
    Joel
    Tuesday, July 1, 1986

    188K German Mark = 86.18714K US Dollar

    Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. I have never had any one on the street stop me and tell me how ugly my car is, just the opposite.

    Joel
     

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