Researching history for '80 400i #31725 | FerrariChat

Researching history for '80 400i #31725

Discussion in '365 GT4 2+2/400/412' started by chromapilot, Jan 2, 2016.

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  1. chromapilot

    chromapilot Karting

    Nov 16, 2015
    71
    Prague
    Full Name:
    Vladimir
    #1 chromapilot, Jan 2, 2016
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    as some of you might know, i recently purchased #31725. i am aware of its more recent owner history and also that the vehicle was discussed in this forum in at least 2 threads when it was on sale @ Forza.
    however there are some rather large gaps, mainly between the car's 'birth' in 1980 and 1986, when it was shipped from europe to Florida. there's also about a 10year gap in the service history, roughly between 1990-2000.
    there are no 'european' clues whatsoever on the car (decals, dealer stickers etc.).
    as i am continuously being amazed at what kind of obscure mysteries are being solved on this site, i wonder if anybody could be of any assistance on how to go about finding answers (are there any comprehensive databases etc.) perhaps somebody who's had to research their own vehicle's history. as i am planning to hold on to the car and eventually pass it to my kids, i'd like to have its history as complete as possible... many thanks in advance !
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  2. Ramboy

    Ramboy Formula Junior

    Aug 6, 2009
    766
    Stockholm
    Full Name:
    David Ramm
    Hi,
    I don't have much on your car unfortunately.
    In April 1988 it was advertised for sale by Foreign Cars Italia, 22,000 km, for $39,500, described as rosso rubino/tan.

    David
     
  3. chromapilot

    chromapilot Karting

    Nov 16, 2015
    71
    Prague
    Full Name:
    Vladimir
    interesting... in 1988 already ? or did you mean 1998 ?
     
  4. Ramboy

    Ramboy Formula Junior

    Aug 6, 2009
    766
    Stockholm
    Full Name:
    David Ramm
    Definitely 1988, the information came from Marvin's register volume three, which was published in 1988.
     
  5. chromapilot

    chromapilot Karting

    Nov 16, 2015
    71
    Prague
    Full Name:
    Vladimir
    how strange, Foreign Cars Italia's website mentions that they were founded in 1993.
    unless there's a different one from the one in north carolina... thanks for the info though...
    what is marvin's register btw.... can it be accessed online ?
     
  6. Ramboy

    Ramboy Formula Junior

    Aug 6, 2009
    766
    Stockholm
    Full Name:
    David Ramm
    #6 Ramboy, Jan 6, 2016
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    That is strange! The only additional information provided was a phone number - 919/852-2158, and when I googled it, it seems to relate to the same Foreign Cars Italia business.

    Marvin's directory is hard copy only - limited to 1000 copies, but sometimes crops up on Amazon and Ebay. It has a lot of information on mainly US based Ferraris advertised for sale in the 1980s.
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  7. chromapilot

    chromapilot Karting

    Nov 16, 2015
    71
    Prague
    Full Name:
    Vladimir
    sounds intriguing...is there any way you could take a picture of the entry and post it so i can email it to Foreign Cars ? don't want to abuse your kindness though :)
     
  8. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 29, 2004
    33,736
    Austin TX
    Full Name:
    Brian Crall
    The current owner possibly. I have records of several 328's sold new at FCI.
     
  9. Ramboy

    Ramboy Formula Junior

    Aug 6, 2009
    766
    Stockholm
    Full Name:
    David Ramm
    #9 Ramboy, Jan 7, 2016
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    No problem Vladimir. Middle column is the selling price $ and the entry date is to the right (yr/month).
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  10. chromapilot

    chromapilot Karting

    Nov 16, 2015
    71
    Prague
    Full Name:
    Vladimir
    really appreciated david ! looks like i've got some mysteries to solve...
     
  11. woody byrd

    woody byrd Formula Junior
    Silver Subscribed

    Feb 15, 2006
    687
    cary, nc
    Full Name:
    woody byrd
    The original company was owned by Steve Barney and first know to me in Greensboro, NC. I bought my first Ferrari from him. A 1979 308 GTB. Steve has sold the original FCI about 20 years ago and is now in Summerfield, NC. His company is Sport Auto. He is a very fine gentleman and the most honest car dealer I ever met. He can be reached at 336-508-5651.
    He serviced a 1982 Ferrari 400i I owned. If anyone can help you, he is the MAN!
    Good luck.
     
  12. woody byrd

    woody byrd Formula Junior
    Silver Subscribed

    Feb 15, 2006
    687
    cary, nc
    Full Name:
    woody byrd
  13. chromapilot

    chromapilot Karting

    Nov 16, 2015
    71
    Prague
    Full Name:
    Vladimir
    very cool... thanks so much for the lead, let's see if i can unearth some info !
     
  14. chromapilot

    chromapilot Karting

    Nov 16, 2015
    71
    Prague
    Full Name:
    Vladimir
    soooo.... after repeated inquiries in Maranello i find out that my car was purchased directly from the factory by none other than “Sua Altezza il Presidente a vita di Haiti” (His Highness the President for Life of Haiti), which would be notorious dictator Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier...
    that explains why there was no trace of the car in europe for the first 6 years (1980-86), until it reappeared in Miami in 1986 (after Duvalier's ouster)...
    no wonder there were some rather creative repairs in the engine compartment...
     
    Il Tifoso likes this.
  15. rovexienus

    rovexienus Formula Junior
    Silver Subscribed

    Jun 10, 2010
    562
    Sainte Colombe, France (near Lyon)
    Full Name:
    Jean-Michel Savary

    A search on 31725 returns thread https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/how-many-365-400-400i-412-owners-here.507637/page-4#post-144381331, post #81 says this car was owned by Vladimir J in the Czech Republic, no dates though.

    Jean-Claude Duvalier also owned 365 GT4 2+2 17143
     

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