1978 Ferrari 400i 5 Speed Chassis 37297

I have a notion to bid on this and would appreciate any comments, especially from anyone with knowledge of this specific car. Value opinions would be welcomed as well.

Thank you.

Jack.

 

Personnal biased opinion: that's a really nice colour combination with the "retro" interior (wood console and more gauges than on the later models), dual mirror (with the proper switch), dual AC and manual gearbox. All in all I would consider this car as very desirable.

Caveats:

1. I doubt this is a "23k miles" car. Most odometer are in km (despite the speed markings in miles) and only have 5 digits. This could well be a 123.000km car (75.000miles).
   
2. The test drive is performed with opened window, not sure AC works.
3. The exhaust is far from stock, maybe a Californian setup
4. Exhaust manifolds are a bit rusty
5. The car looks tatty but there are quite a few shiny bits (filters, fuel pumps, accumulators, A-Arms bolts) that suggest some deep maintenance was performed
   
6. On startup there is a bit of clap/clap/clap, during the rest of the test run engine seems strong : valve clearance and/or chain tension should be adjusted (?)

 

Also there is a rare toolkit holder in the spare wheel but this does not fit very well the 415mm rim (it is made for the 15" rim). The toolkit itself and the jack bag seem to be missing.

 

I would agree with what Raemin is stating. I also believe 127k Km by looking at seat bolster, wear on pedal rubers, general condition of underside and things like the rubbers under the rear springs, etc. Any paperwork to proof Km?
I did not hear the clatter in start up Raemin mentions but this could be the belts, typical for 400. I love the color combo.

 

By the look of it the silencer back boxes are still Ansa, but with new exhaust tubes welded to it. You are able to buy different systems as stated by Sam. There are fabricators in the US who do stainless systems looking exactly like the original Ansa, e.g. timevalve. I have no experience how original or good they sound, which is important when going for stainless as it has different accoustic behaviour.

 

Thank you, Sam.

 

Note that this car was supplied new to the UK (LHD notwithstanding) so would probably have had an Imperial odometer from new. So the reading will be in miles. Whether it has been round the clock is another question.

 

I'm curious about the chassis number. My 1979 400i is number 28977 and this car is number 38297. Did Ferrari manufacture 4,160 of this model in 1979. Also, I don't think this car wold ever pass the California BAR testing. The last registration sticker on the plate is from 2001. Otherwise it looks great in Verde Pino and would be a wonderful addition to someones garage.

 

Ferrari serial numbers are for ALL Ferraris made, not by model. So 4,000 road Ferraris of all types seems plausible. That would include 308s, Boxers, and 400s.

 

Odd numbers only for road cars at that time.

 

I had to check the user manual to see what the red light was that comes & goes in the centre gauges on the video. It's the low fuel warning.

 

I so want this car.


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This one is a mis-registered 1979, per the seller (early in the comments):

It is a ’79 model, the California title was issued in 1996 and for some reason they listed it on title as a ’78… maybe due to the out of state title showing it sold in ’78 or something along those lines.​

....as well as

The CA DMV does funny things, this car was titled and owned in another state prior to 1996. It is a ’79 model, but for some reason CA DMV titled it as a ’78. BAT has a copy of the title on file and there is no doubt that this car is really a ’79 but for the paper trail, the ad needs to match the title… so here we are.​

Further clarified by another BATer:

It is a 400i but in no way is it a 1978. 400i was introduced as a 1979 model and build number is 37297 which puts it in late 1981 or early 1982, no? The 400i saw significant changes in 1982/3 so it’s no later than that.​

Marcel could fill in the manufacture date and configuration, and likely much more.
I'm kinda surprised that we don't have a registry similar to those we have for the Boxers (if we do, I can't recall it)

This one is beautiful, and has Jen's attention because of the green.

 

Thanks for all the helpful comments. I’ve decided not to bid. This just isn’t a car I want to buy sight unseen, and I’m really more interested in a 365......if anyone knows of a good one available.

Jack.

 

California did something similar on my 84. It had been titled in California as an 85. When I registered in WA state I corrected it to 84.​

 

The older the model year the more emissions allowed.
Perhaps with the addition of the catalysts a fuel injected '79 would meet the '78 standards.
For the miles these cars see I don't understand why there just isn't an emissions exemption. Any %$^*$# Prius pollutes far more in a decade than most of our vintage Ferraris do in the same period of time.
I love the colors of 37297
It will be a six figure car before you know it. Well bought and sold.

 

Sold for $64,000. I absolutely love that green.

 

Thanks, Sam. I think the BAT car was probably well bought at that price. The 365 at Gullwing has been for sale for a long time and it’s in one of my favorite colors, blu Ribot. I have been watching a few in Europe. There was one for sale by a member here last year, silver/red but I think that one got away.

Jack.

 

As I posted on BaT, 37297 was supplied new by London main dealers HR Owen in July 1981. There is a copy of the importer's delivery note in the images the seller posted.