1983 Ferrari 400i 5-Speed Chassis 44053

samsaprunoff · Aug 30, 2018

Good day All,

In the continued spirit to document our cars... Here is info on 44053 listed on Ebay

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1983-Ferrari-Other/183401814419?hash=item2ab3999993:g:a14AAOSwBWJbYc0w&vxp=mtr

... 5 Speed Manual and Straman Conversion in a great color combination!

Cheers,

Sam

1983 Ferrari 400i GT (5 Speed)
Color: Dark Blue Exterior with Tan Interior
Mileage: 14796 KM (?)
Location: Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
VIN: ZFFEB06B000044053
Chassis: 44053
Buy It Now: $57855 USD or submit offer

The Ferrari 400 was a replacement for the previous 365 GT4 2+2, adding a larger 4.8L V12 with 6 side draft Weber Carbs. The 400i was introduced in 1979 with Bosch K- Jetronic fuel injection unit, improving emissions and smoother power delivery.

Towards the end of 1982, the 400i was updated. New camshaft profiles and exhaust headers raised engine power to 315 hp (235 kW). The interior was significantly revised, gaining different upholstery, door panels, centre console and new electronic switchgear. On the exterior a narrower grille left the rectangular foglights exposed; the venting on the engine bonnet was changed from silver to body-color. New, more elegant wing mirrors were fitted, bearing a small Ferrari shield. Around the back the tail panel was body-colored instead of matte black, and foglamps were fitted in the bumper. Lower profile Michelin TRX tires were adopted, on metric sized wheels. A total of 1305 examples were produced, 883 Automatics and 422 GTs.

And to take the 400 step further Richard Straman's firm, Classic Automobile Restoration began converting the 400's to Cabriolets in 1980. Straman's firm started out in restoring classic Rolls-Royces, Mercedes and the like, first made a name for itself in the Ferrari enthusiast's world by converting a 275 GTB to a spyder much in the fashion of that done originally for Luigi Chinetti by the Italian carrozzeria Scaglietti. After that came assignments to make Daytona coupes into drop-tops and now there are at least thirty California Ferrari owners driving around a Straman conversion.

But the biggest challenge so far was the 400A conversion. The top was cut off, and various braces were installed on the body to add rigidty. Straman prefered to fabricate his own top bows rather than to try and use a set from an existing convertible. One of the biggest challenges in the creation of the 400A convertible was creating a well for the top, and still leaving the rear seating area undisturbed. Finished, the car resembles a Rolls Corniche in its imperious air of luxury, although the aggressive wheels and exhausts give it more of an Aston-Martin Volante flavor. Pininfarina isn't likely to create a Ferrari open 4-seater, but if they did, odds are it would look very much like Straman's creation.

This car has been in the hands of a Ferrari collector for a few decades, being a car used on nice days and any local Ferrari club gatherings. This car has its original interior and paint, wearing the beautiful dark navy blue exterior with cream colored interior, it’s quite striking in any light. The car is a rare 5 speed manual transmission car, allowing you to really be connected to that 4.8 liter V12 engine when you pilot this GT car. The Car wears the standard patina of being an original car and it adds charm to the car.

Some great links on this rare car,

http://erwin400.blogspot.com/2015/04/history-of-ferrari-400a-straman.html

https://petrolicious.com/articles/why-the-ferrari-400i-is-collectable

Vin # ZFFEB06B000044053 is the car serial number.
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carguy246 · Aug 31, 2018

Hardly ever see a 5-speed conversation. This might be a great deal if it’s a nice car.

F456M · Sep 6, 2018

I dig it!!

Jasonberkeley · Sep 11, 2018

Link now says auction has ended.

samsaprunoff · Nov 11, 2020

Good day All,

44053 Is now for sale on Ebay with a Buy It now of $95K USD or submit offer

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1983-Ferrari-400i-Straman-/373322463500

The ad indicates the mileage of 54000, but does not state if this is Miles of KMs. One of the pictures shows the speedometer and odometer of 14796 which is the same as when I started this thread. Consequently, it looks as if the odometer is not working or that the car has not been driven since 2018.

I have not seen Straman convertibles with the top up and the inner headliner and so I am including some pics of these areas from the ebay ad.

Cheers,

Sam

A limited number of 400i Convertibles were produced by the Straman company at customer order. This rare Manual Gearbox example is even morer rare in convertible configuration. This very nice example has covered just 54,000 miles from new and has been well taken cared of its entire life- never left outside, or driven in inclement weather. Recently completely serviced, this car is ready for anything one wishes to do with it. The TRX's are in great condition, and are good for quite some time. The car runs very strong, handles well, and sounds like a Ferrari should. Everything works including the clock. The car has all its factory tools, books, some small spares, and lots of records.

Ferrari S.p.A.based in Maranello and Modena, Italy, is probably the most famous exotic car manufacturer in the World.. Founded by EnzoFerari in 1929 as Scuderia Ferrari, the company sponsored drivers and manufactured race cars before moving into production of street legal vehicles in 1947 as Ferrari S.p.A. Ferrari's cars are among the most desirable of vehicles to own and drive, and are one of the ultimate status symbols of wealth in the world. Throughout its history, the company has been noted for its continued participation in racing, especially in Formua One, where it has largely enjoyed great success, especially during the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, late 1990s, and 2000s. Finally, after years of financial struggles, Enzo Ferrari sold the company's sports car division to the Fiat group in 1969 in order to help ensure continued financial backing for the foreseeable future. Enzo Ferrari himself retained control of the racing division until his death in 1988 at the age of 90.

The Ferrari 400 and Ferrari 412 are front-engined 2+2 coupé cars and were available with the 5-speed all synchromesh or an optional 3-speed automatic transmission unit from General Motors. Their design was derived from the almost identical looking 365 GT4 2+2 version of the famous Daytona. Production began in 1976, when Ferrari revealed its first car fitted with an automatic transmission - the 400 - at the Paris Motorshow of 1976. With the improved 412 introduced in 1985 it was phased out in 1989. Today, its sleek, Pininfarina-designed lines and relatively limited production numbers give it potential as a future classic. The engine, based on the Daytona's 4.4 L, was a 4.8 L producing 340 HP, front mounted and driving the rear wheels, the traditional GT car layout allowed Ferrari to fit four seats into the stylish coupé.
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