As a car nut, and a previous 400i owner, I collect everything I can about my cars including every photo that I can find. I thought I'd share my favorite 400 photo. If you realize the market this car was going after when introduced and that it was one of the most expensive cars in the world I think you'll agree this picture is great. Doesn't he look like the perfect example of a wealthy European gentleman? Interesting that it only has one mirror. Image Unavailable, Please Login
My favorite picture of 3 400s....... LOL!!! sorry only messing rght i am going now..... Image Unavailable, Please Login
yes, the guy fits well with the 400i. both look subtle, but you know they mean business funny how people think of elderly grey men when talking about wealthy europens, and how they think of tanned young men when talking about wealthy americans...
Here's pic of mine from the side. Only 1 mirror. I think the 76-79 A & GT, only had one. I hate having to turn my head to that side. Image Unavailable, Please Login
I'm a grey, getting older, and funny looking american who likes 30+ year old european cars. Guess that makes me ugly, poor, and nuts
A federalized US car would have run you around $77,500. Some magazines have quoted as high as $85,000.
I always get a kick out of being able to have $250,000 worth of cars in my garage, knowing I only spent about $60,000! I really enjoy seeing Ferraris that aren't red! My car only has one mirror as well, it's a 1978 400GT. Image Unavailable, Please Login
The scary part is, they're next in line! I'm hoping in a couple of years to have a Countach and a 600 coupe.
Based on the Consumer Price Index $85K in 1978 is $255K today. In line with buying a new Ferrari 2+2 in the US today. Al
Not exactly sure. The car was originally Grigio Mahmoud. It was painted in the late 80's. I get more compliments on the paint, than the car itself.
Ditto on the 60K. This is what's parked next to the 400. Kind of ironic. My poker handle is pairof12s. Trip12s!!!! Bravo. Click the 850 pic twice. http://photos.yahoo.com/balosss1
Hi, According to the registration plate, this car is registered in France. 92 is an administrative district close to Paris.
Hi again I add something. The letters show that it is not the original registration of the car, it's already a second hand car or at least it shows that the owner moved. One mirror : so is mine. ('79). Back to the time the picture was taken, such a car required the owner to pay each year an administrative tax amounting to 800 $ (half price once the car was 5 or 10 yrs old). Thanks God, this tax does not exist any more.
Hi, When the car was sold new in France at this time (1980 or so), the price was 215.000 FF. Converted in euros, that will be 32.800 euros, which makes 39.300 us $. Do not misunderstand these figures, there was the same ratio with a usual car than nowadays. Olivier
Using current exchange rates, especially euros, which didn't exist in 1980, isn't the best way to compare prices. Without looking at my notes from the time. my recollection is that the US Dollar equivalent of a 400i sold in Europe in 1983 was about $50,000. In order to get a 400i federalized in the U.S. cost about another $25,000 then (approximate Amerispec price according to contemporary R&T and C&D reports), hence the estimate that a U.S. approved 400i would cost about $75K in 1983. Since then, there always has been a significant price difference between 400i cars sold in the U.S. compared to Europe, with the latter being somewhat cheaper, although that difference seems to have narrowed over time. John
Hi John, Ok you're right with the euro comparison but in Europe we do not use the european currencies anymore, I apologize. I'm 100% positive about the price, I'm not certain which year it was, 1980 I think. Back to these years, the exchange rate was 5/1. It fits with your figures : 39,3k$ in 1980, 50k$ in 1983, inflation explains the gap. As you can guess, there is no need to get any further approvement in Europe. Last thing, the price is different in every country where the car is being sold, due at least to different value added tax rates. I don't know whether Ferrari allows every national distributor to tune the selling price. Eventually, the buyer pays the vat in the country where he lives, which offsets the vat difference. Olivier
Olivier Thanks, all good points, especially regarding the historical exchange rate at that time. For many years the primary reason for price differences between 400/400i in U.S. and Europe was cost of certification for U.S. regulations. John
Here are a couple of my fave 400 series shots. The prugna 412 was in La Chartre sur le Loir near Le Mans about 6 years ago, the black 400i is mine. Aidan Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login