Italian Flag Ferrari 365 GT4 2+2 / 400 i GT / 412 GT ~ 1972-89

Ferrari 400 iAfter the short lived “faux 2+2” Ferrari 365 GTC/4, which couldn’t accommodate rear passengers due to its extra small back seats, Ferrari launched the true replacement of the 365 GT 2+2 with the subtle, 1972 Ferrari 365 GT4 2+2. Finally a real four seater was again available in Ferrari’s catalogue, and once more PininFarina drew its body.

Ferrari 400 iThe chassis’ wheelbase was 5 cm (2in) longer than the 365 GT 2+2, making it now a total of 2700 mm (106.3 in), but the overall car length was shorter. Ventilated disc brakes were fitted all around as well as the all independent suspension with the self leveling rear suspension developed by Koni. This system re-leveled itself depending on the car’s load and had been already used first on the 365 GT 2+2.

Ferrari 400 iPininFarina went outside of its comfort zone with this angular 2+2 that didn’t have one curve to its name. The nose was chiseled with turning signals and parking lights sitting on the nose slope, while a wide grill just below the one piece black bumper seemed hidden. In front of the hood were retractable pop-up headlights with two round lamps on each side. A slatted wide brushed aluminum hood air vent gave a little contrast to the low hood allowed by the use of sidedraught carburetors. The 365 GT4 2+2 had thin pillars giving great visibility, and as seen on the Daytona, a thin recessed belt line gave some strengthening, as well as something to look at on this long profile. The five star alloy wheel set had a central knock-off cap, but Borrani wire wheels were available as an option. The 365 GT4 was a practical three-volume car with a decent size trunk but the awkward three round taillight cluster on each side sitting on a black matt paint finish didn’t help the rear end visual appeal. This three light cluster look was taken from the 365 GTC/4, and could have been the GT4 2+2’s visual downfall.

Ferrari 400 iThe modern interior was taken straight out of the 365 GTC/4 with its wide and long swooping down wooden center console adorning four gauges at the top and oriented towards the driver. The radio was installed just below the four top gauges with the AC controls on each side, which was a standard feature. A plethora of lever and rocker switches were scattered around the five-speed non-exposed metal gate gear lever, with the traditional metallic ashtray underneath it. The binnacle looked contemporary with four rounded central air vents on theFerrari 400 i top center dashboard, but it is the rear space that made all the difference from the GTC/4 with leg and head room for two adults, as long as the front seats weren’t reclined all the way back. The rear passengers were wrapped in their own seats, and divided by a tall armrest with a rear ashtray located in front of it. To add to the comfort and luxurious feeling of this Grand Tourer, everything was covered with leather and thick carpet rendering long journeys that much more pleasant.

Ferrari 400 iThe engine was the four-cam, 4.4 liter (268 cu in) V12 taken from the GTC/4. It was fed by 6 sidedraught Weber carburetors allowing for a low hood line, and produced 340 hp at 6800 rpm. Matted to a five-speed gearbox, its performance was not so disastrous for a 3417 lb (1550 kg) car, even if this wasn’t the 365 GT4’s trump card. The 0-60 mph was achieved in 7.3 seconds, and the top speed was 150 mph (241 km/h).

Ferrari 400 iWith this classy and timeless PininFarina design Ferrari introduced its evolution with the 1976 Ferrari 400 GT. The 400 GT was an all out 365 GT4 2+2 with the only external differences being a set of five spokes concave alloy wheels now held in place with five bolts. A low front spoiler lip kept the car more planted on the road, and favored the airflow into the radiator. Also a rectangular extra driving light was encased at each side of the grill. Happily the big visual plus came from the adoption of the unmistakable two round Ferrari taillights set on each side, but sadly they still were displayed with the same rear black matt finish. But underneath the skin was the major transformation on the 400 GT.

The Ferrari 400 GT was the first production Ferrari offered with an automatic transmission. Named the "400 A", it caused an outrage amongst Ferrari’s Tifosi. The transmission used was based on the three speed General Motors, Turbo-Hydramatic unit, giving what the North American customers mostly wanted. Of all the Ferrari 400s sold, two thirds were ordered with an automatic transmission, this "lazy" choice ended-up being a great success for Ferrari in terms of sales. The engine also received a boost, now with a 4.8 liter (294 cu in) capacity, the V12 gave the same 340 hp as in the 365 GT4, but at a lower 6500 rpm improving its tractability.

Ferrari 412 GTNew changes came in 1979 with the adoption of injection giving the 400 its new nomenclature, the "400 i". At first this new system wasn’t well received because it reduced the top end power to 310 hp, then 315 hp in 1983, but it also considerably helped with reliability issues always challenged by six carburetors needing expert hands to be tuned. At the front, the brushed aluminum air hood vent was now body color matched, and at the rear, the questionable black matt finish was finally body color coded as well. Also new were the more profiled side door mirrors replacing the older and larger rectangular units.

Ferrari 412 GTThe interior also received a freshen-up with now heavily upholstered seats. Also, the four round interior air vents on top of the dashboard were deleted, now replaced by three squared vents relocated at the top of the center console with only three auxiliary gauges underneath it. Lever switches were replaced by big rocker plastic buttons; marking the arrival of the not so elegant and brash 80’s. Performance suffered a little bit with now a 7.8 seconds time to get to 60 mph, while the top speed remained the same at 150 mph (241 km/h).

The third evolution of this long lasting Ferrari came in 1985, with the Ferrari 412 GT. For this last update Ferrari changed the concave five-spoke wheel set with a flatter five spoke design, still held in place by five bolts. On both ends, the bumpers were more flushed to the bodywork, and received body color coded paint, bringing this 13 year old design to the present time.

Ferrari 412 GTOnce more the engine was enlarged, this time to 4.9 liter (302 cu in) renewing with its initial power output of 340 hp, but at a lower 6000 rpm. In 1986 the power decreased a little to 325 hp with the adoption of a catalytic exhaust converter. It was still matted to the five speed manual transmission or the more popular three speed automatic GM unit. With less power and a slightly sleeker body, the top speed was a little higher at 158 mph (255 km/h), while 60 mph from a standstill could now be achieved in 6.8 seconds.Ferrari 412 GT

The production of this elegant, and discreet Ferrari four seater ended in 1989 after 17 years of loyal service. Nowadays the Ferrari 365 GT4, 400 i and 412 GT can be bought relatively cheap, not that maintaining the V12 would be, but what a classy and underrated presence this Ferrari has, and it keeps on looking more mature and subtle year after year… just plain classic!

JJP.

Ferrari 365 GT4 2+2 / 400 i / 412 GT Specifications
Model/Year Ferrari 365 GT4 2+2
1972-76
Ferrari 400 GT/400 A
1976-79
Ferrari 400 i
1979-85
Ferrari 412 GT
1985-89
Designer Pinin Farina      
Engine Type All alloy V12 @ 60˚, DOHC. 2V      
Capacity 4390 cc / 268 cu in 4823 cc / 294 cu in   4943 cc / 302 cu in
Fuel Feed 6 sidedraught Weber 38 DCOE carb.   Bosch K-Jetronic Bosch K-Jetronic
Power 318 hp @ 6800 rpm 340 hp @ 6500 rpm 310 hp
315 hp in 83
@ 6400 rpm
340 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque 311 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm     312 lb-ft @ 3800 rpm
Transmission 5 speed - RWD 5 speed or
3 speed GM Hydramatic
  5 speed or
3 speed GM Hydramatic
Top Speed 152 mph - 245 km/h 150 mph - 241 km/h 150 mph - 241 km/h 158 mph - 255 km/h
"0-60" mph
0-100 km/h
7.3 sec   7.8 sec 6.7 sec
Chassis Steel Tubular      
Weelbase 2700 mm / 106.3 in      
Front Suspension 2 Wishbones, Coil Springs, Koni Tube Shocks. Anti-roll Bar      
Rear Suspension 2 Wishbones, Coil Springs, Koni Self Leveling Shocks, Anti-roll Bar      
Brakes Ventilated Disc all around      
Front Tires 215-70 VR 15     240-55 VR 16, TRX
Rear Tires 215-70 VR 15     240-55 VR 16, TRX
Steering Recirculating ball Recirculating ball Recirculating ball Rack & Pinion
Weight 3417 lb / 1550 kg 3946 lb / 1790 kg   3990 lb / 1810 kg
Country of Origin Italy      
Production Num. 521 402 1306 529
Ferrari 412 GT - There is plenty of space back
here for two adults including their heads.
Ferrari 412 GT - 80's plastic madness with GM 3 speed Hydramatic.
Ferrari 412 GT - The matching color coded hood vent was fitted since the
400 i, but the bumpers and clear light covers are all new on the 412 GT.
Ferrari 412 GT - All throughout its production life the
365 GT4 / 400 i /412's classic design remained largely unchanged.
Ferrari 412 GT - The unmistakable profile of a
fast comfortable Intercontinental sports car.
Ferrari 400 i - In 1979 the 400 i unveiled a more modern and
plasticky dashboard without wood veneer and toggle switches.
Ferrari 400 i - Introduced in 1979, the 400 i was the first model of
this four seater series to adorn a matching color coded rear panel.
Ferrari 400 A - The rear black matte finish treatment
can be seen on the 365 GT4 2+2 and 400 GT model.
Ferrari 400 i - 4.4 liter V12 with Bosch injection
producing 310 hp (315 hp in 83) at 6400 rpm.
Ferrari 400 A - The slatted wide brushed aluminum hood air
vent design was used until the arrival of the 400 i in 1979.