The Ferrari 400 Is the Forgotten Modern Ferrari

Ask a car enthusiast to name modern Ferrari models, and you’ll likely get the names of virtually all of them — new ones like the 488 and Portofino, supercars like the Enzo and LaFerrari and recent favorites like the 308, the Testarossa and the 550 Maranello. One name you probably won’t hear is the 400.

Indeed, most enthusiasts either don’t know about or have simply forgotten about the Ferrari 400, which was actually offered in three variations — each with different names — from 1972 to 1989. Initially, there was the 365 GT4 2+2, which went from 1972 to 1976, followed by the 400, which went from 1976 to 1985, followed by the final evolution of the car, the 412, which was sold from 1985 to 1989. Many enthusiasts don’t know of any of them.

So what exactly were these cars? The 400, 412 and 365 GT4 2+2 fit into the Ferrari formula in the usual place where Ferrari models are forgotten about: the V12-powered 4-seater model. These days, the Ferrari occupying this spot is the GTC4Lusso; before that, it was the FF, which was preceded by the 612 Scaglietti, which was preceded by the 456. And the car before the 456 was the 412, which went out of production a few years before the 456 finally went on sale.

Interestingly, the 365 GT4 2+2, the 400 and the 412 models weren’t so bad — they’re just largely forgotten. They had handsome designs, and the V12 powerplant initially made around 340 horsepower, before a decrease to 310 hp to meet emissions regulations, before an increase back up to 340 in the 412. More importantly, the 400 was reportedly Enzo Ferrari’s last personal car — a luxurious cruiser (offered with an automatic transmission) he could use to drive around in his final years.

Unfortunately, the 400 and its similar models are, indeed, largely forgotten — but maybe they shouldn’t be. And maybe they’ll have a resurgence in popularity once again as they trend towards the “vintage” and “collectible” age.

Doug Demuro

Doug DeMuro writes articles and makes videos, mainly about cars. Doug was born in Denver, Colorado, and received an economics degree from Emory University in Atlanta. After graduation, Doug spent three years working for Porsche Cars North America. Eventually, he quit his job to become a writer, largely because it meant that he no longer had to wear pants. Doug’s work has been featured in a… Read more about Doug Demuro

8 COMMENTS

David Edwards September 23, 2018 At 20:40

Actually, the one Ferrari that most people say they wish they could forget is the Mondial. 🙂

The 400/412 series was, in effect, Ferrari’s attempt to build a Bentley.

Mark Jackson, CRCM September 4, 2018 At 09:33

I think they’re pretty cool, and very understated. But, I absolutely cannot wait for the Pagani review, drool….