1983 400i Auto Chassis 51779

Wow, sweet color combo--too bad it's not a 5-speed.
Should be an 84 though...51779 falls after my 50679.

 

It's back! 1983 Ferrari 400i | eBay

 

It is pretty.
Does the chassis # seem a little late for an '83?

 

Hi all, so i've just completed the purchase of 51779 and it is indeed a 1984. I will be the fourth owner. Imported to Florida via Autexpo GMBH in Germany to the first owner. Second owner was in Ohio, and third owner had it for the last ten years and put fewer than 500 miles on it during those ten years. Still performed annual services despit few miles, kept in a heated garage, etc... Car was effectively recommissioned after sitting without much exercise for so long. Having never been apart and well maintained, it drives like a new car. The car is as immaculate as seen in the photos. It's gorgeous! Very excited to have it as my first Ferrari. I'll post further details as I get to know the car more.

Does anyone know of a source besides Classiche to find factory information on the car?

Thanks,

Jason

 

Congrats Jason!
It is rare to find such an original 400i. Very attractive colour scheme too.

In case of interest, here's a data dump of its early history from my database.

Nov 1985, Foreign Cars Italia, 1984, dark blue with white, 2k, dual air, USD 64,750.
FML, Nov 1985, dark blue with white seats and blue leather dash, dual air, full EPA & DOT, under 2,000 miles, USD 64,750; Foreign Cars Italia, Greensboro, NC, 919/852-2158.
Sep 1986, 1984, dark blue with white, 3k, USD 59,000; Dec 1986 USD 55,000.
Prancing Horse Magazine 84, 3rd Quarter 1987, Carolyn David, 2nd in Class FCA Concours 1987, Virginia.
1st in Class 1989 National Ferrari Concours

It is unusual in having Blu Scuro paint as a 1984, as by that time Pininfarina had switched from Italver to Glasurit paints, and Blu Scuro was not in the Glasurit standard range. I'd be interested in seeing the paint sticker in the boot if it still has one. It was presumably a "special order" paint scheme.

Your Engine, being number 1186 is "matching" (ie original).

You should have a Pininfarina body number stamped on all panels and written on the trim. Easiest place to find it is on the leading edge of the bonnet, half way down, left hand side. As a guess it may be somewhere near 1300.
Regards
David

 

Congratulations and welcome Jason!
It looks like new!

 

Thanks guys.

David- thanks very much for all of the information. Greatly appreciated. I'll check for the paint sticker and Pininfarina body number tomorrow and report back.

The original warranty card is dated 6/20/84 to Autoexpo GMBH. The first owner I have paperwork for is from 9/14/1984 to John Long, MD of Ormond Beach, Florida. One month later in October 1984 he transferred title to his medical practice in Ormond Beach.

Then in 1987, title transfers from medical practice to Carol David (who you reference above). Next title I have is from February of 2008 to the owner prior to me, who i believe purchased it from Carol David. I have spoken to the prior owner and will confirm this with him.


Best,

Jason

 

David- see photo of trunk paint label attached.

Jason
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Thanks Jason - very interesting.

As I mentioned, normally you would find a Glasurit sticker (see attached example, Blu Sera from #51677).

I have never come across a Ferrari with Montedison paint before. It seems similar paint stickers were in use in Alfa Romeos from the early 1970s.

I don't doubt the paint is original, and the first owner must have been quite influential to have managed to order an out of range paint. That said, Blu Scuro was part of the standard paint range a year before your car was manufactured, though the paint supplier was Italver, not Glasurit or Montedison.

You mention the warranty card is made out to Autoexpo GmbH. They were the official importer to Southern Germany at the time.

Enjoy your fine 400i
David
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Just for reference, same paint color (and leather color) on a 1983 (47911) that was listed for sale at a dealer in Paris last year, with a nice video of the car attached. Video is nicely done.

http://castingautomobilesclassic.com/voiture/ferrari-400i/

 

Sure is a pretty example. Congrats!

 

Thanks Dave!

 

Additional history detail:

1985 offered by John C. Long, Ormond Beach, FL/USA. Midnight blue with soft white leather. Dual air, all options, EPA/DOT approved. 250 miles. (FML 1002-1022).
1985 offered-1986 by Foreign Cars Italia, Greensboro, NC/USA. Dark blue with white seats, blue leather dash. Under 2,000 miles. (FML 1022-1110).
1986 offered-87 by John C. Long again. Under 3,000 miles. (FML 1118-1202).
Entered 1989 FCA National Ferrari Concours, Atlanta, GA by Carolyn David, Huron, OH, 1st in class.
Entered 1992 FCA National Ferrari Concours, Grand Rapids, MI by David, Middle Bass, OH, 1st in class and National Preservation Award.
Entered 1995 FCA National Ferrari Concours, Columbus, OH, gold class Award.

Obviously very well cared for by Mrs Carolyn M. David (2nd owner). The car was purchased by the next owner via Forza Motorsport in Gaylordsville, CT. That would have been owner number three. I purchased the car from owner number three, becoming owner number four, via Legends Auto Sales (specifically Melvin Glanz, who was a pleasure to deal with). I spoke directly with owner number three who put fewer than 500 miles on the car during their stewardship. Hence the car's outstanding original condition.

The car drives amazingly well and feels like a new car having never been apart. A true pleasure to drive!

 

You probably already have it, but here are the details I have for the 2007 sale by Forza:

29 Nov 2007 for sale via Forza in (CT), $27,500, 29,000 miles, last owner 20 years; eBay Item number: 200179423256 Forza Motorsports Gaylordsville, Connecticut

I notice it was described as "midnight blue" in 1985 - as you probably know, this is just another term for "Blu Scuro". Blu Scuro was known officially as Blu Ortis during the 365 and early 400 period (until 1978, when renamed Blu Scuro).
It was a popular choice for the 400 until the changover to Glasurit paint at the end of 1983 (#48617 is the last 400i I have recorded as Blu Scuro, except for yours). The colour was extremely rare on other Ferraris at the time - for example only 5 Testarossas were painted Blu Scuro, in a production run of over 7,000.

 

But blu scuro was a paint color used on later Ferraris, there being at least one 348 in this color. Owner is in Seattle and is on fchat.

 

Yes, but Blu Scuro wasn't part of the standard range of Glasurit colours offered on the 400i from 1984, or 412. Below is the list of colours you could order (from late 1983 to end of 412 production). Glasurit did also produce a Blu Scuro paint (FER 501) which I've seen on Testarossas and 308s but I've never come across it on a 400i or 412.

bianco / FER 100


argento met. / FER 101/C

giallo / FER 102

oro chiaro met. / FER 104/C

rosso corsa / FER 300/6

rosso met. / FER 305/C

prugna met. / FER 306/C

blu chiaro met. / FER 503/C

blu sera met. / FER 504/C

azzurro met. / FER 505/C

blu medio met. / FER 506/C

verde chiaro met. / FER 602/C

verde scuro met. / FER 603/C

verde ténue met. / FER 604/C

grigio met. / FER 700/C

marrone met. / FER 800/C

nero met. / FER 901/C

nero / FER 1240

 

Congratulations, Jason, on your new acquisition! That looks fabulous and is a rarity to find one these days in that condition. May you have many happy miles and smiles with it!

 

Thank you John!

Attached are a couple of additional photos from last weekend after having a paint correction (polishing) done, and Opticoat Pro+ ceramic coating installed to try and protect the paint as much as possible!

Based on what i'm learning on another thread on speedometers, and the fact that my odometer is rolling off faster than miles, it looks likely that odometer is actually in KM, with the MPH speedo having been "stickered" on. So my actual mileage appears to be more like 19,000 miles. Fairly common according to the gentlement I spoke with at Palo Alto Speedometer. I will drive over a measured KM this weekend to confirm.

I've also fixed a couple of what are apparently common electrical issues- replacing ignition switch module (key didn't want to turn previously); re-soldered detached headlight switch connection, etc... thanks to the help of FC members and some good instructions and advice on here. Still have a few more to figure out, but the car is great overall! Very happy with the purchase!
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Indeed common... this is the case with my car 412 s/n 63321. On mine, If you look closely, you can actually see the edge of the sticker - plus, the font on the speedo is a slightly different orange than the other gauges (412s have orange-font gauges).

Congrats again on your car - it looks fantastic!

Cheers,

Ruben

 

Sorry to Hijack the thread, possible to pull what your database says about mine?

1984 400i
VIN ZFFEB06B00005117

Thanks so much.

 

That isn't the correct VIN

 

Hello Jonathan,
Here is what I have for 51777:

RM/Kruse auction 3 Apr 1993, Metallic Blue/tan; TRX suspension, full tool kit; very clean and nearly like new, especially the engine; solid; good original paint and interior; 61,563 km.
16 Apr 1999, 73,772 km., dual A/C, automatic, good original paint, nose stone chipped. Interior shows appropriate wear, very clean underhood.
2001 - in Ontario, Canada
2001 - 2003 in (CO)
2004 in (PA)
2008 - 2014 in (CA)
Ebay, Lakewood, CA, 26 Jan 2015, 88,000 km, winning bid $18,000.

I don't have your engine number on file, but it should be very close to Jason's (1186).
Also, I don't know where your car was supplied new - do you have the original warranty/service book?

Regards