Info on 400i 1982 requested

If you are looking for a 400 to toy with, you could buy mine. Same year, a few more miles, and about the same condition.

 

I think it depends how fussy you are about the details and how quickly you want to put them right. You might want to replace the cracked indicators, sort out the missing switch, definitely straighten out the front bumper. Nothing insurmountable. It has dual A/C and a great color combo in the black/tan. I'd have Bill Pollard do a PPI, or at least talk to him about it - he's virtually next door to Forza.

Aidan

 

You're not going to get anyone here to say anything bad about Peter at Forza. He has a great reputation in the community.
He sold this car back in 2005 and it looks like he has it again.

Its an interesting car, a cross between series 1 and series 2 cars with a bit of each installed.
Series 1 dash and center console. Nicer in my opinion than a series 2.
Series 1 a/c ducts, not as good as a S2
S1 controls for the gas door and boot. This is a plus
S2 wheels and tires. A big negative.
S1 grille (Aidan, you see how the lights are set in slightly? Interesting huh? I swear no 2 are alike)
Front bumper has a dent in it
S1 side mirrors, you can actually see out of those.
That front lens is cracked. It'll cost way more than its worth to replace that.
5-speed; a HUGE +
Find out what the deal is with that hole on the left side of the lower dash.
Nardi wheel is in great shape
The outside mirror switch is missing
I have a spare radio that will slide right in if you buy it
Thats not the factory speedo, no biggie though
You've seen the dash leather I assume
Looks like the cover for the ignition lock is missing.
She was well warmed when the photos were taken (see the oil temp?) and she has good pressure
Sheesh! Look how beautiful that center console is.....I sure miss my S1 car.
MSD Box, no biggie.
This car does NOT have the load leveler system rear shocks. A BIG plus.
Find out if it has ceramic or pin type fuses. You want ceramic. The pin type board is NLA and known to fail.

Overall; a rare, series one/series two hybrid, 5-speed car with some minor issues.

Peter is a smart guy and knows his stuff. 5-speeds bring a minimum $5,000 premium and a nice one will bring an extra $10,000 easy. He has priced this car to move because of a few things that need to be addressed.
Get Bill Pollard to do the PPI and LISTEN TO WHAT HE SAYS. Don't argue, just say, "Yes Mr. Pollard whatever you say." then pay him. I know of 3 owners who've had him work on cars. He's THE man up there.

 

Kliko,

I have driven the car. I needs minor consmetics (in addition to what has been previously mentioned, both front turning signal lenses have cracks - $1K each) and MUCH mechanical work. The front end is vague to an extreme, this could be just a bad allignment and hard tires but I suspect the front end bits are worn. The engine ran poorly when I drove it. Peter thought it was old gas at the time but has since told me that it needs other work. He was quite candid about it's issues with me, give him a call; I'm sure he will be straight with you. The clutch was VERY heavy compared to my 330 but I don't know how bad it is compared to other 400s though.

If I was to guess, the car needs $15K - $25K to make into a very nice driver.

That said, I was considering it as a project until we opened up my 330's engine (see www.tomyang.net restoration diary section for the sad story); now I need to see how much of my finances have been sucked away before I proceed with a second V-12.

For comparison, there is a black on black car for sale in Texas that just had all of these issues corrected - spend the time reviewing what was done on it and what it cost so that you understand what you are getting into.

Regards,

Art S.

PS. This car is discussed in another thread in this section, though it might take some searching to find.

 

Art,
I really wish you wouldn't post that anymore. Every time I think about it my sphincter puckers right up. I'm sorry thats happening to you. You sure seem to be handeling it well (much better than I would be).

Megan said you called. Thanks. I found out your second box with the surprise inside didn't go out. I'll be there today and make sure it happens. I pm'd you the tracking number for your wine.


Kliko, the black on black car is at FoH. It won't be anywhere near as cheap as the one at Peter's. Let me know if you need contact info.

 

If the missing miror switch is the same as the S2 switch it is a $58 BMW part, Ferrari or Pina smundged the logo off them. I have the part # if anyone needs it.
Ken

 

It isn't

 

Dave,

I'm not taking the need for an engine rebuild well but I don't have a choice. Funny thing is the shop that did the original work is 'a reputable ferrari shop' and the shop's owner gave me his word regarding the quality of the rebuild he performed. Additionally, the compression and leakdown were still perfect when I shipped the car off to Francois for a dagnosis of a minor sound that bothered me... Though I was new to this sort of thing when I bought the car, I'm not sure what I should have done differently.

Regards,

Art S.

PS. Sorry for the off topic post.

 

There's not much you can do. I had a 948 BMC engine rebuilt for my vintage Turner race car and the car lost oil pressure on the first practice session, ending my race weekend at Lime Rock. Took it back to the respected engine builder and he gave it back with the problem "fixed". Next event was at Mt. Tremblant, a 10 hour tow. Lost oil pressure in the first practice session again. Shop owner shaking head. Engine builder took it back, said it's really fixed this time. Next event at NHIS, a 5 hour tow. Lost oil pressure in the first practice session again. Three attempts, three paid for events and hotel weekends, all down the drain. All in all, a horrible racing season because of a reputable guy who, um, had "some bad days".

I finally took it to another guy, who has become my main shop ever since. We found undersized journals on the crank, gunk in the valve train, generally a very sloppy mess. We ended up throwing away the whole engine: block, crank, bearings, pistons, valves, head. My carbs were fine. I never got my money back from the first guy, in fact he tried to sue me for the extra work!

I hope everything works out for you with the new rebuild. Once it is set right, your bad memory will fade with every mile that you put on the new engine.

John

 

Is that 1k EACH? I am seeing them on Ferrari Parts Exchange for 982 for the set. Maybe I am looking at the wrong item...

TSG23 400i Front turn lens set - amber/clear or all clear $982/set

 

Save the 9 hours. I and many others here, have bought cars sight unseen from Peter. His word is good.
Having said that I repeat once again; get Pollard to do a PPI. It'll be the best $400 to $500 you'll spend on this car. He won't miss a thing.
If you need his # let us know.

 

His number is 860-355-6990

Aidan

 

Jan,

What did Pete at Forza say? How did he describe the car to you?

Regards,

Art S.

 

Mine says BMW on the back of it. ???

 

The car we're talking about is a SERIES ONE car. A series 2 car mirror switch is NOT the same as a series one.
S1 is in the center console, S2 is in the door. S1 is round, S2 is rectangle. S1 is chrome/black, S2 is black.
S2 is a BMW part.

 

Dave,
Please be more specific.

 

Ok so I'm a bit anal sometimes <laughing>

 

Just so long that you don't get too much behind in your work!!!!

 

<groan>
"Ladies and Gentlemen please pardon my PUNny friend here. He knows not what he does.".

We now return to our regular sheduled program........