365 GT4 2+2 ......400i transplant | FerrariChat
Buy

365 GT4 2+2 ......400i transplant

Discussion in '365 GT4 2+2/400/412' started by 3wings, Apr 8, 2008.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

Page 1 of 2
  1. 3wings

    3wings Karting

    Apr 7, 2008
    139
    South Africa
    Full Name:
    Mike
    #1 3wings, Apr 8, 2008
    I am about to embark on an insane project....to convert a truly immaculate LHD 1975 365 GT4 2+2 (with only 28000 miles on the clock) from LHD to RHD using a 1979 400i as a donor. The RHD 400i has suffered with rust and is therefore essentially a breaker (the engine has already been sold) although I do have the auto transmission and masses of spares. All I really need from it is the RHD dash, console & instrument cluster and a few bits and pieces and I will be left with an immaculate LHD 365 dash, console + instruments.
    I'd welcome any advice (quitting is NOT an option) as well as any enquiries for spares.

    best regards

    Mike
     
  2. dstacy

    dstacy F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Jan 23, 2006
    11,997
    GMT -5 & GMT +1
    Full Name:
    Dave
    #2 dstacy, Apr 9, 2008
    Mike you're going to be so proud of yourself when you finish this project.
    I wish I had the confidence in my own abilities, let alone the energy, to take on something like this.

    Saw your note about where you live. You've got some great wines near you.
     
  3. 3wings

    3wings Karting

    Apr 7, 2008
    139
    South Africa
    Full Name:
    Mike
    #3 3wings, Apr 10, 2008
    Hi Dave

    I'd like a sip from your cup of wisdom and experience......

    My 365 is, at present, a rather unfortunate shade of bronze metallic......I'm sorry it just has to go !!

    The interior Connolly's 'Vaumol' leather is beige (tan) so the car has to be red.

    But which red ? There are 8 to choose from the original 1973 list !!

    best regards

    Mike

    PS: Enjoyed a rare bottle of 1991 Thelema Cabernet Sauvignon with my supper this evening.....superb !
     
  4. Pcar928fan

    Pcar928fan Formula 3

    Jan 21, 2008
    1,702
    Austin, TX
    #4 Pcar928fan, Apr 10, 2008
    Pick the one closest to the deep red of the F1 cars back in what '93/'94... LOVED that color and would LOVE to see a 365 in that shade of red!

    Good luck!

    James
    Austin, TX
     
  5. dstacy

    dstacy F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Jan 23, 2006
    11,997
    GMT -5 & GMT +1
    Full Name:
    Dave
    #5 dstacy, Apr 10, 2008
    Me? Wise?
    BAWAHAHAHA oh stop it! Thats just too funny
    :D


    I actually like that combo and think its one of the best colors. I think its called Marone Met. or something like that. Look up aleventhal here on Fchat, his 400i is that color.

    See if these help you:
    http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/1011/ferraricolorchartyz4.jpg

    http://www.jb330gt.com/Colors.htm

    http://www.glasurit.com/COLOR/CCC-Online/index.php?language=8

    http://www.nwrfca.org/faq/colors.html
     
  6. 3wings

    3wings Karting

    Apr 7, 2008
    139
    South Africa
    Full Name:
    Mike
    #6 3wings, Apr 11, 2008
    Hi Dave

    Wise........now hold on there buddy.....I didn't say that you were wise, only that somewhere in your cellar you obviously have that magic cup!

    Anyone who can spend so much time on the Fchat site PLUS run a successful wine farm must have that elusive chalice somewhere !

    And I was right, you came up with the goods, many thanks for all those links they are a great help. The brown/bronze/maronne really doesn't work for me, colour choice is subjective I know, but I promise to think long and hard before I get out the spray gun.

    Back in the 70's John Lennon famously painted his Rolls Royce yellow and the boys at RR offered him a fortune to buy it back and bury it. He declined.

    I wonder if pink might elicit a similar action from Maranello ??
     
  7. moserpe

    moserpe Karting

    Jul 20, 2006
    137
    Switzerland
    Full Name:
    Peter Moser
    #7 moserpe, Apr 11, 2008
    Hi Mike,

    I'd definitely prefer a Marrone 400i with Tan interior to my silver/dark blue one. This is the disadvantage buying a rare used car. Once you find a car in the condition you want, it is probably not your preferred colour. With my AUDI quattro turbo 20V (one out of 898) I was luckier. Pearl white was always my favourite (for this car only) and I got one in near to new condition.

    Unfortunately you are so far away; otherwise I'd be interested in an ashtray insert for the 400i which I'm after since I bought the car. The courier to get it to Europe might cost more than you'd ask for the part.

    Wish you all the success you need for your project.

    Peter

    http://homepage.hispeed.ch/Cavalli/
     
  8. aidanparte

    aidanparte Formula 3

    Jul 18, 2004
    1,231
    #8 aidanparte, Apr 11, 2008
    My 4-year-old daughter would like a pink Ferrari. I've never seen one, though.

    Aidan
     
  9. 3wings

    3wings Karting

    Apr 7, 2008
    139
    South Africa
    Full Name:
    Mike
    #9 3wings, Apr 11, 2008
    Google 'pink ferrari' you'll see an Enzo that might just make you vommit !
     
  10. 3wings

    3wings Karting

    Apr 7, 2008
    139
    South Africa
    Full Name:
    Mike
    #10 3wings, Apr 11, 2008
    Hi Peter

    Thanks for the kind words. The Marrone's just got to go....sorry.

    Maybe we could work something out on the ashtray insert, postage from SA should not be too expensive.

    best!

    Mike
     
  11. dstacy

    dstacy F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Jan 23, 2006
    11,997
    GMT -5 & GMT +1
    Full Name:
    Dave
    #11 dstacy, Apr 11, 2008
  12. b3tech

    b3tech Karting

    Apr 17, 2007
    100
    Los Gatos CA
    Full Name:
    Boyd Bowdish
    #12 b3tech, Apr 12, 2008
    hey the pink is cute...... It would look great on a Prius (hahahaha).
     
  13. aidanparte

    aidanparte Formula 3

    Jul 18, 2004
    1,231
    #13 aidanparte, Apr 12, 2008
    Dave

    Thanks for the pics. The Enzo looks pretty good in cerise.

    My daughter is an aficionado - no point trying to fool her!

    Aidan
     
  14. It's Ross

    It's Ross Formula 3

    Jul 30, 2007
    2,028
    Barrington, Ill. USA
    Full Name:
    Ross
    #14 It's Ross, Apr 12, 2008
    Not insane, ambitious.
    My only advice is not to sell off anything from the donor until you are absolutely 100% finished, lest you find yourself looking for the RHD variation a wheel bearing or some other silly unexpected difference.
    I'd like to see the in process pictures.
     
  15. 3wings

    3wings Karting

    Apr 7, 2008
    139
    South Africa
    Full Name:
    Mike
    #15 3wings, Apr 12, 2008
    Hi to everyone on this thread.

    Thanks for the support, advice and encouragement. For a 'rookie' Ferrari owner its great to know that I'm not 'home alone'....

    Just to put you all more in the picture, I bought the cars from a racing driver/Ferrari enthusiast who is the father of a great buddy of mine. He lives 2000kms (1240 miles) away and this is Africa. The original plan was for him to take the cars to Johannesburg and put them on a train to me down here in Cape Town, trouble is the 400i is undrivable so it'll have to go on a trailer. The breakdown/vehicle recovery boys would want a small fortune to collect them so I'm going to do it myself ! That's a 2500 mile round trip.....I am insane !

    Anyway, it'll be an interesting 'bonding' exercise and I'll picture-document the road-trip and the conversion process step by step. The first part of the return journey is through the bush, that means lions, rhino, elephant, giraffe, zebra...you name it....with luck, just maybe I'll get some interesting images......watch this space.

    As I mentioned before, I'll be happy to talk spares but as Ross wisely cautioned, I am going to have to be very careful with what I part with because when its gone its gone. One other point I must keep in mind; there are NO used/second-hand Ferrari spares people here in South Africa (at least none that I've found, I guess the market is just too small) so anything that I might need in future would have to be either brought in via the Ferrari main dealership in Cape Town or sourced abroad elsewhere.

    Yep, this is going to be one hell of an experience....just hope I stay insane long enough to see it through !!

    Wish me luck !

    Mike
     
  16. 3wings

    3wings Karting

    Apr 7, 2008
    139
    South Africa
    Full Name:
    Mike
    #16 3wings, Apr 17, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Just to keep you posted on my insanity-trip: (my wife's already calling it a serious mid-life crisis!)

    Fuel cost to collect car approx: $1000.
    Rental for 2.8l diesel pick-up+trailer: $400.
    Overnight stops, food etc:$300.
    Contingency: $300.
    Total $2000.

    Repaint from brown (maronne) to red (Corsa Rosso what else ?) including all stripping, glass removal etc and taking it down to bare metal where appropriate.
    Base coats, respray, polishing and rebuild to, at least the standard of Ralph's absolutely superb example, (sorry for stealing your image Ralph but she's soooooooo beautiful) all done by the undisputed best body-shop in the Province: $3750.

    I know what you're all thinking,...... but this is Africa, insurance might be sky-high but some things are more down to earth.

    I hope to be back safely from the 'safari' by next Sunday, April 27th and will be able to post some images of the road-trip shortly thereafter.

    best!

    Mike
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  17. Timp

    Timp Rookie

    Oct 8, 2005
    42
    #17 Timp, Apr 25, 2008
    Wow ! that is fantastically beautiful. I LOVE the shape of the front area below the bumper. I hadn't noticed that before, muc better than on the 400 IMHO....... And love the color. Congrats !






     
  18. Ferrari 360 CS

    Ferrari 360 CS F1 Veteran

    Dec 4, 2004
    6,867
    Cape Town,SA
    Full Name:
    Jacques
    #18 Ferrari 360 CS, Apr 26, 2008
    Just came accross this post now, nice to see someone else from Cape Town! Certainly seems like an interesting project...towing the car down is a much better idea.....

    You didnt try and get your hands on the very sad and poorly maintained 400i that was running around Cape Town a year or 2 back, really was in a very sorry state.

    Agreed about parts, there is virtually no second hand parts to be found in SA but I am sure our local importer can source nearly anything...
     
  19. 3wings

    3wings Karting

    Apr 7, 2008
    139
    South Africa
    Full Name:
    Mike
    #19 3wings, Apr 27, 2008
    I'm back.....

    But you know what......?

    After 4 days and over 3900 kms on the road, I can't do it,.....I just can't do it.

    I can not butcher this magificent creature into a RHD....

    Sorry.
     
  20. aidanparte

    aidanparte Formula 3

    Jul 18, 2004
    1,231
    #20 aidanparte, Apr 27, 2008
    Good decision! Best of luck with both cars.

    Aidan
     
  21. pastmaster

    pastmaster Formula Junior

    Feb 5, 2006
    890
    Alma, Michigan USA
    #21 pastmaster, Apr 27, 2008
    AH! The agony and ecstasy of passion, for a thing that one truly loves. The conflict between the mind and heart. You listened to both, you did the right thing. Be proud.

    Ciao...Paolo
     
  22. 3wings

    3wings Karting

    Apr 7, 2008
    139
    South Africa
    Full Name:
    Mike
    #22 3wings, Apr 28, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Here are a few images of the road trip from Cape Town to ‘the toy cupboard’ in Limpopo Province, (about 300 kms south of the border with Zimbabwe) a total distance, including a 100 km detour to take in the view from ‘God’s Window', of 1997 kms. I left home at 2.30 pm on Wednesday and got back last night at 8.30 pm, 102 hours and 3881 kms later. Total driving time of 53.25 hours making an average speed of 72.88 kms/hr, not bad for a Merc !
    I could have paid someone to go fetch it, that would have been easy, but I badly wanted to do this trip. I had open-heart surgery a couple of years ago and needed to prove something to myself, long story, too heavy for this post..
    Anyway the drive gave me lots of time to think and I decided not to convert her to RHD. I could have done it sure, but it would have been the wrong decision for many reasons so I’ll just have to get used to a new way of driving.
    There’s an image of the VIN and chassis number, but she’s #18277 and I would much appreciate any history that might be out there. I know that she was imported here to South Africa in 1975 but do not know if she was brand new at the time. The 400i has been almost totally dismantled, I brought a ton of spares down with me; the doors, boot and trunk lid, windshield I’ll get shipped…there’s no way I’m driving back up there to fetch them !!
    Meanwhile she's off to the workshop in the morning to get the suspension and shocks sorted and then a new lick of paint.
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  23. davebuchner

    davebuchner Formula 3

    Jun 1, 2005
    2,487
    London UK
    Full Name:
    Dave Buchner
    #23 davebuchner, Apr 29, 2008
    Welcome back. I think that is a WISE move not to do the LHD conversion. It could have ended up costing more than the value of the car, and in fact would have reduced the value of the end result through not being 'original'.

    A friend of mine had a red 365GT4 2+2 until a year ago, also LHD and was adamant you should keep yours LHD

    I look forward to seeing the progress of the refurbishment though. Did you get in touch with the guys at SEFAC?

    Regards
    Dave
     
  24. 134282

    134282 Four Time F1 World Champ
    BANNED

    Aug 3, 2002
    40,647
    California
    Full Name:
    Carbon McCoy
    #24 134282, Apr 29, 2008
    Congratulations, Mike...! I happen to like the way Marrone Metallic looks on the 365/400/412, but it will look stunning in red as well. How many miles are on the 365, and do you know the serial number of the broken down RHD 400i...?

    I looks like it was a great trip; those pictures are beautiful, I hope you have more.
     
  25. koisokok

    koisokok F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Dec 8, 2006
    12,196
    nine 0 two one 0
    #25 koisokok, Apr 29, 2008
    how come shes riding so low in the back?? do you have it strapped down?? i love to see the 300 mercedes towing a trailor!!! what a beautiful countryside..
     
Page 1 of 2

Share This Page