400GT Convertible

Hi all,
I'm a newcomer to Ferrari, just bought a '77 400GT Convertible #20093.
Now red, originally blue. Think its a UK car

Anyway does anyone know anything about the history? Was it originally a coupé and converted? Any info really would be appreciated.

Thanks
Niall

 

Hi Niall,

Welcome aboard!

While I cannot tell you your car's history, I can tell you that your car started life as a coupe - they all did.

Regards,

Art S.

 

Congratulations. i'm sure i speak for all of us when i say that pitures of your car would be very interesting to see. the conversions i have seen pictures of look interesting and the shape of the 400 lends itself well enough to the concept. the 400 is a great car with an outstanding motor and i'm sure you'll love it. let's hear some more details...oh ya, some pics would be interesting to see.

brett

 

Congrats on the 400 and your first Ferrarichat post. A profile with more than nothing would be nice. Clearly you can update Ferraris Owned

Al

 

nice to have another owner on board. enjoy your ferrari to the fullest. i own two(one sick)

 

H i all
I'll get my profile updated too
Niall
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Big N..Congrats on your new beauty...I'll be in London on Sept.10th for a few days..If you would like to, I'd love to meet with you..and of course see your new Ferrari..I'm on my way to the Italian GP on Sept 15..maybe we can trade nuances about our 400i's..I've owned mine for 10 years or so and have some hopefully useful thoughts..PM me if you are interested..Jacques

 

i like it. i'm part of the minority that thinks red 'works' on this series. it looks like the exhaust center sections are stainless, which would be great.
...one small thing, would it be possible to redye the top ? the overall effect of having the top jet black would make the car look perfect, IMVHO, but maybe the pictures don't do it any favours. has does the top look in person ?

i think you're going to love it, Niall. first Ferrari ? first 12 ?

 

Hi Guys,
Yep, first Ferrari, first V12 (have a '71 Silver Shadow already so used to older stuff).

Top looks ok in the flesh but will probably dye it black, might re-do or replace headliner etc...
Collecting on Saturday I hope so will keep you updated.

Sorry jacques, won't be able to meet in London, I'm living in Dublin, Ireland.

Can't find how to update my profile, just going in circles...

Will post some more pics but if anyone has ANY history let me know, please...

 

If the motor is in good shape, you've got a really good deal there! It's hard to wrong with a Ferrari V12 convertible.

Aidan

 

Well guys I collected my new baby on Friday night drove it home... LOVED IT, seating position, atmosphere, power, sounds everythying was great...
Guy I bought it off told me to keep it garaged as the convertible top has small gaps to the window frames, nothing major.
Saturday, drove around roof down, sun shining, pure class. In the afternoon did a few tidy up jobs and then... Three hours of torrential rain, turns out the leak is coming from the top of the front screen. Of course I managed to get caught out on the road, drowned... Then as the water got in the relays got wet and the wipers stopped.
Sat on the side of the road, saturated, "blind" and totally broken hearted.
Have to say though, when the rain stopped and I got moving, I was smiling again, just sounds so fabulous.
Did manage to break the interior door handle in disgust, so if someone can tell me the best place to get a new one I'd really appreciate it. May need a few other bits too possibly headlight motors but probably relays.
Had a few issues when I first got the RR Shadow so I was expecting some troubles...
Just looking for some encouragement really..... Help

 

Sorry to hear about the drowning incident but hopefully that is a problem that can be fixed without too much trouble. The first thing that I would recommend for any 400 series car that is showing some electrical gremlins is to go through the relays and fuses to make sure that all of the contacts are clean and tight. Clean the contacts and put on some contact cleaner spray, such as Stabilant, to ensure good clean connections. Replace all the fuses, even though they look good. You will be surprised how often a fuse that looks good just doesn't seem to have the conductivity of a new fuse and replacing it cleans up some issues.

Can't help on the door handle issue, but good luck with the rest of your work. The car looks fabulous!

John

 

On your door handle, try eurospares. They're in the UK and have several cars of this series that they've been breaking recently.

 

Congrats: WHAT???? no engine/interior pics

 

Did some home work and hopefully its just a windscreen seal (please, please, please) probably perished. Once its not a rotten frame I'm happy enough and I think thats unlikely, rest of the car looks very solid.
Got a good used door handle from Eurospares STG 80.00, bit pricey but happy to get one at all really.

Once I get the leak sorted I'll start on the rest of the car.
Pop-up light are just lights, wipers work intermittently etc, more than likely fuse-board and relays from what I read on F-Chat. All the rain did them no good anyway.
Interior needs a full re-trim. I used to run a Mazda dealership here in Dublin (now with Mazda IRL) so very familiar with full leather re-trims. Dealt alot with Cartronics (ICE & Leather) in Dublin and had nothing but top quality work from them for over 10 years. Gerry there has an E-Type and has recovered the seats etc. Really looks great so I'll be dropping it into them for seats, dash, door cards, everything re-furbed.

Still getting record rainfall here so having sleepless nights haunted by that glorious V12

Will post pics as it develops

Niall

 

Good news, well good-ish...
Windscreen seal has perished, no real rust issue woo hoo.

Now next question, Can the windscreen be removed, the old sealant removed and the screen re-bonded to the frame?
If anyone's tried this I'd love a bit of advice.

Thanks for all your input so far
Niall

 

Everything about running a 400 is expensive.

You might just want to Leatherique the interior - it doesn't look too bad from the pics on colmlindsay.co.uk.

The vents on the dash are facing the screen rather than the passengers - weird!

I'll tell my sister to keep an eye out for your car - she lives in Blackrock.

Aidan

 

The short answer to that is yes, the longer answer is don't even think about it unless its absolutely 100% necessary. If it cracks in the process you're looking at serious Punts (Euros) to find a replacement...you'll find one but the seller will command the price and no buyer ever likes being in that situation!
If you do have to remove it then find a guy with age and experience on his shoulders as well as the gift of patience in getting that all-important length of piano wire inserted into the right groove and ever-so-gently slipped around the perimeter of the glass.
Don't expect him to guarantee success, it will be at your own risk....but if you pick your man well you should be able to hoist a glass of Guinness later and drink to his continued good health with a grateful smile on your face !

Good luck !

Mike

 

Wow Mike how did you know about my love for Guinness????
Really thanks for your advice, I know its goint to be a nail biting situation. Unfortunately the seal has to bechanged, its like visiting the Amazon in monsoon season but without getting out of the car (we're having record rainfall her for "summer". The worst since Hurricane Charlie)
Second best option is a screen from Eurospares along with all the ancillary items. Not a great option.
Some small relief that at least can be done albeit by the ideal man.

PS Aidan, is your sister hot? lol

 

Niall

Her 6'4" husband thinks so!

Aidan

 

Surprise, surprise...

Windscreen smashed while tring to take it out....

Living in Ireland, where's the best place to source a screen?
Thanks
Niall

 

BAWAHAHAHA too funny

This is VERY bad news! They can't be found in the states for less than $3,000 to $4,000. Let us know what you find one for "across the pond"

 

Seriously bad news, I'm sorry to hear that Niall. What happened, at what stage did it break/crack ?

Mike

 

Well guys,
Things aren't turning out too bad.
Fair play to Eurospares, STG £495 for the front screen (green tint in stock), shipping to Ireland is STG £190 inc crate etc. Not too bad really.

Thanks fo rthe laugh Dave, I hope Aidan didn't take any offence, was only joking.

Things seem to be shaping up nicely, onc ethe screen is in I'll be back on the road, and compiling a new list, no doubt.
Still, can't wait for that V12 rumble.

Thanks for all the help again.
Niall

 

Of course I didn't take offence!!

Must be the luck of the Irish with your windscreen - incredibly fortunate.

Aidan