I'm considering adding a 1989 412 GT (manual) to my collection of 1980s Ferraris. I have always liked the angular look of the car - it's very elegant with a unique sophistication. However, I am not too familiar with ownership, so was wondering if anyone had any advice, tips or recommendations for buying and owning - what commonly goes wrong, where are the pitfalls and pleasures? Thanks.
My experience has been a pretty happy one. The car parallels the 3x8 series in some ways. It's basic format was around for a long time, starting in 1973 with the 365. It got fuel injection and became easier to live with but a bit strangled on power with the 400i and the 412 picked the power back up while maintaining a "relative" ease of ownership. I think the car needs to be driven and suffers more than the eight cylinder cars from sitting. There are no belts, so that's an improvement. On my car the a/c needed substantial work prior to my ownership, which seems to be one common era of need. The rear self leveling shocks on all of these cars eventually fail and, according to the consensus on this site, needs to be ditched in favor of adjustable konis (about $1,200). The tires are Michelin TRX's, which were great in their day but are essentially just old tires now. The rims are metric so your choice is replace with original at like $250 or more a piece or go to aftermarket rims. The engines seem pretty much bullet proof, but I'd check just to be sure. The 5 speed's a plus, but check the synchros.
Try $420 each for the correct size TRX's. The best solution while keeping the car "correct" is to pick up a set of wheels from a series 1 car. The series 1 cars were equiped with 15" wheels. TRX's didn't start until the series 2. Figure $2k. Now that I've said that I don't know if, because of ABS, the 365/400/400i wheels and 412 wheels are the same.
I stand corrected on the TRX's and I'm pretty sure the 400 wheels won't bolt on because of the ABS, which is good but for forcing you to spend a fortune on tires. The 348 wheels will fit but, I think, they look like crap. One thing I forgot to mention, which is huge, is that the original exhaust system is pos (plain old steel) and rusts out. The owm original system is essentially unobtainable and will rust out anyway. Stebro markets a complete stainless steel system, but it's like $5,000, i.e., like 15% of the entire value of the car. So, I'd buy one that's had the exhaust replaced with some form of stainless exhaust.
+1 Virtually every 400/400i/412 I looked at either needed the exhaust system replaced, or just had it done. I've never seen one with the OE system in good shape. I have straight stainless flowing back to 2 resonators in the rear on mine. It roars yet is quite quiet inside.
Somewhere around the house I have a 412 manual that if I remember correctly, states/implies that the later 412s(which would include the poster's choice) either came with Goodyear non-TRX wheels/tires or could be ordered with these. So, I'd seek clarification on mandatory TRX requirements on a late 412.
In the owners manual for my 412, 1988 model, it's stated that there are two differtent tire combinations, either TRX, or Goodyear Eagle 245/55 VR 16.
That's what I recall from the 412 owners manual I have. Be sure you check for the exact size/type of wheel, though, as the I don't think you wanna try mounting Goodyears on a TRX wheel Don't recall if the wheel(s) are the same as on either a 328 or Mondial...offset, etc.
