Just in case you think your cars get no respect..

Great story, Dave. I think that it is only a matter of time before public opinion and the market recognizes the value of these fine cars. When restored but run of the mill Austin Healeys, Triumphs, Alfa spiders and other good, but commonplace, cars start selling for thousands more than our cars, you know that there has to be an adjustment sometime soon.

Yesterday at the local Caffeine and Carburetors show I saw a beautifully restored 1972 BMW 3.0 CSi coupe in my favorite color combination for those cars, Burgundy with a tan interior. It was beautiful and had been "upgraded" (depends on point of view) with a later 3.5 liter engine with modern computer controlled fuel injection. The owner told me that he was asking $110,000 for the car, which is an insane price for a 3.0 CSi.

Now, we both recognized that his asking price is way over the top as he quickly said "but I'm willing to take offers" but that is still way too much. I thought to myself "I really like those cars since owning a Bavaria back in the early 80's but I wouldn't have traded my 400i straight up for that car".

Maybe run of the mill older sports cars will come back down to earth in price but, with a depleting supply of them and restoration costs considered, it is more likely that 400i (and others in the series) prices will go up.

Some day!

 

History is going to be very kind to the 400.

It is aging very well.

 

You never know - maybe some day soon we won't be regarded as the "poor relations" of the Ferrari family.

It would please me no end if the rest of the world caught us up and we could genuinely say that we were there for the love of the model, not just the fact that they're appreciating assets.

But my god would I become a smug, sanctimonious "told you so" bastard !!

Anyone want to buy my 400 ? $250k and it's yours - NOT !!

 

Then again, maybe for $250k.......

 

By the way Dave, your car does look beautiful and is a credit to you.

 

Agreed!! Also probably the best color combo.

 

The 365 I recently purchased looks a similar colour - what colour is your car ?

 

It's the journos and gold chain set who seem to knock them. Brock Yates made it popular when he called them "frumpy".
Anyone seen Brock Yates lately? Who's frumpy now?

 

Thanks for sharing that with us Dave, & to hear that the times are a changin' is huge
Noticed your boot lid is not in alignment at the right rear corner, better get that looked at & you're missing those Ansa decals on your exhaust tips

LOL

If one wasn't floored when they 1st viewed this particular Ferrari, they don't have appreciation of automotive art. It's unfortunate that the majority of Ferraristas think of Ferrari as only a 2 seat sports car…& nothing more. Obviously, Enzo wasn't embarrassed to be seen in one.

This was LJK Setright's view of this rolling beauty:

"…it is clothed in what remains in my memory's retina one of the few most beautiful, and one of the two most elegant, bodies ever to lead the lead of Pininfarina's pencilling vision…The 400i is for those who desire the character and cachet of a Ferrari in a four-seat saloon of classical concept and modern capability."

 

He is suffering from Alzheimer's, according to his wife, who was on a recent episode of Chasing Classic Cars.

We may not agree with his opinion of our cars but he was a real talent in writing about cars and he lived large with the Cannonball Run series of highly unsanctioned coast to coast dashes.

One of my favorite lines of his was "Drag racing is like masturbation, a lot more fun to do than to watch"!

 

Hi John:
Thanks for giving the previous writer a "heads up" on Yates' whereabouts....He has been suffering from Alzheimers for about the past three years. I believe that prior to that he was one of the more colorful and informative auto writers of our time even though he could be quite provocative. I would suggest reading his book on Enzo...all the best, Marc

 

Yes, he was colorful, opinionated and entertaining. I believe that I first heard his quote about drag racing at one of his appearances several years ago at a Chowder lunch.

 

Sorry to hear he is ailing. I enjoyed his musings.

 

I'm rather ignorant on the 400, can you only get them in auto?

 

No problem, if you like these cars your welcome here !

This shape came in 4 variants:

1st. 365 GT4 2+2 - all manual. 6xTwin Weber Carbs
2nd. 400GT (Manual) or 400A (Auto) - auto's are more common. 6xTwin Weber Carbs
3rd. 400GTi (Manual) or 400Ai (Auto) - auto's are more common. Fuel Injection.
4th. 412GT (Manual) or 412A (Auto) - auto's are more common. Fuel Injection.

Each car has a different character and obviously the series became more sophisticated over time. Each owner has his preference and most people (but not all) tend to have a carb or FI leaning - I have a 365 GT4 and a 400A - both carbed cars. Figures show that the carbed cars were slightly more powerful although the FI cars pretty much caught up but in the real world I personally don't think this is relevant in the slightest - I just love the look of the carbs and the induction sound that they produce (along with the eye watering fumes if you back them into a garage).

All of these cars are fairly rare with general perception changing as the world is (slowly) starting to see these cars for what they are.

Plenty of advice will be offered if you're intending to buy one but be warned - they get under your skin and can become a bit of an obsession !!

Good luck whichever way you go.

 

Thanks!


You can lump me in the minority, I think these look stunning. I'm the type of person that doesn't care at all what others think of me, let alone a vehicle choice. I've sold off all "fun cars" and can't decide what I want next. One of these would be the perfect cruiser. I would have to lean towards a carb, being 25 I've always wanted a carb'd car but everything of my generation is obviously FI. I'm going to start looking into this, I'd imagine they don't draw much attention either which is nice. That's the big downside with previous cars I've had, I like to drive my cars a lot and answering the same questions gets taxing.


Sorry to derail the thread, stunning car.

 

Only 25 but you already have excellent taste !

They are quite discrete but car nuts know what they are and most appreciate them.

I'm sure that members of the forum will help with advice when you find a few cars and will provide a wealth of knowedge as to what to look for when buying.

Just bear in mind that at present values of these cars are low and the investment you make in one of them can go way above its value if you end up buying a cheap car in need of loads of work. Basically buy the best, most original car you can find, spend the money having it checked over before you buy and ask loads of questions on the forum to ensure you don't buy a lemon. Don't be tempted to buy cheap unless you know what you're getting in to.

These cars can be really rewarding to own and drive but a financial nightmare if they go bang or have body/trim issues.

Maybe starting a new thread about looking for a car you be a good start.