1983 Ferrari 400i 5-Speed
For a while, these were among the least expensive used Ferrari for sale. They are often found in average shape with little to no maintenance history. They are front-engine and frequently have automatic transmissions, lessening their value in the eyes of exotic sports car collectors. Lately, I think that is starting to change. Not many were built, even fewer made it here thanks to the grey market, and the stark and angular shape is starting to grow on Pininfarina aficionados and general enthusiasts alike.
COTC likes these. They are really off-putting at first, especially the squinty turn indicators and weirdly tapered nose. You get the feeling Ferrari was intentionally trying to make it ugly because they knew it would not be perceived in the same way as their rear-engine sports cars. But beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and once one becomes comfortable with the concept of a more "everday" Ferrari, the styling of the 400 is quite striking and makes startlingly brilliant sense. In some ways, it allowed Pininfarina to breath new design language into Ferrari, even though the themes were mostly never repeated again. And the fact is, the proportions are handsome, the greenhouse large and inviting, the stance appropriate for a two-door coupe with rear seats.
This particular example is being offered up by the owner who says the the vehicle has been in California all its life, has no rust and has been given a quality repaint. Mechanically, they list a ton of expensive work done and say it has a large history file and the vehicle now runs and drives "perfectly".Legally, the say it has a California title and is now in New York.
These were never officially sold in the U.S., and while a couple examples are usually always on the market, very few have the infinitely more desirable manual transmission.
Available here on ebay in Rochester, New York with bidding at $15k, reserve not met, and a Buy-It-Now of $30k.
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