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The 400 series replaced the 365 GT4 2+2 model at the 1976 Paris Salon, and for the first time a model with automatic transmission became available on a Ferrari production car, the 400 Automatic. As with the
365 variant, the model number referred to the swept volume of a single cylinder, whilst the new engine had the same 81mm bore of its predecessor, the stroke was increased to 78mm to give a total capacity of 4823cc. The engine
of cars with the automatic gearbox had a factory type reference F 101 C 080. Two banks of three Weber side draught twin choke 38 DCOE 110-111 carburettors were fitted, with twin coil and rear of engine mounted distributors, to
produce a claimed 340bhp. The Borg Warner three speed plus reverse automatic gearbox was, perhaps surprisingly for purists, an immediate hit with Ferrari clients, and would account for approximately two thirds of the cars
manufactured for the remainder of the 400 into the 412 series production run. In Great Britain the figures were even higher, with the vast majority of purchasers favouring automatic transmission. The power was transmitted from
the automatic gearbox through a propeller shaft to a limited slip differential, and from there via half shafts to the independently suspended rear wheels with hydraulic self levelling units.
Although the chassis of the
400 series cars was structurally virtually identical to the preceding 365 GT4 2+2 models, there were nominal differences, which resulted in a new factory reference number F 101 CL 180 for this automatic transmission version.
Visually 400 series models can be differentiated from their predecessor by a small body colour spoiler on the lower edge of the nose, five bolt fixing for the five spoke alloy wheels instead of the single triple eared spinner,
paired circular rear light assemblies, and the disappearance of the "Cavallino Rampante" from the radiator grille. Inside the seat upholstery was made more sumptuous, and the stitch style and pattern altered, along
with minor changes to switchgear on the centre console, and a change of style for the door release catch.
The 400 Automatic continued in production until November 1979, during which time 355 examples were produced in
the chassis number range 19353 to 28261. As with the 365 GT4 2+2, they were built and fully trimmed at the Pininfarina works in Turin, and then shipped to the Ferrari factory in Maranello for the installation of the mechanical
components. Right or left hand drive steering, with power assistance as standard, was available, but as with the other twelve cylinder models of the period, no USA market version was made.
400 GT
Basically a more powerful version of the famous 365 GT4 2+2 reaching 4.8 litres, the 400 GT brought the development of the high performance, big displacement
front-engined 2+2 coupé to new levels. Greater attention was also paid to interior detailing and this was the very first Ferrari to be offered with an optional three-speed General Motors gearbox to meet the demands of the US
market.
The 400 GT replaced the 365 GT4 2+2 model, making its public debut at the 1976 Paris Salon. As with the 365 variant, the model number referred to the swept volume of a single cylinder, whilst the new engine
had the same 81mm bore of its predecessor, the stroke was increased to 78mm to give a total capacity of 4823cc. The engine had factory type reference F 101 C 000, and was fitted with two banks of three Weber twin choke side
draught 38 DCOE 110-111 M carburettors, with twin coil and rear of engine mounted distributors, to produce a claimed 340 bhp. The engine was mated to a five speed plus reverse gearbox, which transmitted power through a
propeller shaft to a limited slip differential, and from there via half shafts to the independently suspended rear wheels with hydraulic self levelling units.
Although the chassis of the 400 series cars were
structurally virtually identical to the preceding 365 GT4 2+2 model, there were nominal differences, that resulted in a new factory reference number, F 101 CL 100, for this manual gearbox vesrion. Visually the 400 GT model can
be differentiated from its predecessor by a small body colour spoiler on the lower edge of the nose, five bolt fixing for the five spoke alloy wheels instead of the single triple eared spinner, paired circular rear light
assemblies, and the disappearance of the "Cavallino Rampante" from the radiator grille. Inside the seat upholstery was made more sumptuous, and the stitch style and pattern altered, along with minor changes to
switchgear on the centre console, and a change of style for the door release catch.
The 400 GT continued in production until November 1979, during which time 147 examples were produced in the chassis number range 19353
to 28261. As with the 365 GT4 2+2, they were built and fully trimmed at the Pininfarina works in Turin, and then shipped to the Ferrari factory in Maranello for the installation of the mechanical components. Right or left hand
drive steering, with power assistance as standard, was available, but as with the other twelve cylinder models of the period, no USA market version was made.
Engine
Type...........................................front, longitudinal 60° V12
Bore/stroke...................................81 x 78 mm
Unitary displacement......................401.93 cc
Total displacement.........................4823.16 cc
Compression ratio..........................8.8 : 1
Maximum power.............................250 kW (340 hp)
Power per litre...............................70 hp/l
Valve actuation.............................twin overhead camshafts per bank, two valves per cylinder
Fuel feed......................................six Weber 38 DCOE carburettors
Ignition........................................single spark plug per cylinder, two coils
Lubrication....................................wet sump
Clutch.........................................torque converter (Automatic)
single-plate (GT)
Chassis
Frame..........................................tubular steel
Front suspension............................independent, unequal-length wishbones,
coil springs over telescopic shock absorbers, anti-roll bar
Rear suspension.............................self-levelling, independent, unequal-length wishbones,
coil springs over telescopic shock absorbers, anti-roll bar
Brakes.........................................discs
Transmission.................................3-speed automatic + reverse (400 Automatic)
5-speed + reverse (400 GT)
Steering.......................................power-assisted recirculating-ball
Fuel tank......................................capacity 120 litres
Front tyres...................................215/70 VR 15
Rear tyres....................................215/70 VR 15
Bodywork
Type...........................................2+2 coupé
Length........................................4810 mm
Width..........................................1796 mm
Height.........................................1310 mm
Wheelbase...................................2700 mm
Front track...................................1470 mm
Rear track....................................1500 mm
Weight........................................1700 kg (dry)
Performance
400 Automatic i (1979)
The 400 Automatic i succeeded the 400 Automatic in November 1979, the "i" suffix in the model name
standing for "injection", as a fuel injection system replaced the two banks of three side draught Weber carburettors. The fuel injection system used was Bosch K-Jetronic, and concurrently a single distributor
mounted at the right rear of the engine, with a Dinoplex electronic ignition system, replaced the earlier twin distributor layout. The adoption of fuel injection was to satisfy ever more stringent worldwide emission
legislation, and it dropped the claimed power output to 310bhp. The engine was a V12 unit with a bore and stroke of 81mm x 78mm giving a total capacity of 4823cc, with factory type reference number F 101 D 070,
coupled to a Borg Warner 3 speed automatic gearbox. This transmitted power through a propeller shaft to a limited slip differential, and from there via half shafts to the independently suspended rear wheels with
hydraulic self levelling units.
The 400 Automatic i was initially visually identical to its predecessor both internally and externally apart from
the addition of an "i" to the tail badge, although the tubular steel chassis type reference number became F 101 DL 170. In late 1982 some mechanical and cosmetic changes took place to the model. The engine
received revised profile camshafts and new exhaust manifolds, which upped the power output by about 5 bhp, and the hydraulic self levelling rear suspension changed to a gas filled system, coupled to new metric
rim wheels with lower profile tyres. Internally there were revisions to the upholstery stitching pattern, door panel design, and centre console layout. Outside the door mirrors became more elegant with small enamel
Ferrari shields on their casings, the width of the radiator grille was reduced to expose the driving lights, which became rectangular instead of square, the radiator exhaust air louvre in the bonnet became body
colour, and high intensity fog lights were set into the rear bumper.
As with the previous models in the 400 series, the fully trimmed bodies were delivered by Pininfarina to Ferrari
to fit the mechanical components. Right or left hand drive steering, with power assistance as standard, was available, but as with the other twelve cylinder models of the period, no USA market version was available.
The model remained in production until 1985, during which time 883 examples were constructed in the chassis number range 27987 to 55523.
Performance
Top speed.............240 km/h
Acceleration
0-400 m................16.4 sec
0-1000 m..............29.2 sec
400 GTi (1979)
The 400 GTi succeeded the 400 GT in November 1979, As with the previous models in the 400 series, the
fully trimmed bodies were delivered by Pininfarina to Ferrari to fit the mechanical components. Right or left hand drive steering, with power assistance as standard, was available, but as with the other twelve cylinder
models of the period, no USA market version was available. The model remained in production until 1985, during which time 422 examples were constructed in the chassis number range 26667 to 55421.
Performance
Top speed.............245 km/h
Acceleration
0-400 m................15.8 sec
0-1000 m..............27.9 sec
< 1970's
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