Aptly labelled the “gentleman’s express” by contemporary press, the Ferrari 400 catered to effortless, high-speed, transcontinental touring with its stellar V-12 engine and luxuriously appointed interior. Its elegant styling, penned by Pininfarina’s Leonardo Fioravanti, carried over from the outgoing 365 GT4 2+2 with only subtle changes. Its distinctive, period-chic, “three box” design offered tremendous visibility, legroom, and boot space. Power steering, dual-zone climate control, and a self-levelling rear suspension were all standard equipment, while the final adaptation of the legendary “Colombo” V-12 engine powered a Ferrari for the last time in the 400 series.

Unveiled at the 1976 Paris Motor Show, the 400 came in two variants, both of which featured a more powerful V-12 engine than its predecessor, enlarged to 4.8 litres. The 400 came with a five-speed manual transmission; the 400 Automatic featured a heavy duty, GM-sourced, three-speed Turbo Hydramatic, the first such transmission offered in a Ferrari. Starting in 1979, Ferrari replaced the 400’s carburettors with Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection to comply with US emissions standards, and the model was rechristened 400i.

The shift to fuel injection resulted in a sacrifice of 30 horsepower, but the thundering V-12 was still good for 310 horsepower and a top speed just shy of 150 mph—ideal for effortlessly delivering cross-continental journeys in seamless comfort and style as its manufacturer intended. The automatic version of the 400i was the more popular choice among customers, with 883 units made compared to the five-speed manual’s 422.

The 400i offered for sale here was produced in 1979, configured in right-hand drive and delivered through Maranello Concessionaires Orient Ltd of Hong Kong. The Ferrari was styled in Blu Ribot paintwork over a Pelle Sabbia interior; a colour combination it retains to this day. Bidders should note that after a period of prolonged storage, this 400i requires recommissioning or restoration to return to a good cosmetic and running condition. With its matching-numbers engine and timeless styling, this attractive 400i will no doubt appeal as a tempting project for Ferrari fans and grand tourer enthusiasts alike.