Ferrari 400i

[MarKoBrow]

My thoughts have been wandering a lot lately towards the 400i. I would like to purchase one and convert it to a spyder. I have always had a soft spot for these cars and think it might make a nice project. Any thoughts good or bad about the car itself?
oh here's a picture

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Can you light $100 bills on fire without flinching?

If so, it does sound like a cool project.

[MarKoBrow]

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

Can you light $100 bills on fire without flinching?

If so, it does sound like a cool project.

Explain? I found a one owner car that is in great shape, it's not far from here and I know the dealership that services it.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Don't get me wrong - they're extremely cool cars and there aren't a lot of them around. However if there are two words in the English language that should strike fear into anyone's accountant, they're "Ferrari" and "project".

[Jim Richards]

Is there a cookbook for making the spyder conversion? Will the body lose a significant amount of rigidity? I think this looks like a cool project and I'm sure you'd enjoy having a family Ferrari that you can drive with the top down.

edit: Just saw this article: http://old.sportscarmarket.com/Profiles/2004/July/Ferrari/

[MarKoBrow]

Originally Posted by Jim Richards

Is there a cookbook for making the spyder conversion? Will the body lose a significant amount of rigidity? I think this looks like a cool project and I'm sure you'd enjoy having a family Ferrari that you can drive with the top down.

edit: Just saw this article: 1983 Ferrari 400i Spyder Conversion | Reviews and Buyer's Guides | Sports Car Market - July 2004 issue

I am not sure there is a "cookbook" but I have a wonderful artisan who is restoring a bmw 507 for me, I am very confident that the project can be engineered correctly and he can make it happen.

[Embraer]

there were a couple of 400 spyder conversions on ebay just last week, and they looked nice.

I almost bought the Daft Punk 400i back in April. Still kicking myself.

[Tervuren]

What is wrong with a Mondial?

Get a 3.4T if you wanted a Spyder...

[jyl]

I admire the styling of that car. Its like a crisp Armani suit. Since the model is rather unloved and not worth much anyway, and you're going to devalue it more with a spyder conversion, perhaps go a step further and swap the motor (or be prepared to do so)? Then you won't have the problem of the next major service costing half of the car's value.

[Zeke]

I think the V12 is the only reason to own this car. Is the one FS with the Chebby auto trans? That might be a deal breaker for me. But, then again, there are places that can go thru those trannys and make them shift like a new paddle shifter. It's only money.

[mossguy]

Originally Posted by jyl

I admire the styling of that car. Its like a crisp Armani suit. Since the model is rather unloved and not worth much anyway, and you're going to devalue it more with a spyder conversion, perhaps go a step further and swap the motor (or be prepared to do so)? Then you won't have the problem of the next major service costing half of the car's value.

This doesn't sound like it would be a problem to Mark, based on his postings here.

[Dottore]

I've always really liked the clean and focused look of these cars, and suspect it would look sensational in spyder form. So I think this is a fine idea.

[MarKoBrow]

Originally Posted by jyl

I admire the styling of that car. Its like a crisp Armani suit. Since the model is rather unloved and not worth much anyway, and you're going to devalue it more with a spyder conversion, perhaps go a step further and swap the motor (or be prepared to do so)? Then you won't have the problem of the next major service costing half of the car's value.

Hey Jyl,

The only reason why I am buying the car is because I like the V12 engine, I can justify doing a spyder conversion but not an engine swap. I might also add that the conversion should add considerably to the level of enjoyment I might get from the car and isn't that the point anyway??

[Tervuren]

Originally Posted by MarKoBrow

Hey Jyl,

The only reason why I am buying the car is because I like the V12 engine, I can justify doing a spyder conversion but not an engine swap. I might also add that the conversion should add considerably to the level of enjoyment I might get from the car and isn't that the point anyway??

If you where really wanting to spend some coin on a V12 powered spyder, why not make a car from scratch resembling a 275NART or a LWB California? It'd be a much sportier car to drive. I just can't see the 400i being a fun car to drive after taking the roof off, I could be wrong...

I rescind my comment about just get a Mondial now that I know its the V12 you are after. Sadly, not a lot of options there that aren't really expensive(365GTS/4, Ferrari F50, 550 Barchetta?)

[MarKoBrow]

Originally Posted by Tervuren

What is wrong with a Mondial?

Get a 3.4T if you wanted a Spyder...

Having owned both the Mondial and the 328 in the past the answer is simple they have no real leg room, I am 6'5 and when I was young and foolish I thought it was cool to drive these cars , never mind the fact that I looked like an idiot getting in and out of them even with the roofs off. My 360 has a longer wheelbase therefore more legroom for those of us that are a little taller than others

[126coupe]

Why butcher a one owner car and kill the value?

[MarKoBrow]

Originally Posted by Tervuren

If you where really wanting to spend some coin on a V12 powered spyder, why not make a car from scratch resembling a 275NART or a LWB California? It'd be a much sportier car to drive. I just can't see the 400i being a fun car to drive after taking the roof off, I could be wrong...

I rescind my comment about just get a Mondial now that I know its the V12 you are after. Sadly, not a lot of options there that aren't really expensive(365GTS/4, Ferrari F50, 550 Barchetta?)

I kind of like the Pinifarina design, it's neat and uncomplicated

[MarKoBrow]

Originally Posted by 126coupe

Why butcher a one owner car and kill the value?

What value?

[Zeke]

I would come out of retirement AFA as welding and fabricating to do this.

[tcar]

1983 400i Auto Convertible Chassis 45359 on Ebay - FerrariChat.com