c.1978 Ferrari 400A Coupe

Tracing the lineage of the four-seater V12 Ferrari back from the ultra-desirable 612 Scaglietti, one finds the handsome 365/400 range of the 1970s. Known as the 365 GT4 2+2 at the time of its launch in 1972, the new model was powered by essentially the same quad-cam 4.4-litre V12 found in such classics as the Daytona and had chiselled good looks from design studio Pininfarina. The engine was enlarged to nearly 5-litres in 1976, resulting in the change in nomenclature to 400GT (for manual gearbox cars) or 400A for those cars fitted with the GM400 automatic transmission. Inside, the 400 was easily the most luxurious Ferrari yet, with power steering, air conditioning and electric windows complementing leather-clad seats, dashboard and door panels. Although some purists decried the concept of a Ferrari without a gear stick, the general concept of a more refined and relaxed grand tourer was embraced enthusiastically by a great many well-heeled customers and the model lived on - as the 412i - for the next decade or so. Popular it may have been, but the 400 was hardly mass produced - just 501 of this Italian thoroughbred were built in total, of which 354 were delivered with automatic transmissions.