Considered one of the most awkward Ferraris, the Ferrari 412 was first unveiled in 1985 as an updated version of the Ferrari 400 with design cues precisely similar to the Ferrari 365. The three cars look different from other Ferraris produced in the same era, and even some hardcore enthusiasts wouldn't identify any of them at first glance since they don't take after any Ferrari produced during the 1980s, which saw Ferrari make some of their best cars. Some sources ridicule the Ferrari 412, saying that Ferrari had built something that looks like a Lotus Espirit with a hangover, and Jeremy Clarkson described it as awful in every way. Top Gear's Crap Cars list had the Ferrari 412 at the 18th spot of the crappiest cars in Britain. However, despite the comedic criticism, the Ferrari 412 is no less a Ferrari like its predecessors and successors. Elton John wouldn't have bought one if it was as bad as everyone said it was! Hidden underneath the slightly twisted design, the Ferrari 412 houses a 340 horsepower engine, so it performs better than it looks, something that was a selling point for a considerable percentage of buyers who bought it. Additionally, its four-seat cabin capacity and posh interior were significant selling points for the Ferrari 412 as buyers chased the allure of a spacious interior, opulent comfort, and practicality. It was the second cheapest Ferrari, selling for slightly less than the least expensive Mondial TB during production. Today, the Ferrari 412's market value is estimated to be around $55,000, but rare specs such as the Ferrari 412i and low mileage units have the potential to sell for more, with some even hitting six-figure prices.
The Ferrari 412 was the fourth and the last car of Ferrari 2+2 grand tourers produced between 1972 and 1989. It entered production in 1985, donning a design similar to the Ferrari 365 GT4 2+2 and Ferrari 400 with minimal design changes as penned down by Pininfarina. Its controversial design makes it quite hard to believe that the Ferrari 412 was designed and built by the world-renowned coachbuilder. Pininfarina had designed cars for Ferraris since the 1950s, but never once was their work doubted as it was in the Ferrari 412 and its predecessors. The design, known as the three-box design, preceded the fastback design used on the Ferrari 365 GTC, which was adopted for the Ferrari 412's body sitting on a lengthened tubular steel chassis to accommodate the rear seats. All opening body panels except the doors were made from aluminum to reduce weight and improve weight distribution, while fixed body panels were made from steel. However, shifts during production saw some units getting entire steel bodies, with steel being used to construct all body panels except the doors. Fiberglass construction was mainly used on race cars. Still, through Pininfarina, Ferrari had begun implementing it in their road cars, in this case, the Ferrari 412, which, like its predecessors, got fiberglass doors. The Ferrari 412 chassis was outfitted at Pininfarina's works in Turin before being shipped out to Ferrari's plant in Modena, Italy, where Ferrari engineers would fit all 576 examples with powertrain and drivetrain mechanical assemblies.
Under the hood, the Ferrari 412 has a 4.9-liter V12 engine with Bosch electronic fuel injection staying true to Ferrari Enzo's goal of making all Ferraris with V12 engines. It's a bored version of the 4.8-liter V12 used in the Ferrari 400 bored to 1 mm, hence the slight increase in displacement. The increase in displacement enabled the engine in the Ferrari 412 to make slightly more power, rated at 340 horsepower, compared to the Ferrari 400's 311 horsepower. All power is sent to the rear wheels via a 5-speed manual or 3-speed automatic transmission. Of the 576 examples produced, 270 Ferrari 412s were made with 5-speed manual transmissions, while 306 had 3-speed automatic transmissions. Automatic transmissions were becoming increasingly common, especially for grand tourers, due to their ease of driving. However, drivers with an insatiable appetite for speed and excitement went for the manual transmission option, giving them better driving engagement and the Ferrari 412 better acceleration and a higher top speed. The weight difference between a Ferrari 412 with a manual transmission and one with an automatic transmission is dismissible, weighing 3,979 pounds and 3,990 pounds, respectively. However, the acceleration difference between the two is tremendous. Units with the 5-speed manual transmission can do 0-60 mph in 6.7 seconds and achieve a top speed of 155 mph. On the other hand, Ferrari 412s with an automatic transmission reach 60 mph from a standstill in 8.3 seconds and reach a maximum top speed of 152 mph in top gear. Save the manuals!
Inside the Ferrari 412, Ferrari took a more modern approach when piecing together the interior while retaining classic Ferrari elements and luxury touches, giving the cabin an immersive elegance. All seats were covered in full leather, extending to the door cars and the entire center console moving up to the dashboard. Ferrari gave buyers a myriad of color leather options, some of them, such as various shades of red and blue, being too colorful for 1985. The Ferrari 412 was designed to be a grand touring car, and the seats were designed around a similar concept. They have more padding than you could find in a Ferrari 308's seats, centered around comfort and with removable headrests. The rear seats, although not comfortable for tall and well-bodied passengers due to insufficient legroom and headroom, provided immense comfort; like the front seats, they are amply padded. On the center console, you get the classic Ferrari center console organization but with an added touch of modernity due to the electronic controls surrounding the transmission lever or shifter in the case of a manual transmission. A dual-channel radio sits beneath three auxiliary gauges underneath triple vents, complementing a single vent on the driver's and passenger's sides. The dashboard is clutter-free; everything the driver needs, including an ashtray, is on the instrument cluster or ergonomically placed on the center console for easier reach.
The Ferrari 412 features Pininfarina's final evolution design of the Ferrari 2+2 series that had started with the Ferrari 365 2+2, which debuted with the design at the Paris Motor Show in 1972. Pininfarina refined the design without altering it much, so the Ferrari 412 looks similar to the Ferrari 365 2+2 and the Ferrari 400. The changes implemented included a raised trunk line to increase luggage capacity and modernization and deleting the chrome and black plastic exterior trims. The window trims were changed from chrome to black, and the bumpers were body-colored, seamlessly blending with the Ferrari 412's overall design and providing a more cohesive and appealing look. Additionally, Ferrari revised the wheel design as the wheels on the Ferrari 412 look slightly different with rounder spokes compared to the wheels used on the Ferrari 400. At the front, the Ferrari 412 has a deeper spoiler curving outwards from the bumper, believed to enhance aerodynamics, but it also enhances the front end's visual appeal. Like most Ferraris produced in the 1980s, pop-up headlights are embedded into the hood, accompanied by auxiliary headlights mounted flush into the hood. The rear end features a set of similarly sized turn signals and tail lights on each end, which match the quad-tip exhausts integrated into the rear valance.
As technology advanced, manufacturers started using what engineers and third-party companies had to offer. The Ferrari 412 was the first Ferrari to have ABS software designed by Bosch installed as a standard feature. The ABS software improved vehicle control and safety by enhancing stability and traction in varied driving surface conditions. It also instilled confidence in drivers, allowing them to push the car to its limits without worrying about how badly it would brake at high speeds or during emergency braking. The 4.9-liter V12 engine in the Ferrari 412 is among the few older Ferrari V12s that used wet sump lubrication, providing better cooling and heat dissipation than dry sump lubrication. It also makes servicing more manageable and increases engine durability, which is vital for classic cars. Lastly, the automatic transmission used in the Ferrari 412 had a torque converter instead of a clutch, and the manual transmission had a twin plate clutch. The torque converter has several advantages, but most notably, it offers smoother acceleration and better torque delivery, which is advantageous to the Ferrari 412 as it weighs almost 4,000 pounds. On the other hand, the twin plate clutch used in the manual transmission can handle power from the engine better than a single plate clutch and offers consistent power delivery to the driving wheels, which is part of the reason why a Ferrari 412 with a manual transmission accelerated quicker than one with an automatic transmission.
The Ferrari 412 might not be remotely near the most sought-after classic Ferraris, but owning and experiencing one wouldn't be as bad as it seems. Due to its low demand, prices rarely increase, so the chance of finding one listed below market value, which is estimated at $50,000, is relatively easy. Examples with manual transmissions are likely to sell for slightly higher than Ferrari 412s with an automatic transmission. If you'd like to buy a Ferrari 412, you might find one listed on Exotic Car Trader, so ensure you watch out for our Ferrari listings. Also, we list all sorts of classic cars, so give us a call if any of Exotic Car Trader's classic car listings entice you.
The Ferrari 412 may have enjoyed little acclaim for its design, often regarded as an awkward deviation from the classic Ferrari aesthetics of its time. Today, it remains one of the awkwardly unique Ferraris, and its market value renders it a possible purchase for anyone curious enough to discover the reason behind its mockery by some notable journalists and magazines. Exotic Car Trader creates an exclusive and safe way of buying and selling cars, eliminating the daunting experiences of private selling for buyers and sellers. Every vehicle listed on Exotic Car Trader goes through a private seller verification process, ensuring legitimacy for our buyers. Also, Exotic Car Trader's car buying process is well outlined, with all fees and packages providing our buyers with a seamless and inclusive experience. We can handle the escrow of funds at no additional cost to the buyer and seller, and we also provide trade-in and financing options for buyers. For transaction safety, our Transactions Team is world-class and equipped with industry fraud detection tools to ensure a safe and secure transaction. These are just some of the benefits you enjoy when buying or selling on Exotic Car Trader. Contact us for listing services or to buy a car on Exotic Car Trader today! Adding a distinctive note to Ferrari's history, the Ferrari 412 remains a unique model mainly identified by its unconventional looks. But it still holds to Ferrari's legacy, boasting a V12 engine as Ferrari Enzo intended his cars to be.
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