One-of-24 manual Ferrari 412 for sale

When Ferrari announced the Purosangue back in 2022, I’ll admit that I wasn’t quite as outraged at the prospect of the Prancing Horse producing a not-SUV as many others were. Of course, there’s the sheer curiosity of seeing whether Ferrari, which arguably hasn’t missed a beat in years, can convincingly pull off a high-riding, four-door V12 supercar (and going off Matt’s recent review of the Purosangue, it absolutely has). But from a purely ‘purist’ viewpoint, Enzo Ferrari only got into the road car business to help fund the Scuderia racing team. He was simply giving customers what they were willing to spend their hard earned on, just as Ferrari is doing now with the Purosangue.

Anyhoo, this obviously isn’t Ferrari’s newest V12 GT, but it was as controversial in the 20th century as the Purosangue has been this side of the millennium. Launched in 1972, the 365 GT4 2+2 was a radical departure from the ultra-sleek silhouettes of its predecessors. Even the 365 GTB/4, which itself introduced a bold new design language three years prior, seemed relatively conventional compared to the boxy, wedgy look that Pininfarina’s Leonardo Fioravanti had sketched for Ferrari’s new grand tourer. The reception was, well, mixed. The angular design wasn’t nearly as appealing as Ferrari’s previous offerings, meaning the GT4, along with the follow up 400 and 412, have long lingered near the bottom of desirability pile.

Calling it pretty may be a bit of a stretch, but there’s no denying the GT4 – or 412 that you see here – lacks presence. The outstretched bonnet, rakish windscreen and tapered rear end produces a razor sharp side profile, while the interior marked a giant leap forward over its predecessor and was much more driver focused. It was pretty hi-tech, too, with self-levelling rear suspension, automatic air conditioning and electric windows. So, no, isn’t one of Ferrari or Pininfarina’s more beautiful creations, but it did make a mighty fine GT. It’s even said that it was one of Enzo’s favourite road cars – which is a big deal for a man who rarely sampled his wares.

The formula was refined in 1976 with the 400, the first Ferrari to be offered as an automatic, while the 400i saw power dip to 310hp owing to tougher emission tests, though an update in 1982 unlocked an extra 5hp courtesy of a new exhaust manifold and reworked camshafts. The 412 like the one we have here was the runout model, arriving 13 years after the GT4’s release. Displacement increased from 4.8 to 4.9-litres, raising power back to a GT4-matching 340hp, while another Ferrari first came with standard anti-lock brakes. Sadly, the upgrades weren’t enough to elevate sales: just 576 examples were produced, with only 82 believed to have been made in right-hand drive.

Fewer still were manual, with the ad for this 412 claiming that only 24 right-hookers were fitted with the five-speed cog swapper. This, thankfully, is one of them, finished in the ultimate Ferrari combo of red over a light tan interior. Being a 1988 example means it’s one of the last of the line, too, with production ending a year later and, with it, a hiatus on 2+2 V12 Ferraris until the arrival of the 456 in the early 1990s.

The price? You’ll need to give the seller a ring for that, but bear in mind that it’s a relatively low-mile car (a little over 56,000 miles on the clock) with an extensive history file and, judging by the pictures, is in decent nick inside and out. For reference, this 1986 example can be had for £69,995, and while it too seems to be in excellent condition (and looks splendid in metallic blue), it’s usually best to set aside a bit more for a Rosso car. Strong money for a car that could be had for around half the price a few years ago, which just goes to show that time has been kind to the 412. Wonder if we’ll be saying the same about in Purosangue in 40 years time…