In the height of the 1970s, Ferrari was arguably best known for its road-going sports cars, with contemporary models including the 308 or 512 BB. However, the famous Italian marque had found a niche with its grand tourer platform, which repurposed the high-powered engines from sports car stablemates into luxurious and supremely comfortable models, first with the Ferrari 365 GT4 2+2, later the 400, and lastly with the 412.

The 400 Automatic and 400 GT were unveiled at the 1976 Paris Motor Show as the replacement for the outgoing 365 GT4 2+2. The bodies were manufactured by Pininfarina at the coachmaker’s Turin factory, and were constructed from steel with a fiberglass floor. The 400 GT featured an uprated 4.8-liter, V-12 “Colombo” engine backed by a five-speed manual gearbox, while the 400 Automatic was the first Ferrari to be offered with a three-speed Borg Warner automatic gearbox.

In both configurations the 400s were fueled by six 38 DCOE 110-111/M Weber carburetors, specifically developed for the 4.8-liter engine. With output rated at 340 horsepower, the 400s were capable of achieving 60 mph in just over seven seconds, a respectable time for the period. The 400 was produced at the Modena factory from 1976 through 1979, during which time 502 total examples were produced (both GT and Automatic).

Sold new in Italy, this 1977 Ferrari 400 Automatic is finished in the attractive shade of Rosso Nearco. It is equipped with a Vitaloni Tornado driver’s sideview mirror, ANSA exhaust tips, and rides on Cromodora wheels. The interior is trimmed in black leather with red seat and door card inserts, red carpet, and a white leather-trimmed headliner. Inside, the driver is treated with a leather-wrapped Momo steering wheel, a Kenwood radio unit with cassette, power windows, air conditioning, and seating for four. Later imported to the United States, the Ferrari was purchased by Walter Medlin in September of 2003. The odometer displays 85,316 kilometers (~53,013 miles) at time of cataloging, having covered just 20 kilometers since its acquisition. Stored for many years, this example will require mechanical sorting prior to use.

One of just 355 automatic transmission-equipped examples produced and now offered from the Lost & Found Collection, this nicely equipped 400 Automatic, finished in the attractive shade of Rosso Nearco, is sure to impress once fully sorted.