For much of its early history, Ferrari was closely associated with powerful engines and manual transmissions that required drivers to select every gear themselves. This approach reflected the company's motorsport background, where direct mechanical control was considered an important part of the driving experience. However, Ferrari eventually recognised that some customers wanted the performance of a twelve-cylinder grand tourer without the demands of a conventional manual gearbox.
The result was the Ferrari 400 Automatic, introduced in 1976 as the first series-production Ferrari available with an automatic transmission. Although the decision initially appeared unusual for a manufacturer with such strong racing traditions, the model became an important part of Ferrari's grand touring range.
Photography: Bonhams Cars, Tom Hartley Jnr, Ferrari
Ferrari before automatics
During the 1950s and 1960s, Ferrari developed a reputation for producing high-performance cars that demanded considerable involvement from their drivers. Models such as the 250 GTO, 275 GTB and 365 GTB/4 used manual transmissions, allowing drivers to control the engine's performance through carefully selected gear changes.
This arrangement suited Ferrari's racing character and reflected the expectations of customers who wanted a direct connection with the mechanical behaviour of their cars.
However, Ferrari also produced luxurious grand tourers designed for long journeys rather than competition. Models including the 250 GTE, 330 GT 2+2 and 365 GT 2+2 demonstrated that the company understood the importance of passenger comfort and everyday usability. These cars offered more interior space and equipment than Ferrari's focused sports models.
The 365 GT4 2+2 foundation
The direct predecessor of the Ferrari 400 was the 365 GT4 2+2, introduced in 1972 as a new generation of front-engine twelve-cylinder grand tourers. Designed by Pininfarina, the car featured restrained styling with a long bonnet, relatively straight body lines and a spacious passenger compartment. Its appearance was deliberately different from Ferrari's more aggressive sports cars, reflecting its role as a vehicle intended for comfortable long-distance travel.
The 365 GT4 2+2 was powered by a 4.4-litre V12 engine connected to a five-speed manual transmission. Although the car offered substantial performance, its design placed greater emphasis on refinement and practicality than models such as the Berlinetta Boxer. This distinction became important when Ferrari began developing its successor, because the 365 GT4 2+2 had already established a suitable platform for customers who wanted a more relaxed driving experience.
The 400 Automatic debuts
Ferrari introduced the 400 series at the Paris Motor Show in 1976, replacing the 365 GT4 2+2 with an updated model featuring a larger engine and several design changes. The new range included the 400 GT with a conventional five-speed manual transmission and the 400 Automatic with a three-speed automatic gearbox.
This was the first time Ferrari offered an automatic transmission in a regular production model.
The decision represented an important change in Ferrari's approach to grand touring, but it did not mean the company was abandoning manual transmissions. Instead, Ferrari was giving customers a choice between two different driving experiences. Buyers who preferred direct mechanical control could pick the manual version, while those who valued convenience could choose the automatic without sacrificing the twelve-cylinder engine or the distinctive appearance of the 400 series.
Why an automatic gearbox?
The automatic transmission used in the Ferrari 400 was based on the General Motors Turbo Hydramatic 400, a three-speed gearbox that had already established a reputation for durability in powerful road cars. Unlike a manual transmission, which requires the driver to operate a clutch pedal and select gears, an automatic gearbox changes ratios without direct driver involvement. This allows the car to accelerate and slow down more smoothly during normal driving.
The system used a torque converter, a fluid coupling that transfers power from the engine to the transmission without requiring a conventional clutch pedal. This arrangement was particularly suitable for a large grand tourer because it reduced the effort required during traffic and low-speed driving.
Although the automatic transmission offered fewer forward gears than the manual version, the strong torque characteristics of Ferrari's V12 engine helped make the arrangement practical.
The 400 Automatic V12
The Ferrari 400 Automatic was powered by a 4.8-litre V12 engine with a displacement of 4,823 cubic centimetres. The engine represented a development of the twelve-cylinder unit used in the preceding 365 GT4 2+2, with increased capacity providing the performance required for the larger grand tourer. Ferrari quoted a maximum output of 340 horsepower, making the automatic version a powerful car despite its emphasis on comfort.
Fuel was supplied through six Weber carburettors, which mixed petrol with incoming air before delivering it to the engine's cylinders. This arrangement was typical of Ferrari's twelve-cylinder road cars during the period, although electronic fuel injection would become increasingly important in later years. The engine was positioned longitudinally at the front of the vehicle, with power delivered to the rear wheels through the automatic transmission.
How the 400 performs
Although the Ferrari 400 Automatic was designed primarily as a comfortable grand tourer, its performance remained impressive for a car introduced during the 1970s. Ferrari quoted a maximum speed of approximately 240 kph (149 mph), while the related manual 400 GT was capable of reaching approximately 245 kph (152 mph).
The relatively small difference demonstrated that the automatic transmission did not fundamentally change the car's high-speed capabilities.
However, the driving experience was noticeably different because the automatic gearbox reduced the amount of work required from the driver. Instead of selecting individual gears and operating a clutch pedal, the driver could concentrate on steering and controlling the accelerator. This made the 400 Automatic particularly suitable for long journeys and urban driving, where the convenience of automatic gear changes could be more valuable than the additional control offered by a manual transmission.
Pininfarina’s design
The Ferrari 400 retained the elegant Pininfarina body shape introduced with the 365 GT4 2+2, although several details were updated. Changes included revised exterior trim and a different rear light arrangement, while the overall proportions remained largely unchanged. The car measured approximately 4.81 metres (15.7 ft) in length and used a wheelbase of 2.7 metres (8.6 ft), providing enough space for a practical passenger compartment.
Inside, the 400 Automatic offered a more comfortable environment than Ferrari's smaller sports cars. The cabin featured a conventional seating arrangement with two front seats and two smaller rear seats, allowing the vehicle to accommodate additional passengers when necessary. This configuration was commonly described as 2+2, meaning the rear seats were intended primarily for occasional use rather than providing the same space as the front seats. The combination of passenger accommodation and automatic transmission made the 400 particularly distinctive within Ferrari's range.
The 412 continues
Ferrari continued developing its front-engine grand touring range during the 1980s, eventually introducing the 412 in 1985. The new model featured an enlarged V12 engine with a displacement of approximately 4.9-litre, together with changes to the exterior design and mechanical specification. Like the 400 series, the 412 remained available with an automatic transmission, continuing the approach Ferrari had introduced nearly a decade earlier.
The 412 remained in production until 1989, marking the end of a long development line that had begun with the 365 GT4 2+2. Although Ferrari would later introduce new generations of front-engine grand tourers, the 400 and 412 demonstrated that automatic transmissions could successfully coexist with the company's traditional emphasis on powerful twelve-cylinder engines. Their development also showed that Ferrari was willing to adapt established engineering practices when customer expectations changed.
Why the 400 matters
The Ferrari 400 Automatic occupies an important position in the company's history because it represents the moment Ferrari introduced automatic transmission technology to its regular production range. Although the model is sometimes overlooked in favour of more dramatic sports cars from the same period, its influence can be seen in Ferrari's later approach to combining performance with comfort and convenience.
The 400 Automatic also challenges the idea that Ferrari has always followed a single approach to building sports cars. Throughout its history, the company has produced both focused performance models and refined grand tourers, recognising that different customers have different expectations.
By introducing an automatic transmission in 1976, Ferrari demonstrated that its identity could evolve without abandoning the twelve-cylinder engines and engineering principles that had helped establish its reputation.
What’s your favourite part of the Ferrari 400 Automatic?
Subscribe to the ROSSOautomobili newsletter.
We make every effort to credit photographers and image sources accurately. Some images may have unknown origins. If you see a photo that’s yours and would like it credited or removed, please contact us.
Leave a comment