Satan's barge - 1983 Ferrari 400i

[Mr Tidy]

Rumdoodle said:

Mr Tidy said:

Yes it looks like a great trip in great company.

But it does look like the rear of your car has collapsed in that last photo!

It's just resting - honest!

On the 400, the tailpipes are exposed, whereas the 412 has an extra valance under the rear bumper which encloses them and can make it look even more extreme.

That's a good reason to stick to a 400 then - if you have 4 tail-pipes you want them to be visible!

Enjoy the rest of your trip.

[Mars]

New video from Ian Tyrell - a spotlight on the Ferrari 400, and variants:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1XkdbStI8E&t=...

[Rumdoodle]

Excellent last night in Deauville
Leisurely start this morning to see the important things


Now on the boat back. Car has been an absolute pleasure again. I'll park it up in a couple of days, send a job list to the garage and wheel it out for Angouleme in September.

[Spinakerr]

That night time side shot is worthy of framing, or the front cover of Octane. Thanks for posting upnthe trip, great to hear and see the 400 being used as inteded.

[Rumdoodle]

Spinakerr said:

That night time side shot is worthy of framing, or the front cover of Octane. Thanks for posting upnthe trip, great to hear and see the 400 being used as inteded.

The photo isn't my effort. I don't really have an eye for these things.

[theadman]

I agree...the night time shot is excellent.

...it also shows your bonnet is back to working properly!

Thanks for writing up the trip.

[sidewinder500]

Rumdoodle said:

Spinakerr said:

That night time side shot is worthy of framing, or the front cover of Octane. Thanks for posting upnthe trip, great to hear and see the 400 being used as inteded.

The photo isn't my effort. I don't really have an eye for these things.

Yes we know, it's the car...

[Rumdoodle]

Gave the old thing a rinse this evening and the contrast between the rear suspension at its lowest and its highest isn't quite as pronounced from this angle. It's nose down on a bit of a slope, which seems to compensate a bit. Anyway, it goes up, it goes down. As with self-levelling suspension, so with planes and other things in life, we should be thankful for that.

[Doofus]

Does one sphere (or both) have a small leak which releases pressure at rest, but is small enough to be overcome when running?

[Rumdoodle]

Doofus said:

Does one sphere (or both) have a small leak which releases pressure at rest, but is small enough to be overcome when running?

I think you're right. That's probably where the problem lies. I took this photo next to a first generation car, which may not have exactly the same system, but it's noticeably higher. This was just after switching off the engines.

[Bonefish Blues]

Does everyone run TRXs?

[Doofus]

Rumdoodle said:

Doofus said:

Does one sphere (or both) have a small leak which releases pressure at rest, but is small enough to be overcome when running?

I think you're right. That's probably where the problem lies. I took this photo next to a first generation car, which may not have exactly the same system, but it's noticeably higher. This was just after switching off the engines.

It may be the photo, but yours already looks a little lop-sided. Down on the left a bit?

[Rumdoodle]

Bonefish Blues said:

Does everyone run TRXs?

Well spotted. That blue 400 was the only other car I checked. I think the earlier 365 had the XWX. The TRX is still available and isn't outrageously expensive compared to tyres for modern Ferraris. So, we need to keep buying them and make sure Michelin keep making them. I think, particularly in the States, the temptation is to fit different wheels and buy cheaper tyres. But, given the typical running costs for these cars, why you would try and save a few hundred on a set of tyres is beyond me.

[Rumdoodle]

Doofus said:

Rumdoodle said:

Doofus said:

Does one sphere (or both) have a small leak which releases pressure at rest, but is small enough to be overcome when running?

I think you're right. That's probably where the problem lies. I took this photo next to a first generation car, which may not have exactly the same system, but it's noticeably higher. This was just after switching off the engines.

It may be the photo, but yours already looks a little lop-sided. Down on the left a bit?

It's not the photo. It does "dress" to one side. A suspension overhaul is a matter of when, rather than if.

[bolidemichael]

A good opportunity to compare and contrast.

[Rumdoodle]

bolidemichael said:

A good opportunity to compare and contrast.

Really good! I had to restrain my impulse to photograph everything. There is a lot of info out there, but the chance to actually have a look properly is very rare. And, I suppose, because a lot of these aren't used as much as mine is, one isn't always comparing apples with apples.