Chassis no. ZFFGJ34B0000 80731
Engine no. 16159
In the late 1980s companies vied with each other to make supercars. The market was buoyant and engineers wanted to extend themselves. It seemed that hardly a week went by without a new project being announced though some of these did not progress beyond the initial press release.
There were many reasons why manufacturers wanted to climb on the bandwagon, but Ferrari had a reason which came from the heart: 1987 was the company's fortieth anniversary as a maker and Enzo Ferrari was close to the end of his life. The F40 was designed to commemorate a major landmark for the company and it was also the last car the design of which was approved by the great man himself.
The F40 set out to be the world's fastest production car and achieved that aim with a top speed of 201 mph (321 kph) and 0-60 mph in under four seconds. It was based on the GTO Group B car but stripped of carpets and interior door panels to save weight. The engine was a short-stroke variation of the 3 litre Quattrovalve V8 with twin IHI turbochargers; this gave a staggering 478 bhp while 426 lb ft torque meant the F40 was a brilliant driving experience in any road conditions.
The Pininfarina studio surpassed itself with a body which combined beauty with function; it had kerbside presence yet was aerodynamically sound.
Launched at a time when the prices of classic cars, especially Ferraris, were going through the roof, the F40 was sold only to established Ferrari customers and only 1,311 examples were made. It was a personal gesture by Enzo Ferrari to valued clients and since he died in 1988, it was among his last gestures.
When the car was unveiled to the world's news media in July, 1987, Enzo Ferrari revealed that he had in mind, both the celebration of a significant anniversary and a car in the spirit of the Ferrari 250 LM, the last which could technically be driven to Le Mans, win the race, and be driven home
