Launched to celebrate Ferrari’s 40th anniversary in 1987, the F40 was the company’s most potent production vehicle at that time. Its 2.9-liter twin-turbo V8 engine, hidden beneath the coupe’s sleek design, generated 478 horsepower and 426 lb-ft of torque, allowing it to reach 0-60 mph in just 3.8 seconds and achieve a remarkable top speed of 201 mph, a first for production cars.
The F40’s design drew inspiration from the race version of the 288 GTO, specifically the GTO Evoluzione, which was developed to compete against Porsche’s 959. Unlike the complex design of the 959, the F40 utilized a powerful engine, lightweight materials, and an aerodynamic shape for its impressive performance.
Built on a lightweight frame of tubular steel and composites, the F40 weighs only 2,425 pounds—over 500 pounds lighter than the 959. Its bodywork, crafted under Leonardo Fioravanti’s direction and later refined by Pininfarina, features a clean, aerodynamic silhouette with functional elements for cooling and downforce.
The F40 is celebrated as the first true 200 mph supercar and the last Ferrari personally approved by Enzo Ferrari. For enthusiasts who are looking to own on this highly-coveted supercar, you better not miss RM Sotheby’s upcoming London 2024 auction where a 1989 Ferrari F40 is going to be sold with an estimated value between $2,450,000 and $2,650,000.
This particular F40, chassis 83052, was configured in the desirable early series, European “non-cat, non-adjust” specification. It left the Maranello factory on October 25, 1989, bound for Motor S.p.A. In November, Italleasing S.p.A purchased it, assigning it the Italian registration “GE 876251.”
By the early 1990s, the car transitioned to a French owner, who registered it with the Parisian license “40 KRL 75.” It made its way to the UK in late 1997, retaining its French registration and recording only 2,866 kilometers. After passing its MoT inspection, it received UK registration on February 24, 1998. Allen Grove owned the car briefly before selling it to Mr. S. Johnson in 2000.
Under Mr. Johnson’s ownership, the F40 received meticulous care from DK Engineering and was was featured in Classic Cars magazine in 2007. After nine years of ownership, Mr. Johnson sold the car in August 2009, with an odometer reading of 18,350 kilometers. The current owner has maintained its excellent condition and secured Ferrari Classiche certification. With only two owners this century and a mileage of just 20,921 kilometers, this F40 is a rare find on the market, presented in its original color combination of Rosso Corsa with a Stoffa Vigogna interior.
Source: RM Sotheby’s
