Dream Car Series: Ferrari F40

The 40th anniversary ushered in the Ferrari F40 which was the most powerful, fastest, and most expensive car in the market at that time.

The F40 was produced from 1987 to 1992, giving the brand a stylish celebration. Incidentally, the F40 was the last car personally approved by Enzo Ferrari, the founder of this iconic brand. That fact alone makes this car extra special and certainly worthy of our Dream Car Series.

Time Management and a Love for the Craft

Sometimes we forget the team at Ferrari was intentionally small. So small, in fact, that those who worked on the F40 had to do so outside of normal business hours because they were needed for their regular duties. Engineer Nicola Materazzi came up with the idea to use the 288 GTO models from the failed Group B rally class to develop this new car. At the time, sales at Ferrari were faltering, and it was Enzo’s belief this was caused by overly “soft” cars compared to many rivals. Had Ferrari gone soft? If they did, the F40 was the car that brought them out of this funk and back to where they belonged.

The Ferrari F40 Was to be More Exclusive

Originally, only 400 models of the F40 were meant to be produced. The immediate popularity of this car caused the team to increase those numbers, which eventually hit 1,315, the total number made. The uniqueness of this car was cause for a price that started at $399,150 in 1987, a staggering figure. With this price, the popularity of the car, and the slow sales for other models, it made sense for the brand to push the numbers to a much higher level. The total figure still allows this car to be one of the most exclusive in the world. Several models have sold for much more on the resale market.

Even though Ferrari announced a limit of 400 units, blowing past that put them in a sticky situation with the F40. The car was a huge sales success, but when the economic bubble popped, prices for this and other cars plummeted. Many were upset with Ferrari for making so many of these cars. Since that time, the brand has stuck to its capped production numbers, with the F50 only being made in 349 units, the Enzo at 399 units, and the LaFerrari at 499 versions.

The Production Process Came Quickly

From the 288 GTO Evoluzione concept models that were leftover from the defunct Group B to the hardcore road cars that are the F40 only took 11 months. That was incredibly fast, but the project had a deadline and became one of the most focused efforts this team has ever put together. Not only was the production of the F40 developed quickly, but this car was also one of the first of its kind to use advanced materials, including carbon fiber and bonded Kevlar panels.

Forget Comfort, This Car is About Speed

If the feature in question had to do with comfort, it was left out of the production process for the Ferrari F40. This car was all about low weight numbers and high power numbers. The seats were ultra-lightweight cloth buckets, the dashboard was wrapped in felt, and had very few switches and gauges. You couldn’t find interior door handles and armrests instead, you got pull-cords to open the doors of this amazing car. All of this was done in the name of saving way and increasing speed. It worked; the F40 weighed in at 3,000pounds, which was extremely light for a supercar from that time.

Adding the Power Element

The 288 GTO’s powertrain evolved into a monster in the F40. This powertrain gave use a 2.9-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine mated to a five-speed manual transmission. The power listed was 471 horsepower and 426 lb.-ft. of torque. Some experts believe this car capable of 500 horsepower without breaking a sweat. All this power gave this car a top speed of 229mph, making it the first production car to ever break the 200 mph mark. A sprint to sixty mph took less than 3.1 seconds in this glorious supercar.

All that power had to be controlled somehow. The stock models of the F40 feature vented disc brakes with 17-inch wheels. The front tires measured 245/45, while the rear tires measured 335/35 even though the wheels were the same size on both ends.

A Ferrari F40 at the Track

We wouldn’t believe in this supercar unless it had some track credentials. This led to the F40LM taking its talents to the track with Jean Alesi behind the wheel. This amazing track-oriented version raced at the Laguna Seca Raceway in the IMSA league. Alesi finished third, giving this car the credentials it needed. There were originally 19 of these F40LM models made, but by 1995, only four remained.

The Harshest Ride that We Love

Since it first arrived on the scene, the Ferrari F40 has been unapologetically harsh. The car has an empty interior, made for lightness, not for comfort. It also has a ride quality that makes many people utter four-letter words they wouldn’t normally say. On the smoothest of pavement, the F40 can feel unforgiving, and on rough roads, it’s as means as they come. With all this going against it, why do we love this car?

Unlike so many other cars of the time and now, this Ferrari was and still is raw and untamed. It’s been considered to be one of the most pure driving cars in the world. When it comes to sheer performance, speed, and adrenaline, it’s nearly impossible to beat the F40. No other car has been made like it, and with the advanced electronics of today, no other car will ever be made to equal the F40.

Have you spent time dreaming of this glorious supercar? The Ferrari F40 was one of the most unique supercars ever made. Models still around today are often traded from one wealthy owner to another at auctions. Those who actually drive these cars understand the beauty in the harshness of the ride.