The Ferrari F40

Table of Contents:

Ferrari F40 – Key Details

The Ultimate Guide to the Ferrari F40

THE BRUTAL, BEAUTIFUL, FERRARI F40

The Ferrari F40 is simply one of the most classic, iconic, unforgettable cars, ever. The last Ferrari to be given the green light by Enzo Ferrari himself, the Ferrari F40 was a fitting send-off for Il Commendatore; a gorgeous yet brutal, performance-at-all-costs exotic car. Just over 1,311 F40s were built, a very high number for a top-tier Ferrari (compare that to only 499 total LaFerraris). This was in large part due to Ferrari ramping up production to in response to the astronomical prices being paid for used Ferrari F40s in the late 1980s.

Famously, the F40 uses a 2.9-litre, twin-turbo V8 producing 478 horsepower. This engine was borrowed from the 288GTO, although it featured plenty of enhancements. The only transmission offered was a 5-speed manual. Other mechanical details include a double-wishbone suspension setup that allowed the driver to raise the car for manoeuvring over speed bumps and the like.

The F40’s exterior is quite possibly Pininfarina’s most exemplary effort. A plethora of scoops and ducts on the bodywork not only add visual appeal but also serve to reduce drag and aid in cooling that powerful V8. The back window even has vents of its own.  In pursuit of lightness, the F40’s interior is a bare-bones affair, offering as few luxuries as possible with a pull-cord instead of door handles, no map lights, no radio, and no glovebox. In addition to saving weight, these measures really lend the F40 a stripped-out, race car feel. Ferrari’s attempts to keep the weight low were successful, with a resultant curb weight of just 3,018 lbs.  Even with its lofty horsepower rating, the F40 relied heavily on its advanced aerodynamics to aid its performance. The result was a low 0.34 drag coefficient, enough to enable this exotic car to reach a top speed of 324 km/h.

Built for the most passionate (and wealthy) Ferrari owners who desired nothing more than an all-out performance machine, the F40 has only gained in popularity as carmakers, including Ferrari, venture further away from this type of car and more towards technologically-laden, safety-oriented vehicles each year. When it debuted, it marked the fastest and most expensive Ferrari ever built, and while that designation has been taken over by its successors, the F40 is still special enough to retain its exalted status. In fact, the F40’s immediate successor, the F50, struggled to climb out of its monumental shadow, even though it is a better car.

30 years on and for many the F40 is still King. That just shows just how good the F40 really is.

Ferrari F40 – Photo Gallery

Ferrari F40 – Technical Specifications

Ferrari F40 – Registry & Videos

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