As the progenitor of Ferrari’s flagship line of anniversary-celebrating hypercars, the F40 is undeniably one of the most special Prancing Horses ever produced. Essentially built to racing specifications with a twin-turbocharged V-8, aerodynamically perfected carbon fibre and Kevlar coachwork, and the barest modicum of cockpit trim, the F40 oozed Maranello’s racing DNA. It was not merely coincidental that this was the last model developed under Enzo Ferrari’s watchful eye, as the F40 exemplified the spirit of Scuderia Ferrari’s finest competition machines.

The model was originally conceived to be an FIA Group B competitor, developed from the superlative 288 GTO, to take on the likes of the Porsche 959. Enthusiasts can be grateful that the F40’s development continued regardless of the racing class’s cancellation. Rather than scrap the programme entirely, Ferrari opted to use the five initial 288 GTO Evoluzione development cars as the basis of a new 40th anniversary model.

As it was designed for competition, the F40 featured a race-developed steel tube-frame chassis with four-wheel double-wishbone independent suspension, coil-over Koni shock absorbers, and four-calliper ventilated disc brakes. Pietro Camardella’s coachwork design, executed under the direction of Leonardo Fioravanti and aerodynamically perfected in Pininfarina’s wind tunnel, was built with panelling woven of Kevlar and carbon fibre. This reduced the kerb weight by approximately 20 per cent, while simultaneously tripling the car’s structural rigidity.

The 288’s twin-turbocharged V-8 was bored to displace 2.9 litres and equipped with IHI turbochargers and Behr intercoolers. It was then mated to a five-speed transaxle actuated by a gated shifter. The resulting performance was nothing short of astonishing. The type F120 040 engine developed 471 brake horsepower and 425 pound-feet of torque to launch the F40 to 60 mph from standstill in just 3.8 seconds and achieving a top speed of 201 mph (thereby exceeding the 959 and Lamborghini Countach).

Unlike the more luxurious treatments that have become fashionable today, the F40’s interior aptly reflected its basis in race car development, with a no-frills spartan design philosophy. Accordingly, weight was thoroughly minimised with the use of components such as cloth upholstery on plastic-composite racing seats, pull-strap door releases, drilled pedals, and Perspex windows.

Publicly introduced at the 1987 Frankfurt Motor Show, the F40 was initially earmarked for a low production run of 400 examples. However, skyrocketing customer interest prompted Ferrari to build 1,315 cars. Occupying such an important perch in Maranello’s supercar lineage, it is hardly surprising that many F40 examples were initially purchased by astute collectors and largely restricted to showroom viewing and concours exhibition. Relatively few cars were driven in anger on a track, but a handful of drivers were lucky enough to experience the F40 under such conditions.

Case in point, five-time 24 Hours of Le Mans winner Derek Bell was allowed to push the car’s limits during a test drive for Classic & Sports Car magazine conducted during the mid-2000s. His verdict: ‘It’s just magnificent…This is a car to make your hair curl. The power delivery is sensational, and I love the way the turbos come on with such a rush. Very quickly the situation changes from neutral understeer to amazing oversteer, but it’s all superbly predictable.’

31 YEARS OF SINGLE OWNERSHIP

Minimally driven and claiming single ownership for over 31 years, this beautifully presented F40 is a desirable “cat, adjust” example, being factory equipped with catalytic converters and adjustable suspension. According to the research of marque expert Marcel Massini, which is supported by both the warranty booklet and information from the Maranello Concessionaires Archive, chassis number 88605 was completed in February 1991.

Correspondence with the original owner demonstrates that the Ferrari was ordered new in 1990 through Maranello Concessionaires, the famed factory-preferred distributor in the United Kingdom. The buyer was one Charles Chong, a marque enthusiast from Malaysia who was a favoured repeat client. In October 1991 Mr Chong sold the F40 to a local sports car dealer called William Loughran Ltd, which three years later sold the car to its current caretaker, a London-based enthusiast who has maintained possession for over 31 years.

In February 2025 the F40 was treated to a significant service by Ferrari specialist Autofficina, including a replacement of the cam belts and fuel tank foam elements, refurbishment of the wheels, re-charging of the air conditioner, re-trimming of the seats and headliner, and mounting of new Pirelli tyres. According to an invoice on file, this work totalled almost £49,000.

This Ferrari currently displays only 5,346 miles on the odometer, a figure that is supported by steadily increasing mileages shown on MoT test certificates from 2013 to 2025. This testament to the F40’s minimal use clarifies that the car is one of the lesser-driven examples one might encounter. It is also important to note that mechanical stampings consistent with factory data suggest that this car retains its matching-numbers engine, gearbox/transaxle, and coachwork, substantially bolstering the car’s desirably original condition.

Accompanied by owner’s manuals in the proper leather pouch, and documented with the Massini report, correspondence from the Maranello Concessionaires Archive, warranty booklet, MoT certificates, and the service invoice from Autofficina, this highly original F40 is offered from over 31 years of single-owner care. It shows a gentle patina consistent with its unrestored condition. Such an authentic example of Maranello’s 40th anniversary masterpiece would make a smashing addition to any supercar collection or assemblage of important Ferraris, ideal for event participation or presentation at concours d’elegance.