Completed by the factory on 26 October 1990 and built to U.S. ‘cat, adjust’ specifications with catalytic converters and adjustable suspension, chassis no. 87031 is noted as being the 76th of a total of 213 F40s built by Ferrari for the US market, according to marque historian Marcel Massini.

Shipped new to Ferrari Los Gatos, prior to being delivered to its first owner, the F40 was unfortunately damaged in a road-testing accident by a salesman at Ferrari of Los Gatos, sustaining damage to the nose as well as the passenger side rear corner. Likely as a result of the car being financed by their dealer floorplan, the car was declared a “total loss” by the dealership’s insurance company, which is noted on the car’s CARFAX report. Subsequently, a new front clam was sourced by Ferrari and the car was fully rebuilt to as-new condition. The car was then sold new to Phil Conte, the owner of his own IMSA racing team in February of 1992. It is important to note that the car was sold new with a full factory warranty at this time, noting that Ferrari themselves classified the car as a brand-new car from this point.

Chassis number 87031 resided in California for the early part of its life, and the accompanying Carfax shows it remained there until at least June of 1999, having accumulated some 9,671 miles by that point. It was purchased by the late Keith Verges of Dallas in 2009 showing approximately 11,300 miles at the time of his purchase. A lawyer by trade and a passionate car enthusiast outside of the office, Keith founded Apex Driving Academy in Cresson, Texas. He raced a variety of cars, including a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars and a Dodge Viper ACR-X. Needless to say, Verges was well-qualified to handle the power and performance of an F40.

Announcing the purchase of his F40 in a post on FerrariChat.com in May 2009, Verges mentioned the car’s accident damage in the 1990s, stating that the car received a new front clamshell and further commenting “That is certainly possible, but the repairs were done perfectly, with any parts that were damaged being replaced, not repaired, as there is no sign of any repair work…”, referencing the quality of his new car. Verges used the F40 as Enzo would have intended and put approximately 4,000 miles on the car in his five years of ownership.

The current owner, also an enthusiastic racer, acquired the car from Verges in 2014 with approximately 15,000 miles on the odometer. Appreciating the car’s impressive overall quality, he decided to have the car fully restored to turn it into one of the finest F40s in the United States. The F40 was entrusted to Exoticars USA, LLC of Milford, New Jersey to make it present its very best; invoices for this work are available in the car’s history file.

Following the completion of the restoration work, the car has been shown twice. Its first showing was at the Ferrari Club of America national meet at Watkins Glen in 2018, where it earned a Platinum award and a Ferrari of Exceptional Merit award. Amongst the judges was Brian Crall, considered by many to be one of the foremost experts on F40s in the US. According to the consignor, he told him that chassis no. 87031 was one of the most authentic F40s that he had ever had the pleasure of judging.

Finally, the F40 was granted Ferrari Classiche certification in early 2023, confirming that it presents today just as it did when it left the factory and retains its original chassis, engine, and gearbox. In its current ownership, the car has been driven approximately 1,500 miles, roughly 10% of the car’s total mileage.

Undoubtedly one of the most iconic automobiles ever built by Ferrari, the F40 was the gold standard of performance cars when it was unveiled almost forty years ago, and it still remains a truly thrilling car to behold in all regards today. With a Platinum award and Ferrari Classiche certification to its name, this example presents beautifully throughout.