Ferrari F40
It was fitting that the F40 was the final model commissioned by Enzo Ferrari before his death in 1988. Launched in 1987 to commemorate the marque’s 40th anniversary, this was a supercar that, true to the spirit of II Commendatore himself, incorporated racetrack technology in a road-going car to create a truly exhilarating package. Ferrari’s army of devoted fans agreed, with a lengthy waiting list and wealthy customers willing to pay up to a million pounds sterling to get their hands on the fastest street-legal production car in the world.
CONTAINING THE DNA of the similarly jaw-dropping 288 GTO model that it replaced, the F40 was styled by the fabled Pininfarina design house that had shaped many of Ferrari’s finest creations for almost as long as the company had been producing cars.
The F40 was a coupe with beauty and brawn in equal measure. Its twin-turbo 478 bhp V8 was capable of transporting a driver and passenger to more than 200 mph (322 mph) for the first time in a standard road car. Originally intended to be manufactured in strictly limited numbers, demand was so high for this sublime yet uncompromising model that Ferrari fulfilled orders until 1992. By this time the F40 was no longer the world’s quickest road car, but this was a minor detail for Ferrari aficionados and automotive writers who had run out of superlatives to describe one of the finest automobiles ever made.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Model | Ferrari F40,1987-2002 |
| Power output | 478 bhp at 7,000 rpm |
| Assembly | Maranello, Italy |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual |
| Production | 1,311 |
| Suspension | Front and rear independent |
| Construction | Oval-section tubular steel and composites |
| Brakes | Discs front and rear |
| Engine | 2,936 cc, V8 |
| Maximum speed | 201 mph (324 km/h) |
Made in Modena
Known as the Cavallino Rampante, Ferrari’s Prancing Horse logo originated from an Italian flying ace, who decorated his aircraft with the horse. The badge also features the colors of the Italian flag, while the yellow background is the color of Ferrari’s hometown of Modena.
Wind-cheating design
Every aspect of the F40’s design was determined by aerodynamics and airflow, from its steeply raked nose to the three air intakes at the front of the car-one large central example for the radiator and two smaller side vents for the brakes-and the conspicuous scoops on the hood. Pop-up headlights were supplemented by flush-fitting indicators and fog-light assembly.
THE EXTERIOR
Made up of just 11 panels, the F40’s carbon-fiber, Kevlar, and Nomex body shell was offered to customers in one color—Rosso Corsa, or Racing Red. The high-tech materials resulted in an exceptionally light kerb weight of just 2,420lb (1,100 kg) which, combined with the ultra-rigid tubular-steel chassis, contributed to a car with exceptional handling. Unsubtle air vents of varying sizes peppered the bodywork, adding to the sense of menace generated by the F40’s aggressive styling.
Prancing Horse logo with initials for Scuderia Ferrari, the racing team division
Ferrari script positioned above rear License plate
Pop-up headlights replaced by faired lights on some race-modified F40s
Air duct for engine cooling
Traditional five-spoke wheel design given sporty makeover
Locking filler cap for 32-gallon (120-liter) fuel tank
F40 logo etched into strut of rear aerofoil
Vents in engine cover direct air to wing
Cooling air vent on base of wing
Ferrari’s traditional twin circular taillights
Triple exhaust pipes emerge from center of rear
THE INTERIOR
The racing character of the F40 was reflected in its bare-bones cockpit, which was functional and spartan in the extreme. There was no place for electric windows, carpets, or even door handles, with the only concession to luxury being the presence of air conditioning. Interior trim was virtually nonexistent, and the red cloth-covered Kevlar seats presented the sole splash of color in what was a predominantly monochrome driving environment.
All F40s were produced in left-hand drive
Logo ornament doubles as horn
Speedometer and rev-counter that red-lines at 8,000 rpm
Five-speed gearshift lever in chrome
Lightweight drilled pedals
UNDER THE HOOD
Not only did the mighty 90° V8 incorporate twin turbochargers, it also sported two intercoolers to squeeze additional power out of the engine. The unit’s performance figures were exceptional, with the engine’s record-breaking 478 bhp output equating to a staggering 160bhp per liter. The absence of power steering or anti-lock braking system provided further proof that this sublime example of automotive engineering really was aimed at those able to drive at the extremes.
Engine had a bore (internal cylinder diameter) of 82 mm and a stroke (distance traveled by pistons) of 69.5 mm
Horizontally mounted exhaust muffler
Coil springs and shock absorber, adjustable on later models
Storage area under hood
It is a quote. The Definitive Visual History Of The Automobile 2011
