Ferrari F40 (1991)

Ferrari's 201mph F40 is the definitive supercar and has a formidable reputation alongside the 250 GTO as possibly the best road Ferrari built to date. With the F40 Pininfarina produced an era-defining creation, one that even today is instantly recognisable by old and young enthusiasts alike. F40's were closely derived from the experimental GTO Evoluzione's and the road 288 GTO (that the F40 replaced). The design features a tubular steel chassis with bonded composite inserts, most notably around the sills and floor pan, The 2936cc motor produces approximately 500bhp at 7000rpm with the help of two water-cooled IHI turbochargers running 1.1bar of boost - at 1,202kg the F40 had a and still has a phenomenal power-to-weight ratio. Shatteringly fast by any comparison (especially for 1988), the F40 can sprint from 0-60mph in just 4.4 seconds and hit 201mph flat out making it the first production car to surpass this mystical boundary.

Whilst the GTO had pioneered the use of composite panels, the F40 was the first whose bodywork was constructed entirely from such materials. Comprising of eleven panels made from Nomex, Kevlar and Carbon composite with a heavily ventilated Plexiglas rear windscreen. The F40 was a landmark not just on account of its crushing performance and stunning looks, but it was fittingly the last ever car presented by Enzo Ferrari, this taking place at Maranello in June 1987, 14 months before the great man's death. From 1991 onwards cars were fitted with catalytic converters to meet ever-tightening legislation and at this time adjustable suspension became an option. Production was discontinued in 1992 after 1,311 examples had been completed in five years (600 or so being bound for the USA and being noticeably different to their lighter and faster European cousins), the F40 was only ever available from Ferrari in left-hand drive and presented in Rosso Corsa. We have sold close to 200 examples and our workshops have maintained approximately 100 different examples at various points in their life over the past twenty-five years. With this, we are generally acknowledged as the leading F40 specialists in the world.

DK Engineering has completed over 200 sales of this iconic supercar. Our workshops have maintained approximately 100 different examples at various points in their life over the past twenty-five years. With this, we are generally acknowledged as the leading F40 specialist in the world.

This example was delivered new in 1991 to its first keeper in Germany, Mr Zilling. Zilling would keep the car for 18 years returning it to supplying dealership Auto Becker for servicing work. In 2009 we purchased this, at the time one owner, example and sold the car to its second owner which following a major service at DK would ship the car to his home in New Zealand, having covered just 18,000 km. The aforementioned major service included cambelts and new fuel cells. Additional work included replacing engine cam cover gaskets, replacing wastegate gaskets, wishbone bushes, and other perished rubbers.

The car remained in New Zealand and was sold a short while later to Phil Rudd, Rockstar drummer of ACDC fame. As a private man, Rudd used the car sparingly but made a notable public appearance at a charity fundraiser after the 2011 Christchurch earthquake. Rudd maintained the car exclusively with Continental Cars in his near 10-year ownership, despite covering just 500km.

The car has since returned to the UK and the mileage today is just 20,256kms. This example is Ferrari Red Book Classiche Certified and is accompanied by its complete book pack and tool kit. A major service including the 10-year replacement of the fuel tanks will be carried out as a part of the sale. This F40 is available to view virtually from our showrooms just outside London immediately.