Ferrari F40

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 convertors 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. (Approximately 7 examples were converted to RHD for the Sultan of Brunei).

DK Engineering has completed over 200 sales of this iconic supercar. Our workshops have maintained approximately 90 different examples at various points in their life over the past twenty-five years. With this, we are generally acknowledged as one of the leading F40 specialists in Europe.

This fantastic example was supplied new to Venezuelan-born Formula 1 and touring car ace, Johnny Cecotto. With his father already competing on motorbikes, it was no surprise he would follow in his fathers footsteps. In 1975 he became the Motorcyle Road Racing World Champion, at just 19 years old, the youngest winner ever.

At the age of 27, he made his debut in Formula 1. Starting off in the under-funded Theodore Racing team, he managed sixth place in his second F1 race ever. Unfortunately due to a lack of funding he was forced to watch from the sidelines for the final races of the season. In 1984, he joined the Toleman Racing Team with none other than Ayrton Senna as his teammate. He was certainly on track for greatness but a significant crash in qualifying for the British GP cut his F1 career short.

In 1985 he transitioned into touring cars racing with ‘works’ teams, most notably with BMW. A ‘Johnny Cecotto’ edition of the E30 M3 was launched celebrating his successes and counting as a homologation special affording them wider entries into international motorsport.

Johnny took delivery of this car on 14th November 1989, supplied new by Ferrari Germany and would be kept in his care for 24 years. Using the car sparingly, it had covered just 5,300 kms when we sourced the car for its second owner in September 2013. Today the car retains its original bookpack and wallet, the latter both signed and branded with Cecotto’s signature. Additionally the car features it’s complete three-piece luggage set, also branded at the factory with Cecotto’s initials.

In 2013, DK Engineering sourced this example for the current owner. We carried out a meticulous and comprehensive overhaul upon its arrival in the UK. A thorough service including cambelts, fuel cells and overhauling the turbochargers. This example received Classiche Certification in 2013 and has since been used sparingly covering fewer than 1,000kms since.

The car has been serviced annually with us since most recently receiving a major cambelt service in May 2020. This stunning example with fantastic provenance, just two owners from new and just 5,900 kms is accompanied by its book pack, Ferrari Red Book Classiche Certification and complete three-piece luggage set.