Ferrari F40 (1989)

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.

This fantastic example of the collectors preference F40 - a non-cat, non-adjust car, was supplied new by SamoCar, Rome’s Ferrari dealership to Comital SrL, a food wholesaler on 31st October 1989. Used sparingly, the car would cover just 2,200 kms over the next 10 years and Comital SrL remained the sole keeper as supported by title documents and period correspondence.

Purchased from the supplying dealership SamoCar in July 1996 by John Collins of Talacrest, who imported the car and registered it for use in the UK with a mileage of just 2,200 kilometres. At this time, the car was comprehensively inspected by Maranello Sales who confirmed the mileage was correct and that the speedometer had not been tampered with.

Bought from Talacrest by dealership Hendon Way Motors, the car was sold within a month of its registration to a regular client and serial Ferrari enthusiast, Mr Papathomas. Papathomas transferred the car to Pearl Management c/o Storacar just a week after purchase. The car would cover just 600 miles in the 18 months before its next custodian. The car was subsequently purchased through Maranello Sales, Egham on 20th December 1998. Prior to sale, Maranello subjected the car to a comprehensive major service including cambelts, water pump and brake discs.

The car would be serviced annually during the long-term ownership of the car. From acquisition in 1998 to the time of sale in 2003, the car would be used occasionally covering 8,000 kilometres during their five-year ownership.

In 2003, DK Engineering handled the sale to the most recent long term owner- one who would ultimately keep the car for 19 years. Purchasing the 11,100 km F40 in February 2003, this F40 was bought for just £169,500 - including a major service with cambelts and the replacement of the fuel cells – fair to say, a substantial return on investment!

Since 2003, the car has once more been used sparingly with no more than 500 km added between the annual MOTs. We have been responsible for the care of the car since 2003, carrying out major services when required.

In January 2021, this F40 visited our workshops once more, receiving a comprehensive major service including the replacement of the fuel cells, refitting the original exhaust and some minor detailing work in the engine bay. The car was also inspected for Ferrari Classiche Certification and with no issues raised, the red book folio will be with the car shortly.