Ferrari's 201 mph 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 and the road-going 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 2,936 cc motor produces approximately 500 bhp at 7,000 rpm with the help of two water-cooled IHI turbochargers running 1.1 bar of boost. At 1,202 kg, the F40 had, and still has, a phenomenal power-to-weight ratio. Shatteringly fast by any comparison (especially for 1988), the F40 can sprint from 0-60 mph in just 4.4 seconds and hit 201 mph flat out making it the first production car to surpass this mystical boundary.

This F40 is a very early production F40 and was delivered in December 1988 to its first owner by Motor S.p.A in Modena, Italy. One of the first 55 production cars, this early example has a ‘7’ series chassis number and many of the features only evident on the earliest production cars. As each of the early F40s were, this example fits under the desirable and sought-after ‘non-cat’ cars, built before the catalytic converter was introduced into series production.

The earliest examples are known to be the rawer variant of the esteemed model. Corroborating with the very early build date are several characteristics which are indicative of an early ‘non-cat, non-adjust’ car. These include the bare aluminium intercoolers, and the different construction and finishing of carbon kevlar components such as the more rudimentary surface undeath the front clam, which draws the eyes to the unique way in which the NACA ducts are affixed to its underside. Under the front clam, the front brake cooling ducts and their flanges are also visible, and the manner they join to the clam is again different to later cars. Weighed in our workshops in November 2024, this example tips the scales at a scant 1,180kg wet. 

Similarly, this example features non-adjustable suspension, introduced as an option on the later produced cars. In addition, the car features many interesting early production characteristics such as alternative soft fabric seats (witnessed previously on other early examples by DK) and unpainted Kevlar parts such as brake ducts – a true reflection of how these early cars were built to be as minimal, basic and as lightweight as possible.

Whilst the historian-compiled records for this example make no mention of ‘Vetroresina Scorrevoli’, translated as ‘Lexan sliders’, it is possible they were fitted at assembly or post production. Being such an early ‘7’ series example, body numbers are as we’d expect. Regardless, this F40 has received Ferrari’s ‘Red Book’ Classiche Certification, confirming their acceptance of Lexan windows as an original build option.

The car remained with its first owner until 1992 when it was sold with just 1,800 kms on the clock. The car moved to France, was placed into a private collection and never driven. In 2011, this F40 was extracted and received a full recommissioning including new cambelts, tyres, injectors and of course, fuel cells. The car was imported to the UK by DK Engineering and sold to its first UK custodian with just 1,956 kms. Their usage was extremely limited, but an exception was made for the 25th anniversary meeting at Silverstone, where the car would join the track with 58 other examples of the model.

DK Engineering sold the car to a good friend and customer in September 2015 who placed the car in storage. During their ownership, the headliner was removed and refitted. The car changed hands once more, passing to the most recent owner in 2018.

As of October 2024, this example has passed through our workshops once more, receiving a major service including cambelts. Today offered for sale with just 2,950 kms from new, this example affords its next custodian a rare opportunity to acquire such a low mileage example of Ferrari’s first supercar.

This ‘7’ series F40 is available to view at our showrooms outside London immediately, accompanied by its tools, tyre inflator, ‘Red Book’ Classiche Certification, and full book pack.

Please refer to our main website www.dke.co.uk for full details, additional photos, our terms of sale and accurate pricing as some websites may use out of date currency exchange rates: https://www.dkeng.co.uk/ferrari-sales/2076/blue_chip_competition_cars/ferrari_f40.html