The final project personally overseen by Enzo Ferrari, the F40 was a celebration of the marque’s 40th anniversary as a motorcar manufacturer. While heavily influenced by the 288 GTO Evoluzione developed for FIA Group B motor sports competition, the F40 was never conceived for life on a circuit or racetrack, but instead simply intended to be the fastest, sharpest Ferrari road car built to date.

The F40 project was entrusted to Nicola Materazzi, a mechanical engineer who was also responsible for the Lancia Stratos and Ferrari 288 GTO. Eschewing the design philosophy taken by Porsche with their astonishingly fast and technologyladen 959, the mid-engine, two-seater F40 would exemplify more traditional Ferrari values and rely on power, low weight, and aerodynamics for its prowess. Constructed by Scaglietti, the F40’s purposeful shape was developed by longtime collaborator Pininfarina to reduce frontal-area drag and lift.

Constructed of composite materials, the wind tunnel-developed body incorporated aerodynamic aids in the form of a dam-shaped nose and high rear-mounted wing. Set against 17" Speedline wheels hiding 13" Brembo ventilated disc brakes, the side profile was highlighted by two fins and a Lexan, louvered rear window that connected the roofline to the cut-off tail. A clamshell hood contained retractable headlights and NACA-designed air intakes.

Another development from the 288 GTO, the F40’s 90 alloy V-8 displaced 2.9 liters and distributed output to the rear wheels through a five-speed manual gearbox. Employing four valves per cylinder, dry sump lubrication, and twin IHI water-cooled turbochargers feeding intake air via a pair of Behr intercoolers at 1.1 bar, power was factory-rated at 478 hp at 7,000 rpm and 425 lbs./ft. of torque at 4,000 rpm.

Underneath, the F40 utilized a tubular steel chassis and double-wishbone suspension setup much like the 288 GTO. Weight was kept to a minimum by the use of carbon fiber composites on the floor pan, dashboard, front bulkhead, and other areas, helping the F40 achieve a curb weight of just 2,425 pounds.

The F40’s interior featured little in terms of amenities and excised features such as a glove box, carpeting, door handles, and a radio to eliminate unnecessary weight. Under similar thinking, there was little offered in the way of driver’s aids, not even anti-lock brakes, although air-conditioning was later made available.

Built from 1987 to 1992, 1,315 road-going F40s were built due to demand, far more than the 400 units originally planned. Ferrari officially stated a 0–60 mph time of 4.1 seconds and a 201 mph top speed. Independently testing an F40 in October 1991, Road & Track magazine coaxed 0–60 mph in 3.8 seconds, the quarter mile in 11.8 seconds, and a top speed of 196 mph.

This 1991 Ferrari F40 was finished in Rossa Corsa (Racing Red) over a Stofa Vigogna (Vicuna Cloth) interior and delivered new in September 1991 to Harold W. Sherrill of Hickory, North Carolina, through Foreign Cars Italia in nearby Greensboro.

One of 213 US-specification examples built, this F40 features a nonadjustable suspension, catalytic converters, and air-conditioning. According to records on file, this F40 was retained by Mr. Sherrill until August 2013, when it was acquired by Michael Grondahl of Rye, New Hampshire, with 3,631 miles showing on its odometer.

Mr. Grondahl would subsequently commission an authorized dealer to thoroughly service his new purchase including changing all fluids, replacing the timing belts and tensioners, refinishing the cam covers, and installing updated front and rear lower-suspension mounting forks. A Ferrari classiche inspection was also performed at that time.

In March 2018, this F40 was sold into current collector ownership through Ferrari of Long Island, who performed another major service as part of the purchase agreement. In November 2018, Ron Tonkin Gran Turismo in Wilsonville, Oregon, replaced both catalytic converter ECU units.

Presenting in excellent, original condition throughout, this F40 had covered only 3,779 miles at the time of cataloguing, and is offered with its books, tools, covers, window sticker, documentation, and Ferrari Classiche Red Book.

Introduced at Maranello to invited automotive press on July 21, 1987, an almost 90-year-old Enzo Ferrari stated, “I expressed my wish to the engineers – build a car to be the best in the world. And now the car is here.” Still impressive today, no Ferrari supercar collection can be considered complete without an F40.