It caused a sensation when it was revealed in June 1987, and 35 years on the Ferrari F40 is still a spectacular example of the supercar revolution of which it was a founding member. This weighty large format book, 30cms x 30cms, provides an expansive and detailed history of the model through its 240 pages and some 400 images.

It traces the model’s path from the GTO (288) through the Evoluzione and the prototypes to the production version, with plenty of detailed information along the way, together with a gallery of images of the production line in period. There is a also a technical analysis of the complete car and its competition variants, with minutiae like the location of the body number etching and stamping locations on the car! A further insight into the model is provided by comments from past and present owners and workshops in the chapter on “Owning and Running a F40”.

Then there are the rarities, like the one-off example produced for then Fiat Supremo, the late Gianni Agnelli, with a Valeo clutch arrangement, and the example modified with hand controls for the late Clay Regazzoni. How about the racing example fitted with a 550 Maranello V12 engine by Simpson Engineering in England, or the car modified for a speed record on the Bonneville Salt Flats. Then there are Pininfarina modified examples, most with right hand drive, for the Brunei Royal Family, with a list of their chassis numbers – Ferrari enthusiasts do like their chassis numbers! Although the model didn’t excel in international competition, it did have some fine results and its international career spanned from 1989 through to 1996, quite a lengthy period for a single model. The racing history is covered in great detail, amplified by charts of the race history, in both chronological order and by individual chassis number.

This is a really comprehensive study of the model, written in an easy to read style, with an eclectic selection of images, all on high quality paper, a must-have for any Ferrari enthusiast, and definitely for fans of the F40, of which there are many.

Publisher Porter Press International Ltd
ISBN Number: 978-1-913089-42-9
UK Retail Price: £69

Bjoern Schmidt


Related Material

F40 Gallery

F40 Auction Results (2014-2021)