Buy tip: the ‘most powerful and radical street-legal Ferrari F40 ever made’

August 11, 2022

Ferrari F40

In 1987 Ferrari celebrated its 40th anniversary with the introduction of a now legendary model: the F40. At the heart of Pininfarina’s design masterpiece is a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V8, good for 478 hp. With a staggering top speed of 324 mph, it was one of the fastest cars of its time. The one in the RM Sotheby’s auction, was delivered to the Netherlands in 1989 by Kroymans, and remained a “normal” Ferrari F40 for the first three years of its life.

Prepared for racing

After three years of driving around the Netherlands, the F40 was prepared for racing by Cavallino Tuning. Cavallino Tuning was the racing branch of Ferrari Kroymans. Henceforth, the Ferrari went through life as F40 ‘Competizione’ and was fitted with racing shocks, a different instrument cluster and it received a new color. The original red paint was repainted to yellow. The F40’s racing career began with a Dutch racing team, then after two years it moved to the United Kingdom. The racing team from the UK, together with Michelotto, screwed up the power of the Ferrari to 700 hp. In 2019, the car was still on display at the German car show Techno-Classica in Essen.

Tuning to 1,000 hp

After quite a few tough years on the track, the car “retired” in 2019. The F40 came into the hands of its current owner, who had the car completely restored at the Zanasi Group in Maranello, just around the corner from Ferrari. The engine was also addressed. The power was not reduced to its original value, but was increased even further. From 700 hp to 1,000 hp. The car also received another lick of paint. This time not a typical Ferrari color, but rather an Audi color: Grigio Nardo, better known as Nardo Grey. Cost of restoration in Maranello: a whopping 123,000 euros.

What does a Ferrari F40 cost?

Now the gray Ferrari is for sale at car auction house RM Sotheby’s, with the price marking “price on request. For a “regular” Ferrari F40 occasion, you have to put down at least 1.5 million these days. Secretly we hope that a Dutchman buys the car, because then he gets his original Dutch license plate back. Will you bring it to our little country?