1990 Ferrari F40

Conceived as the final road car overseen by Enzo Ferrari himself, and built to celebrate Ferrari’s 40th anniversary, the F40 epitomizes raw, analog engineering. This mid-engine, 2-door coupé was developed as the successor to the 288 GTO Evoluzione to compete against the Porsche 959 in FIA’s Group B program of 4-litre racing and rallying vehicles. However, the classification was canceled in 1986 due to safety concerns and fatal accidents. Ferrari was forced to pivot, transforming its race-bred prototype into a supercar that delivered competition-grade thrills to the street, culminating in the F40.

The F40’s 1986 creation was unusually secretive, with Enzo Ferrari demanding the car be completed in just eleven months. The car was dramatically unveiled to the public at the Civic Centre in Maranello on July 21, 1987, an event that cemented its status as the last great Ferrari developed under Enzo’s direct leadership. It emerged among Ferrari’s “Big Five” modern supercars as the fastest, most powerful, and most expensive production vehicle of its era. That same year, the F40 became the first street-legal production car to exceed just over 200 mph, setting a benchmark that redefined what a road car could be.

A total of 1,311 F40’s were produced between 1987 and 1996, with just 213 delivered to the United States. This Ferrari F40 is one of approximately 93 U.S.-market examples built in 1990. According to Ferrari historian Marcel Massini, it is estimated to have been built on March 24, 1990.

The F40’s low yet dynamic stance has become one of the most timeless and influential shapes in automotive history. Its lightweight, aircraft-like body, consisting of just eleven pieces, was designed by Pietro Camardella under Aldo Brovarone’s supervision. The car’s engine, gearbox, and mechanical systems take styling cues from the 288 GTO Evoluzione. Meanwhile, Pininfarina created an entirely new structure using Kevlar, carbon fiber, aluminum for maximum strength, and polycarbonate plastic windows and a windshield to minimize weight and reduce drag at high velocities. The car’s rear section, which includes a clear plastic engine cover and a large rear spoiler, is fully removable with a clamshell open for easy access to its mechanics. Like all F40’s, it is painted in Ferrari’s signature bright red “Rosso Corsa” color that still turns heads today.

Inside, the F40 is just as ruthlessly focused and stripped back as the exterior. Getting in requires contorted maneuvering around the carbon-fiber bucket seats. You will not see any carpeting, insulation, radio, sound system, glove box, leather trim, or even door panels. There are no interior door handles, only a pull-cable inside the hollow doors and a latch to open from the outside. One of the few soft touches is the carpeted dashboard, a subtle counterpoint within an otherwise bare-bones cockpit. Even the air conditioning is purposed for combating the engine from overheating rather than providing relief. This deliberate absence of comfort is precisely what keeps the F40 true to its identity and serves as a reminder of its racing pedigree. It was made for those who appreciate sheer speed above all else.

The 2.9L twin-turbocharged and intercooled V8 is one of Maranello’s most celebrated engines, producing 478 PS at 7,000 rpm and 426 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm. As Ferrari’s final turbocharged V8 for decades, it delivers an explosive boost that challenges larger-displacement exotics, capable of reaching 0–60 mph in 4.2 seconds. With a three-pipe exhaust system, rear wheel-drive, a three-spoke Momo steering wheel, and a chrome stalk five-speed gated manual transmission, nothing gets in the way between the driver and the car. The double-wishbone suspension, rack-and-pinion steering, and four-wheel disc brakes allow for stable and responsive control at the wheel. The very first F40’s were manufactured without any catalytic converters while those built for U.S. markets, including this car, were fitted with them on each exhaust bank beginning in 1990.

Despite mixed reception due to its simplistic design and early comparisons to more technologically advanced rivals like the Porsche 959, the F40’s visceral spirit earned lasting acclaim. Journalists and owners alike celebrate it as one of the greatest Ferraris ever built, a car whose unyielding nature could never be recreated under modern regulations. It remains a spectacle today, notably when footage of an F40 being hoisted by crane onto a yacht in Monaco during the 2023 Formula 1 Grand Prix went viral. This image was so striking that a still from the moment became the album cover for UK rap superstars Dave and Central Cee’s Split Decision EP.

This 1990 F40 reflects Enzo Ferrari’s legacy as his final vision and celebrates forty years of Ferrari. Its eye-catching aura, uncompromising construction, and undeniable historical importance make it an all time classic. Anchored in its era yet timeless in impact, the F40’s engineering and exhilarating driving experience simply cannot be replicated.