Back to the ‘80s grindstone, and boy have I got an icon for you. Sure, by virtue of its prancing horse badge, some might argue it’s iconic by default. But there are Ferraris and there are Ferraris, if you catch my meaning. This is the latter.
In the mid-‘80s, Ferrari developed the 288 GTO, basically a heavily modified 308 GTB with a twin-turbocharged engine. Then, with a view to compete in Group B rallying, the 288 GTO Evoluzione was being prepared when, after only a handful had been made, the Group B series was suspended in 1986.
Nicola Materazzi, who led the Group B effort, figured that something could be salvaged from the whole affair. If Pininfarina were able to re-body the 288 GTO Evo into a new bespoke model, there was the potential for an extremely fast (and appropriate) means to celebrate Ferrari’s 40th anniversary. Enzo Ferrari gave the project his blessing, but time was going to be tight – they had less than a year to get the car ready for showtime.
The idea was to produce something truly and uncompromisingly fast, which entailed several ingredients: a very slippery shape, an extremely spartan interior and a very powerful engine. The engine, a 2.9 litre V8, was already sorted out, providing 470-480hp (several numbers were quoted, even in the ‘80s).
The F40’s rather brutal shape was created by Pininfarina with just two goals in mind: aerodynamic efficiency and appropriate cooling for the engine and brakes. Hence the multiple NACA ducts (eight in total) scattered about and that massive rear spoiler. The result is not altogether graceful, but at least it’s distinctive. The body panels were entirely made of Kevlar-reinforced composite material – a world first. The F1-style chassis was a tubular steel spaceframe, with Kevlar reinforcements. This all made for a pretty light 1150kg in European spec.
Alas, the interior of the car I captured was already occupied, so here is a file photo – I believe from Ferrari themselves – found online. The folks who clamoured that contemporary Ferraris were too decadent must have been happy with the F40’s barren cabin: cords to open the doors, no carpets, no leather and no radio; the only creature comfort was factory-installed A/C.
Said air-con was necessary to keep the cockpit from turning into a sauna. The first 50-100 cars, like our CC, did not even have roll-down windows, making do only with sliding Lexan perspex units — not great for ventilation. Thermal and sound insulation was also minimal, in the interest of lightness. This also made for a very noisy cabin, apparently.
But neither comfort nor looks were the point. The 0-100kph time of under 4 seconds and the dizzying top speed (324 kph or 201mph) justified the F40’s existence in the eyes of many. This was the fastest production car on the planet, everything else was inconsequential.
Still, the challenge of designing and launching the F40 in time for the marque’s 40th anniversary in June 1987 had been attained. Enzo Ferrari, now 89 years old and in poor health, was at least able to savour the moment as the car that bore his name made yet another huge leap forward in furthering the marque’s glory. He passed away the next year.
Ferrari initially intended to limit production to 400 units; this soon grew to 1000 in the face of an avalanche of orders. In the end, just over 1300 were made between 1987 and 1992. Some felt Ferrari slightly overplayed their hand in selling so many of these (everything being relative). On the other hand, parent company Fiat were keen to strike the hammer while the Kevlar and the market were hot. And nothing was hotter than the F40, at the time.
While the 288 greenhouse is clearly visible, it’s still crazy how cohesive these look. They weren’t made for beauty but they come across much better than you’d expect given their origin story. By comparison the Porsche 959 seems a clumsier execution to my eyes.
No sound deadener ok keep weight down and the noise in, the noise is one of the best parts and the speed, these were the only car that could outpace a Lotus carlton sedan from memory, not the prettiest Ferrari ive seen but it is a Ferrari.