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The Ferrari F40 what was technical tour de force intended to bring together 40 years of learning and achievement in one road vehicle to celebrate the first 40 remarkable years in the story of Ferrari S.p.A.
With a tested 200 mph capability the F40 held the title of worlds fastest production car, when it was launched in 1987, to underline it's technical superiority.
The F40 was not only the companies most powerful and fastest car, but at US$ 400,000 in 1987, it was also the most expensive car Ferrari had ever offered for sale.
1,315 examples of this type were manufactured between 1987 and 1992 the last of them selling for a rumoured US$1.6 million.
Many of the technical specifications were advanced from the Ferrari (288) GTO including the twin turbo V8 engine which in this application was increased to 3 litres / 183 cui producing 470 hp.
Keeping such a powerful motor cool in such a small vehicle required ventilation through the rear screen.
Until 1990 F40's like this particular 1989 example, seen at the Italian Auto Moto Festival, were bereft of power sapping catalytic converters.
During Bonneville Speedweek 2006 Amir Rosenbaum recorded a top speed of 226 mph in his lightly modified F40, standard versions could reach 120 mph in just 11 seconds faster than both the Lamborghini Countach and Porsche 959 which were it's main competitors.
Enzo Ferrari knew when setting out the specifications of the F40 that this would be his final engineering statement and it was indeed the last vehicle bearing his own name that he was to commission before his death aged 90 in August 1988.
Thanks for joining me on the F40 Edition of 'Gettin' a lil' psycho on tyres', I hope you will join me again tomorrow. Don't forget to come back now !
