Today's Ferrari Friday blog is dedicated to the person who first suggested Ferrari Friday blogs to me many months ago, Jr Cracker, otherwise known to me as Mike who's Birthday it is tomorrow.
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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 !
The week started with a look at this pre '53 split screen Chevrolet Advanced Design Pickup operated in UK drag racing by Squadron Racing.
The 1948 Morris 8 Series E featured on Tuesday was a pre WW2 design, a fore runner of the Morris Monor this particular car is known as Katie.
The life of the late Howard Strawford, who saved Castle Combe from closure in the 1970's, was celebrated on Easter Monday at the Howards Day meeting which provided plenty of action from the eleven race schedule. Above Elliot Stafford lifts a wheel going into Tower Corner in the first of the two Super Mighty Mini races on his way to becoming the second two time winner of the day.
Geoffrey Horton kindly sent the photo's of the Continental Mark II that was the subject of Americana Thursday's post.
Ferrari Friday's post revisited the 1956 Ferrari 860 Monza #0604M, which I first looked at two years ago, with some fresh photographs taken at recent Goodwood Revivals.
Yesterday's post featured one of 55 Lotus Esprit Sport 350's built, one of only two painted white, that it's owner Rob has tweaked to give 500 hp.
Today's post features Bruce McLarens first Formula One car the McLaren Ford M2B, Bruce opted to modify a Ford Indy motor to compete in the 1966 championship, but when this proved too heavy and underpowered he tried a lighter and equally underpowered Serenissima. By the end of the '66 season the Ford motor was back as seen in the car above.
Thanks for joining me on this "GALPOT Weekly #15/13" edition of "Gettin' a li'l psycho on tyres" and thanks to all those who have spread the word by sharing by blogs on fb, Ryan ;-), and pressed the "Like" button when the blogs have appeared on the "Gettin' a li'l psycho on tyres" facebook page. I hope you have enjoyed catching up using the links and that you will join me daily during the week ahead, don't forget to come back now !
