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Photo of a Ferrari F40

Ferrari F40

Enzo Ferrari's last personal sign-off, powered by a 2.9-liter twin-turbo V8.1

Researched October 29, 2026 from 33 sources

At a glance

0250500
471–478 hpPower
0510
4.1–4.7 s0–100 km/h
0175350
315–324 km/hTop speed
0300600
575–577 N·mTorque
07501,500
1,254–1,369 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.1459

Engine
Road car: 2.9 L twin-turbo V8, with water-cooled IHI turbos19
Layout
Road car: longitudinal mid-engine, rear-wheel drive1
Gearbox
Road: 5-speed manual; GTE: 6-speed sequential by 199617

The story

Built for Ferrari's 40th anniversary and the last car Enzo Ferrari personally approved, the F40 combined a twin-turbo V8 and Kevlar/carbon-fiber panels with a cabin stripped of a stereo and conventional door handles.1

1986: 10 June: Materazzi's engineering sprint19861987: 21 July: Ferrari's 40th-birthday gift19871988: 321 km/h at Nardo19881989: Alesi puts the LM on the podium19891991: 317 km/h and 1.01 g in US testing19911993: CSAI-GT wins 8 of 9 Italian GT rounds19931996: 3.6 liters and a sequential gearbox1996 Dino 206 GT: 1967–1969Dino 246 GT/GTS: 1969–1974Ferrari 308 GTB/GTS: 1975–1985Ferrari 288 GTO (F114): 1984–1987F114Ferrari 288 GTO Evoluzione: Introduced 1986Ferrari 288 GTO EvoluzioneFerrari F40 (F120): 1987–1992F120Ferrari F50: 1995–1997 197019801990200020102020
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones11215202122
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1967–1969Dino 206 GT
1969–1974Dino 246 GT/GTS
1975–1985Ferrari 308 GTB/GTS
1984–1987Ferrari 288 GTO (F114)
Introduced 1986Ferrari 288 GTO Evoluzione
1987–1992Ferrari F40 (F120)
1995–1997Ferrari F50
198610 June: Materazzi's engineering sprint
198721 July: Ferrari's 40th-birthday gift
1988321 km/h at Nardo
1989Alesi puts the LM on the podium
1991317 km/h and 1.01 g in US testing
1993CSAI-GT wins 8 of 9 Italian GT rounds
19963.6 liters and a sequential gearbox
  1. 1986

    10 June: Materazzi's engineering sprint

    Nicola Materazzi leads engineering. Pietro Camardella draws the Pininfarina body, supervised by Aldo Brovarone and directed by Leonardo Fioravanti.12

  2. 1987

    21 July: Ferrari's 40th-birthday gift

    The F40 debuts in Maranello with Kevlar and carbon-fiber panels; its 1,100 kg specification denotes dry weight.13

  3. 1988

    321 km/h at Nardo

    The F40 records 321 km/h against a 324 km/h factory claim; a specially prepared Porsche 959 reaches 339 km/h and the Ruf CTR 342 km/h.4

  4. 1989

    Alesi puts the LM on the podium

    Jean Alesi takes the Ferrari France LM to 3rd in its IMSA debut at Laguna Seca on October 15.1

  5. 1991

    317 km/h and 1.01 g in US testing

    The US-spec road car clocks 12.1 seconds at 196 km/h over the quarter-mile, reaches 317 km/h and pulls 1.01 g on the skidpad.5

  6. 1993

    CSAI-GT wins 8 of 9 Italian GT rounds

    Marco Brand takes the Italian GT title with 8 wins from 9 rounds; Michelotto's CSAI-GT pairs 590 hp with a 1,050 kg racing weight.6

  7. 1996

    3.6 liters and a sequential gearbox

    The GTE gains 3.6 liters, a 6-speed sequential gearbox and carbon-ceramic discs; all 4 F40s retire at Le Mans.178

Every generation

  • Dino 206 GT
    Dino 206 GT1967–1969
  • Dino 246 GT/GTS
    Dino 246 GT/GTS1969–1974
  • Ferrari 308 GTB/GTS
    Ferrari 308 GTB/GTS1975–1985
  • Ferrari 288 GTO
    F1141984–1987
  • Ferrari 288 GTO Evoluzione
    Ferrari 288 GTO EvoluzioneIntroduced 1986
  • Ferrari F40
    F1201987–1992
  • Ferrari F50
    Ferrari F501995–1997

Power over the years

From 471 hp to 780 hp in 2 years.

0200400600800 198619881990199219941996 hp 1987 · 471 hp · Road car (standard rating)1989 · 691 hp · Competizione1989 · 780 hp · LM IMSA GTO racer1991 · 478 hp · US-spec road car (test rating)1991 · 590 hp · GT racer (intake-restricted)1996 · 612 hp · GTE racer, 3.6 L 780 hp LM IMSA GTO racer 471 hp Road car (standard rating)
15101112
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
1987471Road car (standard rating)
1989691Competizione
1989780LM IMSA GTO racer
1991478US-spec road car (test rating)
1991590GT racer (intake-restricted)
1996612GTE racer, 3.6 L

Versions

10 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • Standard

    F40

    1987–1992

    471 hp

  • Standard

    F40 non-cat, non-adjust

  • F40 US-spec

    Standard

    F40 US-spec

    1990–1992

    477 hp

    213 built

  • Standard

    F40 sliding-window road car

  • F40 LM

    Racing

    F40 LM

    1989–1994

    19 built

  • F40 Competizione

    Racing

    F40 Competizione

    691 hp

    10 built

  • F40 GT / CSAI-GT

    Racing

    F40 GT / CSAI-GT

    1991–1992

    590 hp

    7 built

  • F40 GTE

    Racing

    F40 GTE

    1995–1997

    612 hp

    7 built

  • Special

    F40 Brunei Pininfarina conversions

    7 built

  • Special

    F40 Valeo

    1989

    478 hp

    1 built

How to spot one

Look for

  • Full-width rear wing forms a broad basket-handle shape above the tail.317
  • Numerous NACA air ducts dot the bodywork.13
  • A slotted clear engine cover puts the mid-mounted V8 on display.5
  • Three large exhaust outlets cluster in the center of the tail.13
  • Road cars wear five-spoke Speedline split rims with center-lock hubs.3

Year by year

  1. Early vs. later road cars

    About the first 50 road cars have sliding side windows; later cars use conventional wind-down windows.15

  2. 1989–1990 (LM)

    LM racers retain pop-ups in 1989, then gain large covered fixed headlights in 1990.1112

  3. 1996 (GTE)

    GTE aero adds a revised wing, splitter, diffuser and door mirrors; intakes move to the rear fenders and front fenders gain extractors.11

Against its rivals

  • Porsche 959 / 959 S

    F40 vs Porsche 959 / 959 S

    Top speed

    F40321 km/h
    Porsche 959 / 959 S339 km/h
    14
  • Ruf CTR

    F40 vs Ruf CTR

    Top speed

    F40321 km/h
    Ruf CTR342 km/h
    4

  • F40 vs Mercedes AMG 6.0 32 V

    Top speed

    F40321 km/h
    Mercedes AMG 6.0 32 V288 km/h
    4
  • Lamborghini Diablo

    F40 vs Lamborghini Diablo

    Moroso average lap lower is better

    F4089.4 s
    Lamborghini Diablo94.8 s
    23

Prices

Value today $2.8M–$5.2M272829

Price when newAuction saleValue todayPrices on a log scale
$100K$1M$10M$100M 19901995200020052010201520202025 Value today: $2,755,000–$5,230,000 1990 · $440,000 · US list, approximate1991 · $399,150 · US base 1991 · $399,150 · US base price, 1991 model year 2024 · $1,792,500 · 1991 F40 Minty Forty, >31,000 km, Monterey2024 · $3,360,000 · 1990 F40 non-cat/non-adjust, <1,200 km, Miami2025 · $3,580,000 · 1991 US, 3,435 miles, RM Sotheby’s2025 · $3,180,000 · 1989 restored non-cat, 17,300 km, RM Sotheby’s2025 · $3,855,000 · 1990 non-cat/non-adjust, 360 km, RM Sotheby’s2025 · $11,005,000 · 1993 LM by Michelotto, RM Sotheby’s2025 · $3,710,000 · 1989 Swiss non-cat/non-adjust, 11,882 km, RM Sotheby’s2025 · $3,886,250 · 1990 ex-Alain Prost, 2,961 miles, RM Sotheby’s2025 · $3,041,750 · 1991 F40 cat/adjustable, 18,933 km, The Zoute Sale2025 · $2,755,000 · 1992 F40 Blue Chip, modified, Monterey2026 · $8,365,000 · 1991 US, ex-Lee Iacocca, 320 miles, The Monterey Auction2026 · $5,230,000 · 1992 F40, 1,418 km, Miami2026 · $4,986,688 · 1989 F40 non-cat/non-adjust, 1,799 km, The Monaco Auction $11.0M RM Sotheby’s, 2025
25151617272829303233
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
1991Launch price$399,150US base price, 1991 model year
1990Price when new$440,000US list, approximate
1991Price when new$399,150US base
2024Auction sale$1,792,5001991 F40 Minty Forty, >31,000 km, Monterey
2024Auction sale$3,360,0001990 F40 non-cat/non-adjust, <1,200 km, Miami
2025Auction sale$3,580,0001991 US, 3,435 miles, RM Sotheby’s
2025Auction sale$3,180,0001989 restored non-cat, 17,300 km, RM Sotheby’s
2025Auction sale$3,855,0001990 non-cat/non-adjust, 360 km, RM Sotheby’s
2025Auction sale$11,005,0001993 LM by Michelotto, RM Sotheby’s
2025Auction sale$3,710,0001989 Swiss non-cat/non-adjust, 11,882 km, RM Sotheby’s
2025Auction sale$3,886,2501990 ex-Alain Prost, 2,961 miles, RM Sotheby’s
2025Auction sale$3,041,7501991 F40 cat/adjustable, 18,933 km, The Zoute Sale
2025Auction sale$2,755,0001992 F40 Blue Chip, modified, Monterey
2026Auction sale$8,365,0001991 US, ex-Lee Iacocca, 320 miles, The Monterey Auction
2026Auction sale$5,230,0001992 F40, 1,418 km, Miami
2026Auction sale$4,986,6881989 F40 non-cat/non-adjust, 1,799 km, The Monaco Auction
2026Value today$2,755,000–$5,230,000

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 10 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 13 stories from its legend
    • “317 km/h and a 1.01 g skidpad run”
    • “Alesi's Laguna Seca podium on debut”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 7 generations

  • Market

    • 4 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

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Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 33 sources
  1. Ferrari F40 - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  2. 1991 Ferrari F40 | The Monterey Auction 2026 | RM Sotheby's backoffice.rmsothebys.com
  3. Ferrari F40 buying guide | evo evo.co.uk
  4. Porsche 959, F 40, Ruf CTR, AMG 6.0 im Vergleich auto-motor-und-sport.de
  5. Tested: 1991 Ferrari F40 Feasts on the Timid caranddriver.com
  6. Vehicle Archive - Ferrari F40 GT/LM - Vehicle Sales - DK Engineering dkeng.co.uk
  7. 1991 - 1992 Ferrari F40 GT - Images, Specifications and Information ultimatecarpage.com
  8. 24 Hours Centenary – The historic Ferrari F40 and 333 SP from the 1990s 24h-lemans.com
  9. The F40 at 30 ferrari.cn
  10. Ferrari F40: History and Specifications of a Legendary Supercar motortrend.com
  11. The Difference Between All Ferrari F40 Race Cars | ROSSOautomobili rossoautomobili.com
  12. 1991 - 1992 Ferrari F40 GT - Images, Specifications and Information ultimatecarpage.com
  13. Ferrari F40 Buyers Guide – MotorStars motor-stars.com
  14. Ferrari F40: Buying guide and review (1987-1992) | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  15. Everything You Need to Know about the Ferrari F40 | Automobiles | RM Sotheby's | Sotheby’s sothebys.com
  16. The Six Most Expensive Ferrari F40s | Automobiles | RM Sotheby's | Sotheby’s sothebys.com
  17. Menace | Issue 196 | Forza | The Magazine About Ferrari forza-mag.com
  18. Ferrari F40 RHD - Restoration - DK Engineering dkeng.co.uk
  19. F 40 Valeo | Mitorosso.com – Ferrari Online Magazine mitorosso.com
  20. Dino 206 GT and 246 GT - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  21. Ferrari 308 GTB/GTS - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  22. Ferrari 288 GTO - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  23. Tested: 1992 Ferrari F40 Meets Lamborghini Diablo caranddriver.com
  24. Ferrari F40 / F40 LM / F40 GTE chassis 74045 — Supercar Nostalgia supercarnostalgia.com
  25. Turbo OutRun - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  26. First Look Flashback: 1987 Ferrari F40 roadandtrack.com
  27. 1992 Ferrari F40 | Monterey 2025 | RM Sotheby's backoffice.rmsothebys.com
  28. 1992 Ferrari F40 | Miami 2026 | RM Sotheby's rmsothebys.com
  29. Bonhams Cars : 1991 Ferrari F40 Coupé Chassis no. ZFFGJ34B000090667 Engine no. 28385 carsd.bonhams.com
  30. 1989 Ferrari F40 | The Monaco Auction 2026 | RM Sotheby's rmsothebys.com
  31. 1993 Ferrari F40 LM by Michelotto | Monterey 2025 | RM Sotheby's rmsothebys.com
  32. 1991 Ferrari F40 ‘Minty Forty’ | Monterey 2024 | RM Sotheby's rmsothebys.com
  33. 1990 Ferrari F40 | Miami 2024 | RM Sotheby's rmsothebys.com
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • backoffice.rmsothebys.com
  • evo.co.uk
  • auto-motor-und-sport.de
  • caranddriver.com
  • dkeng.co.uk
  • ultimatecarpage.com
  • 24h-lemans.com
  • ferrari.cn
  • motortrend.com
  • rossoautomobili.com
  • motor-stars.com
  • autoexpress.co.uk
  • sothebys.com

Photo credits

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