The F40 needs no introduction. It is the quintessential ‘ultra car’, developed by
Ferrari to blast their competitors out of the limelight.
In 1984 Ferrari had launched their spectacular 288 GTO, a limited production
car which was to wrest the title of World’s Fastest Production Car away from
Lamborghini, and which had been developed for Group B racing. Michelotto
were engaged by Ferrari to develop the car for competition use, with close
collaboration by the factory and the Evolution version was extensively tested.
However, a change of direction by the F.I.A. saw the abandonment of Group B
racing and the GTO was obsolete even before it had turned a wheel in competition.
The development work was not wasted, however.
It is well-known that the F40 was launched in 1987 to celebrate Ferrari’s fortieth
year as a manufacturer. This car was to be Enzo Ferrari’s swansong; introduced
in the year before the great man died. It was the last car sanctioned personally
by him and was a fi tting testimo