• One of Ferrari’s greatest road cars, built to celebrate the company's 40th anniversary
• Remarkably low mileage with just 9,538 kilometres from new
• Built in Maranello as a “cat, non-adjust” F40, delivered new to Italy
• Matching-numbers engine and gearbox verified by accompanying Ferrari Classiche certification
• Diligently maintained during the current ownership

Please note this lot has entered the EU on a temporary import bond, which must be cancelled either by exporting the lot outside of the EU on an approved Bill of Lading with supporting customs documentation or by paying the applicable VAT and import duties to have the lot remain in the EU.

Veuillez noter que ce lot a été introduit dans l'UE avec un cautionnement d'importation temporaire, qui devra être soldé par réexportation hors de l'UE avec un connaissement (bon de chargement) accompagné de ses documents douaniers, ou par paiement de la TVA et des droits de douane applicables s'il doit demeurer dans l'UE.

Even by modern standards the F40 is a ferociously quick car, which is remarkable considering that the first prototype appeared at Maranello over 35 years ago. That prototype was ordered at the behest of Enzo Ferrari himself, believing that Maranello had drifted too far from its competition roots. The ambitious 288 Evoluzione project was never realised as a victim of Group B racing being outlawed but it provided a perfect basis from which to develop the F40 over an 11-month period.

The 288’s twin-turbo V-8 was bored out and de-stroked to allow the engine to produce more power with only a small capacity increase. The body was radically redesigned with greater use of Kevlar-carbon fibre composite, thus reducing the overall weight, while the shape was inspired by the 288 Evoluzione further to additional refinement by Pininfarina. Inside the cockpit, the luxury that Ferrari’s customers had become familiar with was entirely disposed of; the steering wheel was the only component to remain leather-covered. Carbon fibre panels and Stoffa Vigogna-covered Kevlar seats made the occupants fully aware of the intentions of the F40, while the dashboard was heavily inspired by the 288 Evoluzione with a cloth-covered dash and minimal controls.

When the F40 was revealed to the world, it weighed just 1,100 kilograms and delivered a peak power of 478 brake horsepower at 7,000 rpm. Stunned magazine editors published barely believable acceleration statistics of 0-100 km/h in roughly 4.5 seconds, while top speed measurements very nearly hit 320 km/h. To handle this performance safely, Pirelli developed an asymmetric P-Zero tyre which is still used today. Before the arrival of the McLaren F1, the F40 was widely regarded as the fastest car in the world. Despite being born out of the death of Group B, the F40 would go on to become a popular mainstay of GT racing, particularly with outstanding qualifying performances at Le Mans and in BPR GT.

Chassis 85308 was delivered on 30 May 1990 by Autexpo Egna Ora as a “cat, non-adjust” example, as noted by a copy of the warranty book. Delivered in the usual Rosso Corsa over Vigogna cloth interior, this F40 went to its first owner, Massimo Zanetti of Treviso via New Car di Giudo Zara & C. S.a.s. It was serviced by Italauto Kees van Stokkum of Holland on 15 August 2000 when its mileage was noted as 4,072 kilometres. On 19 December 2000 it was registered in the Netherlands; prior to the current ownership, a repair was carried out to the body panel beneath the passenger side rear quarter window, along with the offside rear corner. Importantly, the body is noted as having its original panels in the accompanying Ferrari Classiche certification and during a recent inspection the matching body numbers were found on the front and rear clams, and the doors.

In June 2014 this F40 was purchased by the consigning owner through the official Ferrari dealer, Kroymans. A full service was carried out by Kroymans, including replacement of the fuel tanks, belts, tensioners, and tyres. Once completed, the car was registered in the UK in August 2014. Since arriving in the UK, the F40 has been fastidiously maintained by Ferrari specialists Barkaways and Simon Furlonger Specialist Cars, and during this time the fuel tank was replaced in 2017 under warranty. The most recent service was carried out by Furlonger in April 2021, which included replacement belts, and fewer than 100 kilometres have been covered since.

This low mileage F40 presents as a well-maintained example, further enhanced by its Classiche certification confirming that it retains its matching numbers engine and gearbox. The F40 is documented by marque expert Marcel Massini, further to a copy of the warranty booklet, and it is accompanied by its original tools and tyre inflator, exhaust and a car cover. This truly exceptional example is worthy of inclusion in some of the finest collections, or simply enjoyed on the road by an enthusiast.
To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/pa23.