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Chassis 74049, One of the Eight Known Prototypes.
The first F40 prototypes were not really F40s at all, but 288 GTO Evoluziones. These development cars were built wearing bodies that had a mixture of GTO and F40 styling cues under the. The F40 was presented to the public on July 21, 1987 at a press conference in Maranello. An aging Enzo Ferrari gave a speech praising the new F40 while drawing reference to the days when street cars could also be raced on the track.
Each F40 prototype differed in detail from the others, but there are visual differences from the later production cars to those prototypes made. The chassis on 74049 appears to be the same as the ones used on the production line, which is a steel tubular frame built by the Ferrari supplier Vaccari reinforced with carbon fiber and Kevlar panels. However, the body panels are lighter than the standard cars. The bonnet, doors and rear panels replicate the European production items but are thinner and lighter. The doors have Lexan side windows with sliding vents, as did the first fifty or so production models, there is no side impact protection in the doors and the belly pan is Kevlar versus steel, five rear side vents on each side are consistent with prototype form, and the Plexiglas rear engine cover has twenty small slots, as opposed to just eleven larger ones on the standard cars.
The side mirrors are mounted to the Lexan windows. The rear license plate area is flanked by twin red fog warning lights and the interior is mostly standard. The dashboard and instruments are standard Euro F40 and Sabelt racing five-point safety harnesses are fitted on both sides. The seats are upholstered in red, and with air conditioning
for added comfort. Underneath, things are subtly different. The suspension bushings are stiffer replacements similar to the F40 LM. Luongo reports the corner weights were within seven pounds side to side as delivered (convenient, as turning is difficult with no adjustable coil spring lands). 74049 is also fitted with the adjustable ride height option.
On the scales, 74049 weighed 2,800 pounds wet, almost 200 pounds less than the 2,976 pounds (dry) weight of a U.S.-spec car. 74049?s true singularity lies in its power plant; the standard F40 engine is a Tipo F120A, while the higher output F40 LM used a Tipo F120B. Interestingly, the engine plate on 74049 states that it has a Tipo F120AB.Although most major components are the same as a standard F40, 74049 is believed to produce 478bhp (tested at 7,500 rpm without air passing through the intercoolers).. Intercoolers are standard, but do not wear the BEHR lettering of the street units. The car has no catalytic converter and many of the brackets for the exhaust system are hand-fabricated. The air cleaners are also subtly different for no apparent reason. The fuel cell housing is made from carbon fiber.
The gearbox looks like a standard F40, and has a magnesium case like a 288 GTO. It is fitted with a three plate (vs. two on the standard F40) AP racing clutch with a special throw-out bearing. Another interesting detail was the number of parts on the car sporting hand-lettered part numbers that could be changed as the project developed.
After its testing days were over,74049 was retired and reportedly, it spent time in the Ferrari museum before ownership was transferred by Luca di Montezemolo to a member of the Italian Royal Family. It subsequently passed through three additional owners since 1995.
Overall, its condition is as one would expect having been regularly maintained by certified Ferrari specialists for the last 12 years. It remains in exemplary cosmetic condition and shows only limited wear from use. The paintwork, engine and bay, underbody and interior are all excellent condition.
The Prototype F40, chassis no. 74049 is an amazing cross between the production F40 and the competition-only F40 LM. And unlike the LM, it is a useable road car, as the last owner had driven the car to and from Ferrari events.More than anything; it gives the unique opportunity of owning a Ferrari prototype, which rarely comes available to anyone.
The car comes complete with a Ferrari Classiche certificate of authenticity available now