Look at what I got to drive today............

What can I say? The car is just unbelievable! I had driven a 288 GTO before, so add about 35% of the insanity, and now you have an F40. There is nothing quite like the rush you get when the turbos spool up...........I kept thinking of the coyote in bugs bunny, when he had the rocket strapped to his back. Loved the sounds of the turbos and wastegates crackling..........

Thank you so much to a very special customer to allow me this opportunity.
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That's awesome

 

Wow! I never get tired of looking at F40's. Here the car came out in the end of 1987 and it still looks new and exotic! What a great day it must have been!

 

That is great! Very happy for you. So if my memory serves me correct you have now driven the Enzo, 288 GTO and the F40. Now all that is left is the F50 I bet this is a day you will never forget.

 

Wow, that's just stunning!

 

Awesome! What an experience. I can't wait to do that one of these days!

 

A drive in an F40 is definately on my bucket list!

 

U lucky chap!

how does it handles?

 

+1. Do tell more.

 

i kinda hate you little bit right now

beautiful F40 (lucky dog!)

 

Lucky boy, car looks amazing!!!

 

Knowing it has no electronic aids, and knowing that the turbo lag is quite severe, I really didn't want to get into any uncompromising positions in someone else's really expensive car, so I just kept it in a straight line when indulging.

The clutch is just like a GTO's, where you have about an inch of travel. It really takes getting used to. Initial throttle tip-in sort of sticks for a moment, so that takes getting used to as well, because you need to give it more juice than what I have been used to to get it off the line without stalling it.

Really, if you are not on boost, the car is a dog. But under hard throttle, as soon as the turbos come on, HOLY CRAP! It's like getting hit in the face with a sledge hammer, not that I actually know what that's like, but I can only imagine. You just better be ready for it, and have both hands on the wheel, and your eyes on the road. This is not a car that you want a cell phone in - leave that behind. You do not want any distractions if you plan on getting on it. It is quite a rush!

Brakes are nice too. Very good feedback, and very capable.

If you keep in mind what year this car was built, and compare it to other Ferraris available at that time, how can you not be completely blown away by it? It is so raw, and so pure, one of the coolest automotive experiences in my life - and believe me, I have gotten to drive more exotics than most people.

All I need now is to drive an F50 - and that would complete my Ferrari supercar experience!

I would be very curious to see rolling acceleration times compared to a modern Ferrari. The car hits 60mph in what, like under 4 seconds? It certainly is not making that time until you get into boost, so the acceleration from like 30 to 60 is insane to make it in that quick of a time.

 

Interesting comment - "Breaks are nice too".

You see criticism from some on the amount of brake pressure to stop the car since is is non-assist. I suppose it is more important to those who track the car more than I do.

But I have to say, though probably in the minority, I like the way the brakes work. They just seem to go with the nature of the car.

Drew

 

That was a fun day when you were driving the 288
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Certainly, the brakes require more pressure than assisted ones, but the direct feel is very nice and communicative.

I agree 100%.....they are perfectly in character with the car.

 

Very nice. Congrats, and thanks for sharing.

(Love the F40, and especially the 288 GTO. Absolutely incredible machines, regardless of their age.)

 

That F40 passenger is sure one handsome chap if I do say so myself!

Probably one of my favorite days I've had in the past 5 years. The pic on my profile page is from when Dan was driving the 288

 

very cool!
was lucky enough to get a ride in that car when you guys had your open house:awesome

 

Sure looks like a great day at work!

 

Great write-up, and congratulations on your first F40 drive!

I have to say I totally agree (as with Drew) that the F40s brakes are good. You have to warm them up before asking them to perform severe tasks, but for road use they are more than adequate. In fact, I think if an F40s brakes are operating correctly and you don't feel they are adequate on the road, you are going too fast to be safe

A couple of things I should point out based on my F40 ownership & testing experience: if all you have is an inch of travel with the clutch pedal, it needs adjusting, or the clutch is on the way out. There should be 3 inches of travel with a distinct over-center feel as you depress the pedal past halfway.

Also, if working correctly and in the correct gear, I would not call the F40's turbo lag severe. The turbos spool up progressively and you can drive this car at increased rates of speed easily. Severe turbo lag is what we have with our 70s Porsche 930. When not on the boost, an F40 is just like driving a normally aspirated 308 around town, so its not that bad because around town you better not summon any boost

Its great that you shared this experience and hope to hear more reports as you test others.

Best

 

Extremely jealous. The F40 is by far my favorite car on the road. Just wish the ones in Atlanta were out a little more.

 

My car had severe turbo lag when I first got it so I understand what you are saying. Once Dave helms was done with it, the turbo lag is nearly gone. So some cars are better/worse than others. The only problem I have now is lack of grip! I can only imagine what the F40 would be like on the track with slicks... Great story thanks for posting

 

Joe, since you´re the expert perhaps yopu can explain me why the american version of the f40 as got that horrible black plastic or rubber thing above the rear bumper, separating it from the engine cover. The original version also as a black "line" that separates the bumpers from the rest of the car but it´s a lot thiner. Why is that?

 

That carbon sure has yellowed...

 

USA Department of Transportation mandates for that era.