Harris is funny. I'd normally say "F40", but man the F50 is growing on me. No matter, I couldn't afford either.
I have never seen an F50 in person. I do, however, remember when I was a young college student and the F40 came out. Roger Mauro Ferrari on West Colfax Avenue in Denver had one on the showroom floor, and a friend and I went down to see it. It was the most delightfully outrageous car I had ever seen, even more so than the Lamborghini Countach. There was much hoopla about the 40th anniversary of Ferrari and the ultimate supercar built to commemorate it. I still have my issue of Car and Driver from that year, with an in-depth article about the F40 replete with the requisite hyperbolic language. Much later, after I got my own Ferrari, I got to know two different owners of F40s. In my mind, the F40 is still the "Ultimate supercar:" raw, unrefined and wickedly powerful. Perhaps it is because Ferrari didn't wait another ten years before bringing out the F50. Perhaps it's because I never got to see it at its unveiling, perhaps it's because the F50 came after; in any case, the F50 just never excited me the way the F40 did - and still does.
A tip of the hat to the anonymous owner of both cars for allowing Mr. Harris to drive them the way they were intended to be driven. Simply marvelous.
Fantastic video. Despite his (and most people's) impressions, I could never pass up the noise of the F50 for whatever minimal differences that a hack like me would notice in the way the two cars drive. The F50 remains the ultimate for me.
Ah thanks. I hadn't seen it and was surprised it hadn't been posted. I'll take a look at the other postings. For me, if anyone wants to know why I love cars and why I'm a petrol head, this short film says all there is to say. Love it.
I've always wondered why more folks aren't fans of the F50. But of course I would take either......it's like trying to figure out which SI swimsuit model is the hottest (any of them)
No drivers aids, stick shift, connected, challenging. Sad that kind of fun is gone from anything you can buy today. Awesome video!
It's funny to me that the F40 doesn't really seem styled, it is very functional looking, not really beautiful, maybe just functionally mean looking. The F50 has style with the F1 nose impression and deep ducts in the hood, fancy wheels. It looks like Pinninfarina tried to give it some style. The funny part is I like the way the F40 looks better. But I'd love a ride in both!
Have driven on the track and been passed by both. Each was a thrill. I like the fact that the F50 can be topless. the F40 is a real driver's car...turbo lag and no ABS. Guessing the F50 is easier to drive but that is just an assumption. It would take some time for me to learn how to drive the F40/50 but with enough seat time I believe I could do it. Do not think the the speed dips on my street would allow me to garage the car at home...so I would have to use off-site parking...which I have. Conclusion: I believe I could be happy with either or both but too much $$$ for me so I will have to be contented with the 458 Spider which is faster than a F40 and much easier to drive. And I must confess I enjoy all the modern gizmos on the 458 I am a very happy camper indeed.
BTW the recent Forza comparison of the F40 and the 458 Italia is instructive. PS wheelspin on the track is not the fastest way around.
Are you strictly speaking about your shoe size being a hindrance or is the foot well too small for your liking? I wear a 10.5 and found the Porsche 997 way too confining for me yet not so with the F40. Apples and Oranges I guess.
"There was one other aim of the video, and that was to understand just what the F40 felt like back in 1989. You see when it comes on boost in 2013 it is still shockingly fast compared to modern super sports cars, but back when a 911 Carrera had 231hp, it must have seemed impossibly powerful." First time I saw the F40 was like a religious experience. Never had it before or since.
