F40 bodied F355

I never got to see much of the Enzo Design car but that is interesting/ good information! I did speak to them though and I think (this is many years ago now) they said they had built 3 cars and two were owned by owners of F40s. It was certainly 'the best' replica I had seen but I'd never seen it in person and only had Fieros and alike to compare!

They seemed to disappear quite quickly when people started asking about how they were road registered as Ferraris! I can imagine a letter from an Italian lawyer would have killed their whole business pretty quickly as their bread and butter seemed to be F355 reps!

I think the route you are going is the best way and this is probably about to become my favourite thread on the internet! If it is not already!

I am an engineer at heart (well, by training and profession too) so all build threads, especially ones as complex as this, are like crack to me. The fact that the F40 is my favourite car of all time just adds icing to the cake!

Will be following this with real interest!

In terms of value, are you willing to divulge what you expect the total project to cost, or perhaps what you might insure it for? Seems like a very difficult thing to value! Might also be nice to get a thread in Readers Cars on PH?!

Also, in terms of registration, with such big changes, including body and possibly engine, would this not require an IVA? I'm not calling you out or anything - I am just intrigued as this is some serious inspiration to me!

I thought two major components needed to remain unmodified, to keep the same registration (basically), so any two of: Original chassis, original engine, original body.

I am in total agreement with this and think you are going the right route! I'd actually be happier sitting in an original Ferrari chassis than in a tube frame put together with my dodgy welding skills! Just wondered whether some of those links might give you some inspiration for the rear frame or bodywork .

If your car is all Ferrari (ok, some body parts may be 3rd party but most cars in the world will have the odd pattern panel at some point in their life) then it's a Ferrari to me! Look at the guys who were converting road cars to race cars and vice versa and developing them 50 years ago! They are still Ferraris and still worth a fortune today! Even the Replica 250s with original Ferrari parts are not cheap!

I have always harboured dirty thoughts of an F40 body on top of something modern, like the F458 but now you have me looking at that wrecked F360CS on US eBay and wondering... Sadly, it wouldn't be as d'imensionally helpful' as the 308 through 355! That modern Stratos didn't help my thought process!

Either way, a F360CS or F458 will be in my stable in the next year or so but I'll always be secretly a little jealous of you!

 

I think you have done the right thing with the F355 chassis as stretching a 308/328 would probably change the suspension kinematics somewhat. Not an insurmountable problem but I'd prefer the more modern equipment as well.

Interesting that your car isn't UK registered, ok, so let's park that topic for now and let you get on and finish the thing! I think registration/ modification/ IVA changed (again) quite recently though, giving the 2 out of 3 criteria, so maybe just bear that in mind when you look for an engine i.e. staying F355 may be for the best! However, if you just put the old plate back on and take it for an MOT - who cares?!

On a side note - I am very sorry to hear about your divorce and I hope that is settled with the minimum fuss/ pain etc. Hopefully this project is the very least you have to look forward to once it is all sorted.

You are on my main toolbar, so I can find this easy enough - PH is just my forum of choice and I know you are on there as I recognised the chassis picture, so just wondered if you would cross-post but that's just me being lazy/ selfish! Totally understand what you mean about the 'experts' but I thought you may also have some backlash on here

I am very much in the camp of 'you are saving a Ferrari', regardless of whether it looks like a different model at the end! If you were to ever sell it (I am guessing this would be a keeper) I doubt you would struggle to find a buyer. As per my understanding of what the Enzo Design cars were to be used for, this would be a nice car to rack the miles up on, if you had a low mileage F40 at home. Although I am in the Glickenhaus school of thought with not using your cars, I understand why they have become investment pieces for some!

 

Yes, the 308/328 chassis may be more technically accurate as a starting point for a F40 build, but then there is far more work involved and parts needed to convert it to longitudinal driveline, correct wheelbase, etc.
The Carpenter cars were 308/328 based, many still OEM wheelbase though, yet with 288 bodywork conversions, some with engine upgrades, but still transverse drivetrain, and also none that I have ever seen were completed with a proper level of interior trim work, but rather sparse race rough ready condition.
A V12 is interesting, but if you're on any kind of budget, even a generous one, then it's very likely to suck all that money up just to acquire & get running properly.
Instead IMO the 348/355 engine + manual trans is the way to go, as there have been other twin turbo conversions of that drivetrain already done, so you are not re-inventing the wheel.
The real key to success with these sorts of projects, is to not let any particular aspect go far-a-field, and carry off your time and money in developing or R&D.
That's why 90% of these projects get abandoned, because they get bogged down in overwhelmingly involved construction aspect(s), or overboard in parts purchases (or custom work, i.e. billet, carbon-fiber, etc.) that sucks up the entire build budget.
Looking forward to seeing more updates, and the bodywork arrive & mock-up!

 

Fair to say, no "Ferrari" engine/drivetrain is going to be cheap LOL

Being the Tipo V8 series of engines, from 308 to 360, perhaps finding a QV3.0 or QV3.2 engine is more possible, and better budget, also should bolt up to the 355 manual transmission directly?
With a little work, the QV heads can flow quite well, even though it is not as much of a concern when talking boosted application, so you might not see a big advantage with using the 355 engine, for a twin turbo set-up
Instead perhaps better to focus engine build more on being robust, micro-polished crank, stronger rods & forged pistons (lower CR if needed) good head sealing (cometic MLS + O-rings?), and only mild head work to clean up ports, new guides/seats, SS valves, etc.

Apparently the FAST ECU system works well for the F-car engines, as it works with the OEM sensors used, and has provisions for Boost mapping, though they are a bit more $ than other systems, could be well worth it in the ease of integration & set-up to get running?

 

You may be able to get a v12 for not much more than an 8, but it will cost you in time and money double to get it to fit when an 8 will drop right in (and be more correct for an f40). However, don't let that stop you . There are a couple of flat 12 355 conversions, so at least that wouldn't be reinventing the wheel if you got ahold of a nice 512m engine/transaxle.

 

Great project ! i have a question for you , do you know of anybody fabricating the F40 rear window, the louvered plexi or Lexan? i am working on a R8 project and i want one to adapt to my engine hatch. Thanks and great ideas !!

 

Nothing much to add other than to say I love the idea of the F599 V12 and it is something I had in mind, once upon a time, having seen the Simpson car and been having daydreams along the lines of your project.

It's still Ferrari and since teh car isn't an 'original' F40, why not update the driveline and have an F40 with an almost F50/Enzo-esque tribute behind the driver?

Loving it! Good luck with everything!

Where are you based, by the way? Would love to see this during build, if at all possible?

 

Good man - Would love to come and take a look.

Should have moved back to the UK (from the US) by summer, so hopefully the timing will work.

I've just bought a fully restored Clio Williams (in storage in the UK) and that deserves a trip to Wales!

There must be a few Ferrari V12s in various high end breakers round the world, huh?

 

Ask Norm. Pretty sure he used to have them even though he doesn't advertise it.

Norm's Fiberglass

 

Hello and thankyou,
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Man, what a dream project. Kudos to you, and please keep us informed! Where are you located?

 

Just saw this-honestly I cringed when I read the title but you are doing this up right. Keep the pics rolling in!

 

Hello, Paul!

Fascinating thread! Will definitely be checking it every once and while for updates! I'm involved in similar (yet not as challenging) project myself (http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/308-328/359739-chassis-37313-resurrection-308-gtbi.html) so if there's anything I can ever give you a hand with, just let me know. I realize F-40s are quite different than 308s, but some bits might be similar.

Best of lucks,

Dan

 

Love it.




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Awesome project !

 

great project,please keep us up to date

 

Looking forward to following this!