F40 PROTOTYPES

Never seen this picture Of2worlds... Great angle from the rear.
What do you think of that day, which feelings?
It seems that the fashion at the time was the blue shirt for men.

 

A special day with all the important Ferrari people there. It was an early present for the faithful Ferrari customers after the 288 GTO success. A modest increase from GTO sales would suggest a market for 400 cars...

In 1987 Giovanni Battista Razelli was the managing director of Ferrari. Gino Rancati met with him in July of that year. There was much interest in the coming new "top of the line" Ferrari. Of course the question came up, "what would the new Ferrari be called"? There were a couple of names being considered but no decision had been made. When asked for suggestions Gino Rancati noted that the USA was the most important market for Ferrari; so perhaps an English name? As it was now 40 years since the Ferrari name had appeared "FERRARI 40" would recognize that milestone. The result later was that the new top of the line Ferrari model would simpy be know as "F40". Enzo Ferrari acknowledged the idea from Gino Rancati in October of 1987 with a silver plaque dedicated to Gino Rancati "per una brillante idea" and the name "F40" in red with the year 1987 included.

 

Thank you for this moment " F40 " Of2worlds. Indeed, the idea of naming this supercar F40 was excellent.
I think that the idea of having been invited to this event is without a doubt a real gift from Enzo Ferrari.

 

And so 288 Evo Evo would become first commemorative Ferrari ...?

 

Not exactly; the 288 Evoluzione was a race car developed for Group B racing. Because of crashes the FIA cancelled Group B for 1986. Enzo Ferrari was left with five race cars and no series to compete in. However the 2.8 litre twin turbo V8 developed for the racing could power a new racer for the street. Ferrari wanted a spartan race car that would be slightly tamed for the road and recognized the potential sales success that the 288 GTO had illustrated. Though Ferrari underestimated the potential for sales success. As with other Ferrari models of that period Pininfarina created the bodywork. Because of time constraints the whole effort didn't really break any new ground with a mere thirteen months from concept to public introduction. The new 'F40 LeMans' as it was known was then introduced in 1987.

 

The 288 Evoluzione became something of a dead end with that design.

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The F40 would greatly benefit from fresh design thinking >

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With the new Pininfarina design the F40 would assert it's own unique identity. This conveniently solved the complaint of 'family resemblance' that the 288 GTO carried.

 

F48 formal roof w/spoiler spoiler may've merited an extra season of Miami Vice?

 

Doubtful. The white Testarossa became the 'authentic' Ferrari star car.

 

Margot Robbie was convenncing in the movie "Wolf of Wallstreet"

 

Gentlemen, does anyone know what company was the OE supplier of carbon/kevlar exterior body panels for the F40?

 

Fiocco and T.I.R.
Both companies defunct

 

Here's the T.I.R. logo from the 312 P(B) 1972.

Marcel Massini

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Do we agree this F40 prototype is 76687 ?
Thanks in advance !
https://www.flickr.com/photos/lukas_hron-photography/albums/72157712389479956/with/49284499607

 

Absolutely.

 

Thanks !

 

and yet this version seems to lack the rear fender clip with the early five vents format? There was a Ferrari manufacturer production picture showing a shop cart with a number of those five vent rear clips stacked vertically. Sitting waiting for assembly the five vents design was clearly visible. Can't imagine money conscious Ferrari not using up all the early version rear clips before converting to the second design version?

 

I think your question is more for Mr Fioranvanti. I like 5 vents for proto and 4 for stand. versions life is well done.
Same thing, for rear lexan panel.

The picture of flirck, show us a copy of the F40 (in my humble opinion) which is at the MEF or the Ferrari museum, #77107.

Personally, I am happy to see this prototype.

One question: was the green glue applied to all prototipo? #73015 etc...


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I would say no but only from pictures in that early time. The glue appears to be white here >

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Later on but still early the green seems to have been used >

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Could be something as simple as a different supplier or the specification required changed. Lots to ponder about the prototype builds.

 

I had noticed probably by the quality of the old photos, I had trouble seeing.... I thought, sincerely, that they were built in a different way.

 

Second picture was Agnelli F40 #79883
Original one.

 

On a tablet at least you can expand the details of the pictures to gain some clarity for the two pictures. It is a bit subtle to view.
Maybe the students working were more 'generous' with the amount of green glue later!

 

Yes, correct regarding the chassis number. A life time for him spent dealing with Ferrari when the word "no" almost never entered the conversation!

 

Yesterday, I looked at the pictures of #76687 posted by our friend Hardy. Very nice pictures from the Prague dealership. The interior is exquisite, from my seat in the office, I wanted to seat inside this prototype.

 

Browsing this great thread, I found this pic on page 5, post # 125 : not 74049 but 76624...