F40 LM GTE

They also built a third car, a lot rougher than the two already mentioned here, running a 355 engine. Last seen at Italia Autosport in the UK for sale. More LM than GTE though

 

Do you have the last 5 digits of the VIN?

 

Not a Ferrari anymore; F40 GTE-ish replica

 

It is all in the Keith Bluemel F40 book...........

Marcel Massini

 

I don't have access to that book, can you share the information with us? Maybe even share some photos of it?

 

Ever heard of copyrights?

Marcel Massini

 

Afraid not and nothing coming up on that registration number either.

 

Absolutely, but I've also heard of Fair Use and proper Citing and use of Bibliographical References. You don't have to post pictures, just the information.

 

Ferrari based I guess is the most accurate term, built from numerous components, some of which originated in Maranello.

 

You're wasting your breath - Marcel loves to be obtuse.

Much cooler to be dismissive and condescending rather than help a kid with a passion for what unites every person on this website.

 

It's OK, I've been around the block a few times and dealt with people giving me this type of attitude before and, although I don't stand by it or understand the reasons behind it, I respect their free will and decision to act this way. Still, you are absolutely right, we are all here because we have one common interest at least, and passion at most, so if Mr. Massini wants to help out with our research all help is welcome! Having access to these books is a privilege, and we all get wiser, so I appeal to anyone with access to this privileged information to please share it with us, knowledge is power.

 

The book is available www.amazon.com

 

Thank you, I knew this already, the problem is not availability though, it is, as it is often, a matter of capital XD

 

Considering all the effort you've made so far, IMO ought to invest in the definitive and well-researched Bluemel book whilst it's still available at a reasonable price, I think we are simply trying to help you with a good tip based on experience, bear in mind that ownership of a tangible book as both a collectible and a resource is a much-enhanced experience from possession of digital material.

Marcel's unique Swiss sense of humor has to be understood to be appreciated, that said, I'm sure you'll agree that he's helped more than most on this site with his precision content.

 

A lot rougher in what regard? Checking the number plate, the car comes back as registered as a Ferrari..

 

From what I understand that plate is from another car, and not the one this car is registered under. Scott on here (Ratarossa) went to view it at the time and not a lot was original Ferrari or was in good order. I have copies of pics from many years earlier of the car, taken at a kit car show, will post them up if I can find them.

 

Interesting observation. I’ve seen both Simpson cars within the last 14 months. They both looked like used race cars, obviously not in the same shape as a garage queen. The plate does belong to the car, not switched as you suggested.

 

If you check both the UK car tax and mot registers that plate is no longer active on any car.

In fairness both were built as race cars, not show examples.

 

Found the pics, it was being promoted by a company called Enzo Designs, they did lookalikes based on MR2s etc then offered this for £150k at the time (probably 10 years ago now). Then they vanished, probably due to a cease and desist. The claim was the F40s would be built by Simpsons. I do not think Simpsons had any links to Enzo designs other than as a subcontractor.

Looks to be a mishmash of very used components with a 355 engine and box, maybe cast offs from the cars Simpsons had rebuilt over the years.

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Great photos Paul, as I mentioned, I’ve seen Simpson’s work in person and have seen both the cars you are referencing. The car in your photos was very well executed, highly modified 355 based engine and trans, motec engine management and wickedly fast.

Here it is from when I saw it last…


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Wow..those replicas aren't bad.

 

Suggest you set up your own www.replicachat.com site........

Marcel Massini

 

As the values of the originals head skywards then the copies are getting far better now, the days of Fiero based lookalikes are long gone, There is a supplier in Italy now that as well as restoring F40s can supply a complete new finished chassis and body, you either stamp an original VIN into it or one from a donor Ferrari, much like the GTO engineering copies of the 250SWB.

 

I’m not sure it’s fair to characterize the Simpson cars as “replicas” as they were either rebuilt wrecked cars or built on factory built crash test chassis that did not have a vin # stamped on them. Whether discussion of these cars belong on this thread is a different matter.

 

A) My comment (post #1147) was clearly addressed to "amenasce", a.k.a. Andrew Menasce, who has a habit of posting a lot of replica stuff all over fchat. My comment was not addressed to you.
B) I did not say these cars are replicas. I suggested that Andrew could easily introduce his own website about replicas.
C) The cars discussed here recently are clearly not genuine Ferraris but built from all sorts of parts and, as you rightly say, even come without a VIN.
D) These Simpson cars, to a certain extent, replicate genuine F40 LMs or GTEs. They are Simpsons or whatever but certainly not genuine Ferraris.
E) I find it amazing to see what problems people have with the word "replica". The problem is not so much the vehicle itself but rather the owner who does not want to admit that his replica is nothing more than that. A large majority of these people are dishonest and try to fool others. This has been discussed at length already in the replica section.

Marcel Massini