Anybody know anything about the F40 listed at http://www.svs-ltd.com/ ? Saw the ad in Classic & Sports Car mag.
I thought this post was going to be a general thread about the "Ultra Special" Euro series F40, the one not federalised with new bumpers and extra weight ie original "as maker intended" format. Sorry don't know about the SVS F40 but it was one of about six F40's I came across for sale recently (in the UK).
The UK/European cars are an interesting original series and in fact it would be nice if you & others contributed to a thread about that type so that the received wisdom is expanded. Go for it, by all means, and others will be inspired to share. Joe www.joesackey.com
Dear Comrade Joe Sackey, Not wishing to be in any way controversial but the English F-40 is a better car than the American version. With kind regards, 512 Tea Are
It feels so light to begin with, I could only imagine what it would feel like if it were a "little" lighter.
Dear Comrade Jimbo, Yes, of course it matters - it's ten per cent lighter than the US version - even the illustrious Joe Sackey has deemed it to be the 'F-40 Lightweight.' Furthermore, all the F-40's ever tested at DK Engineering in England have shown more than 500 bhp on their dynamometer. So the English F-40 is unequivocally the best! With kind regards, 512 Tea are
512, can I ask how long you've had your F40? Any particular outfit you recommend for maintenance? Bob Houghton's still highly thought of?
Graham, Youre too kind by half in referring to me as "illustrious" and I hereby reject any such accolades in favor of a humble and simple "any old Joe" reference where it pertains to my knowlege of these fine automobiles. Yes indeed I will confirm that the European F40 is the "Lightweight F40", the original item to which all others (the USA cars) can only aspire to. As such this weekend some USA F40 owners will observe a minute of respect in reverence of the pure, unadorned and unfettered car. And yes I will confirm that the jolly chaps at DK in their infinite wisdom and automtive dilligence have managed to unleash no less that 500 (prancing) horses from the engine of the Euro beast - although I am investigating this very moment claims from an insider that this number was aided by fitment of a straight-through LM 'zorst, hardly sportsmanlike behaviour in accordance with fairplay and accurate numbers. Ill say! But I must politely suggest that the use of the word "best" whilst no problem for me, might cause resentment and unrest amongst some of your Yankee peers Stateside, and so therefore I reccomend resorting to use of words and terms such as "different", "original version" etcetera. Please note however, that in spite of living in the shadow of the Euro F40, the USA F40 is an extremely rare machine, five times more so that the European version which you possess. That is a fact that I am able to certify with no less than Ferrari SpA factory documentation. I trust that this clarifying information is helpful to you, and remember that I for one appreciate BOTH series so much that I am toying with the idea of keeping a "Lightweight F40" in your fine country for use when I visit my family there. I trust that all is going well and that the giant chandelier is still secure and in place in your New Forest castle. Give my best regards to your wife and remember, NEVER change below 5,000. Joe www.joesackey.com
Dear Comrade al70, I have no doubt that Bob Houghton and many others are excellent. However, my car is looked after by the Ferrari dealership at Lyndhurst - Meridien Modena. They are excellent and their technicians quite superb. If you care to convey your telephone number via a PM I should be pleased to telephone you and provide you with the contacts at Meridien. Furthermore, their rates on the older cars are competitive to the extent that they are less expensive than many of the independant's. I feel quite certain that you would not be disappointed with their service. With kind regards, 512 Tea Are
Dear Comrade al70, Thank you for your PM to which I have now responded. I have just been into the garage and upon examining my car again, I am convinced that, yes, you must acquire one as soon as possible! With kind regards, 512 Tea Are
And still no pertinent information about the specific F40 for sale in question. Shame, but my fault I guess, for not paying enough attention to how I named the original post. Should be "F40 for sale at SVS" or the like. Anyhow, at least the trading of barbs is entertaining, even if it has now sprawled into 2 threads. Perhaps somebody can comment on the prospect of owning a Euro F40 in North America - does that make the car even more "superior" compared to its U.S. and Canadian brethren, or merely the ugly duckling child of a DNA strand long forgotten.
Dear Comrade Jimbo, Could you not commence an 'Australian F-40' thread and thus make a trilogy? For myself, I am contemplating starting an 'English F-40' thread as I am not at all keen on being Euro'd with that lot on the other side of 'Our English Channel.' Furthermore, the English F-40 is a better car than the Euro version. With kind regards, 512 Tea Are
The main diference besides crash protection is the fuel bladders rather than steel tanks? While this is a good track safety feature, they degrade with time and replacement is expensive. Was the chandelier coming loose, Graham???? I could send an electrician by, or come myself........ I agree with Joe, the lack of mufflers wouldn't be wise, as often it's best to leave thru the rear gate undetected, if you get my drift.....
Good Evening Comrade BigTex, The tanks in the English F-40 are not bladders and this is also applicable to the Euro F-40. They are made from a woven material filled with an open cell foam - they are proper racing tanks as used in racing cars - hence the English F-40 is a proper racing-car-for-the-road and remains the classic unmolested version. Not that the United States of America's F-40 has been molested! Indeed, the US F-40 is a more robustly constructed and therefore much heavier version of the English F-40 - a sort of touring car! Regretfully, the tanks do require replacement every ten years and this is not an inexpensive operation. They are of course safer than the US tanks, but given a preference I would much prefer the US tanks. With regard to the chandelier: I erected it (with assistance) and installed a winch in the roof space. The winch allows it to be lowered for cleaning and changing of bulbs. With kind regards, 512 Tea Are
