Why it's called an F40 | FerrariChat
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Why it's called an F40

Discussion in '288GTO/F40/F50/Enzo/LaFerrari/F80' started by of2worlds, Jul 1, 2004.

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  1. of2worlds

    of2worlds F1 World Champ
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    #1 of2worlds, Jul 1, 2004
    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 FORTY" 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.
    ch
     
  2. jimpo1

    jimpo1 Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #2 jimpo1, Jul 1, 2004
    I thought it was because F39 and F41 just didn't sound very sporty. :)
     
  3. of2worlds

    of2worlds F1 World Champ
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    #3 of2worlds, Jul 1, 2004
    Jim I like that... However they were even thinking of call the Ferrari 'Quaranta', the Italian for 'forty', but the name was obviously not used.
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  4. GrigioGuy

    GrigioGuy Splenda Daddy
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    #4 GrigioGuy, Jul 1, 2004
    Wasn't it because Fiero was taken already?
     
  5. SefacHotRodder

    SefacHotRodder F1 World Champ

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    #5 SefacHotRodder, Jul 1, 2004

    :D
     
  6. writerguy

    writerguy F1 Veteran

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    #6 writerguy, Jul 1, 2004
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  7. ferrarifixer

    ferrarifixer F1 Veteran
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    #7 ferrarifixer, Jul 1, 2004
    err...rounder They use 40 not FORTY....so if your italian you DO call it a Quaranta.

    If you're french you name it in french, if you're spanish you name it in spanish!!
     
  8. bert308

    bert308 Formula 3

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    #8 bert308, Jul 1, 2004
    True, even when reading this English post, I read F40 as ef feertig, my own language.
    First they wanted to call it the LeMans, but they changed it when they realized it was the 40th birthday of the Ferrari cars.
     

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