We end the series with a car built purely for the thrill of driving. The Ferrari F40 was created to celebrate Ferrari's 40th anniversary and became a defining supercar of its era.
Quick facts
| Unveiled | 1987 |
|---|---|
| Maker | Ferrari, Italy |
| Engine | 2.9-litre twin-turbocharged V8, about 471 hp |
| Top speed | About 324 km/h (201 mph) |
| Production | About 1,300 cars, 1987 to 1992 |
The story
In 1987, Ferrari marked four decades since its founding with a car that distilled racing technology into a road car. It was the last new Ferrari approved by company founder Enzo Ferrari, who died in August 1988.
Built like a race car
- Lightweight materials: a body using composite materials such as carbon fibre and Kevlar kept weight low.
- Minimal comfort: no carpets, simple door pulls, no radio as standard, and basic interior trim, all to save weight.
- Twin turbos: its turbocharged V8 delivered dramatic, explosive acceleration.
- Pure driving: no power steering or electronic driver aids like traction control.
200 mph milestone
The F40 was widely reported as the first road-legal production car to break the 200 mph barrier, with a top speed of around 201 mph. In the late 1980s, that number was headline news.
Why it changed the world
- Supercar template: it set the standard for lightweight, performance-focused hypercars that followed.
- Composite construction: it helped popularise advanced materials in road cars.
- Collector market: it became one of the most sought-after collector cars, with values rising sharply over the decades.
Legacy
The F40 began a line of special Ferrari "halo" cars, followed by the F50, Enzo, LaFerrari and beyond. Many enthusiasts still consider it the purest expression of what a supercar should be.
Thank you for following the series
From the Model T to the F40, these cars shaped how we build, drive and dream about cars. Revisit any part using the links below.
Cars That Changed the World: the full series
- Part 1: Ford Model T
- Part 2: Volkswagen Beetle
- Part 3: The Original Mini
- Part 4: Porsche 911
- Part 5: Toyota Corolla
- Part 6: Land Rover and Defender
- Part 7: Ford Mustang
- Part 8: Toyota Prius
- Part 9: Tesla Model S
- Part 10: Ferrari F40 (you are here)
Figures such as production numbers, prices and specifications are commonly cited historical values and may vary slightly between sources.
