Ferrari F40 – #80747

Stolen

VIN: ZFFGJ34B000080747
Engine: –

Auktion: RM Sotheby’s, London 2014, sold for 761’600 Pounds, with these informations: «The F40 presented here comes from single-family ownership from new, and it has covered a mere 18,500 kilometres since being collected by the owner’s mechanic, Mr Luciano, from the factory in June 1989. The car was painted traditional Rosso Corsa and fitted with air conditioning, the desirable wind-up windows, and four-point Sabelt harnesses. Unfortunately, in September 1989, the car was stolen; however, it was quickly recovered and a new set of locks were fitted. The owner again sent his mechanic to collect the car. Whilst driving the F40 home, Mr Luciano was stopped by the police. Unfortunately for him, the officials had not updated their system and believed the car was in fact still stolen. Mr Luciano was arrested and spent one night in jail, until the police realised their mistake and released the innocent mechanic! Since the owner’s passing, the car has remained with his trusty mechanic. Mr Luciano has treated this car as if it were his own child, servicing it meticulously and always cleaning it thoroughly after every outing. He even created a bespoke secure storage box for the car in his garage. The car had to be pushed into the box and winched out, as the doors could not be opened once in the box. On 20 June 2005, the car was serviced by Michelotto with 15,797 kilometres on the clock. More recently, and in preparation for the first time it will have been sold since new, the car was sent to the Ferrari factory in June 2014 to start the certification process. After the initial inspection, the car was found to conform to the certification standards». Later: RM Sotheby’s, Paris 2017, estimate 950’000 to 1’050’000 Euro, not sold.

Then: Bonhams, Zoute 2019, verkauft für 920’000 Euro, mit diesen Informationen: «The F40 offered here was originally delivered to Italy. It is one of the highly desirable models built without catalytic converters and with non-adjustable suspension; in other words, to the highest performance and lightest specification. Its original owner’s mechanic took delivery directly through Motor Service Srl of Modena. That first owner would keep the Ferrari for 25 years with the exception of a brief sojourn in September 1989 when it was stolen and swiftly recovered, undamaged. The mechanic had fond memories of the F40 and after its owner’s passing, continued to maintain the car, servicing it meticulously and cleaning it after every outing. To keep it secure, the Ferrari was stored in a bespoke storage box within the mechanic’s garage, from which it had to be winched in and out (the doors could not be opened once the car was in the box). Thus this F40 remained has in a remarkable state of preservation, with just over 20,000 kilometers recorded from new. Shortly before its sale to the second private owner, in September 2014, the F40 was shipped to the Ferrari factory where it was inspected and received the coveted ‘Red Book’ Ferrari Classiche Certification. At the same time it was serviced by Motor Service Srl, including replacing the cam belts, changing all fluids, and calibrating the fuel injection. The engine was also subject to a compression test, the gearbox oil was changed, and the brakes were overhauled. More recently, prior to the current owner’s acquisition in 2017, new fuel cells and a new clutch were fitted by UK specialists Maranello Egham and the interior re-trimmed to the highest standards.»

A collection of Ferrari F40 you can find: (work in progress).