One of the most iconic road cars ever built by Ferrari, the F40 was powered by a twin-turbo V8. However, this particular example, wearing a Competizione-inspired body kit, hides a naturally aspirated V12 beneath its rear shell.
Every now and then, unique and stunning cars pop up on auction sites that leave us speechless.
Such is the case with this extravagant F40, which Iconic Auctioneers will soon be putting up for auction.
A race car built on the underpinnings of a real factory-built F40, this restored racer may anger some purists because it is far from its original specifications. However, it has an interesting history that proves it is not a sacrilegious experiment.
A brief history of the iconic F40
Photo: Iconic Auctioneers
Before we delve into the details of this one-of-a-kind V12-powered model, let's take a step back in time.
In 1987, Ferrari celebrated four decades since the launch of its first car (the 125 S), and to mark the occasion, the Italian automaker unveiled what was arguably the most impressive road-going model it had ever built.
Further development of the 288 GTO Evoluzione Group B program, the new car called F40 was the last to be built under the supervision of Enzo Ferrari, founder of the company, who passed away in 1988.
Powered by a 471 hp (477 hp US-spec) twin-turbo V8, the spartan, no-frills, carbon-Kevlar-bodied F40 was the closest thing you could get to driving a racing car on public roads.
Speaking of which, a full racing version called the F40 LM was introduced in 1989. With several modifications, including a larger adjustable rear spoiler and additional air intakes, the LM was used by factory-supported teams in various competitions, including the popular BPR Global GT Series.
Private teams inquired about the availability of the LM and Ferrari delivered a special 691 hp track car, dubbed the F40 Competizione.
The LM and the Competizione were the inspiration for the unique model we will talk about in this article.
Conceived with the blessing of Ferrari
Photo: Iconic Auctioneers
Usually, modifying a Ferrari means you are banned from buying another one. Plus, you will most likely end up with a lawsuit.
However, when professional racing driver Stefano Sebastiani wanted to modernise an F40 and transform it into a LM/Competizione-inspired racing car, he received not only the Italian car manufacturer's blessing, but also an authentic F40 chassis that Ferrari had used for crash testing in the early 1990s.
An ambitious privateer, Sebastiani has raced Ferraris for decades. In partnership with British racing team Simpson Motorsport, he has taken part in several epic races, including the 1993 and 1994 editions of the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans, where he drove a Simpson-prepared Ferrari 348 LM.
Thanks to Sebastiani's contacts in Maranello, the project, which began in 2001, was more or less officially approved by the Italian manufacturer and the result was the first and only Ferrari F40 with a V12 engine.
Transforming a Crash Test Mule into a Crazy Race Car
Photo: Iconic Auctioneers
Sebastiani entrusted the epic project to his long-time partner, Simpson Motorsport, who began modifying the old chassis.
The structure has been completely strengthened and modernized, receiving, among other features, a custom suspension system developed by Simpson and state-of-the-art brakes.
The bodywork was also built from scratch by Simpson using carbon-fibre panels, but rather than opt for an entirely new and modernised design, the motorsport experts faithfully recreated the original LM/Competizione bodywork and paired it with a modern FIA-approved roll cage.
Aside from the absence of Ferrari insignia and custom 18-inch wheels, the reborn F40 was identical to the Ferrari-built racing versions that competed in the BPR Global GT Series in the early 1990s.
The interior also replicated the original LM/Competizione, albeit with some particular modifications, such as the main indicators, the Sparco steering wheel and the Corbeau driver's seat.
Modern naturally aspirated V12 power
Photo: Iconic Auctioneers
Of course, the most impressive modification made to this one-off was a completely different powertrain.
Since the post-crash testing chassis was delivered without an engine and transmission, Sebastiani and the Simpson team had to get creative.
Finding an original Tipo F120 twin-turbo V8 was impossible, but since Sebastiani wanted the reborn F40 to have an authentic Ferrari heart, a naturally aspirated V12 was found.
The unit in question, a 5.5-liter F133 Double crankshaft At the time, the V12 was the company's flagship road engine and was powered by the 550 Maranello.
Rated at 478bhp in production form, the engine was tuned by Simpson engineers to produce 550bhp.
When the car was completed in 2001, the engine was mated to a Hewland manual gearbox, but four years later it was replaced with a newer six-speed sequential gearbox developed by the same English gearbox experts.
He has participated in several competitions
Photo: Iconic Auctioneers
From 2001 to 2006, the reborn F40, renamed Simpson-Ferrari V12 GTR, participated in over ten races.
Stefano Sebastiani and the other drivers who were lucky enough to get behind the wheel said that the car performed significantly better than the original V8-engined F40 LM/Competizione.
During its brief racing career, the V12 GTR did not win any races. Its best result was a second place in 2006 at Oulton Park.
Soon to be auctioned for much less than a real F40
Photo: Iconic Auctioneers
If you are a fan of the Ferrari F40, you will surely know that, on the rare occasions when one of these cars goes up for auction, the price can reach at least 3,000,000 dollars.
However, this one-of-a-kind, race-bred, V12-engined F40 will be auctioned by Iconic Auctioneers in an event starting on August 25, 2024, with an estimate of between £500,000 and £600,000 (US$649,852 and US$779,820).
While this estimate will likely be exceeded and the purchase price and taxes will further increase the final figure, the V12 GTR will still be cheaper than an original F40.
While some purists might call it blasphemy, the Simpson-Ferrari V12 GTR is undoubtedly one of the most attractive F40s around and, in our opinion, worth every penny.
