[212Export]

2 weeks ago, I bought a F40 with about 46’ km’s. The previous owner invested some funds in the last 4 years (wheels, brakes, new tanks, new turbos, services etc. all at 60' Euros). A complete service and some cosmetic work over the coming weeks by my mechanic will be done. By end of july, the car should be ready for long trips. The fact that my mechanic worked so many years on F40’s helped my decision process to purchase this car, as I was initially sceptic of the car by looking at the price tag only. He tested it inside out and finally confirmed that the car runs great, engine and gearbox seemed flawless and crisp. Additionally, some minor cosmetic work will be brought in line. (tubes changes, belt change, oil changes, 2 not original heat protection plates will be changed, repainting of smaller engine details and change of 1 electrical “relais” processor etc.) We have cleaned the wheels and polished the body and the car looks almost as new. The car comes with 4 OZ’s wheels and the 4 original ones, 2 different exhaust systems, Brembo racing calipers and disks (which fit under the original wheels as well, original ones at hand). The car was offered well below average market prices (-25%) for about 4 weeks and nobody seemed to care about. After buying it, I’ve received 2 calls asking if I would resale it again. Funny market.

While driving the F40 for around 300 km’s so far, I experienced those great mechanical senses and engine and exhaust system "noises", the very light and nimble overall behaviour, the singing turbos and “puffing” waste gate and the very direct steering. Recently, I sat on a chair for some time next to the car and looked at the shapes and slopes of the design. I feel like this car has a very impressive and special presence.

My wife was sitting next to me on one of the initial drives. As you know, she’s not the car nuts but drives the Daytona from time to time and likes it very much. Opposite to my expectation of her initial reaction when sitting and driving in the F40 (not so discret presence, "noise") her comment was: “You know, this car is really great….because I can see easily to the road surface in front of me as the front hood is nicely inclined. It reminds me to the 911 Porsche SC from 20 years ago……..

[Jimmy Chen Shiba DDS]

Thank You for letting us know of your purchase, 212Export, and of course, a hearty congratulations to you. Must be a wonderful example of F40. Looking forward to your reports and pics. w/ smiles Jimmy
PS. Next in line would be F50 ??? ...naturally.

[Vitalone]

Congratulations on your F40 212Export! Delighted to hear that you have added another iconic Ferrari to your stable. F40 is one of those poster cars that I still dream of owning one day. Hope to see her and Daytona on FLED3!

[212Export]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Chen Shiba DDS

Thank You for letting us know of your purchase, 212Export, and of course, a hearty congratulations to you. Must be a wonderful example of F40. Looking forward to your reports and pics. w/ smiles Jimmy
PS. Next in line would be F50 ??? ...naturally.

Thank you Jimmy. My search to find a acceptable F50 (swiss origin, no importation and VAT, not too much miles and a “fair” price) has been unsuccessful so far. In hindsight, the best buy would have been the one in London in early 2009. But…. that is history. To me, the F40 is the second greatest machinery of the more modern Ferrari’s after the F50 and fits nice to the yellow Daytona. Instead of waiting for the right F50 to come by, I’m able to enjoy the F40 now.

[212Export]

Originally Posted by Vitalone

Congratulations on your F40 212Export! Delighted to hear that you have added another iconic Ferrari to your stable. F40 is one of those poster cars that I still dream of owning one day. Hope to see her and Daytona on FLED3!

Thanks. Depending on the final date for Fled3, I'll be able to join or not. Generally, I felt the same as you do, Vitalone. For me both cars (Daytona and F40) are iconic street legal cars. They are very different, but the "mechanical touch" which is missing on many modern cars, are still with both of them. That was a important reason for me. I regret nothing or did not change one thought about what I said or wrote about the F50. This is still my automotive dream. Maybe it will be once fulfilled, maybe not.

[wetpet]

Congrats on your new acquisition. truly a dream car. have fun with the raw race/street feel.

[Dermot]

Congratulations! Fantastic car - I'd be interested in knowing why the car was 25% below market. I've been trying to buy an F40 here in the US but prices have been strong - my Scud needs a friend and I think an F40 would look just right next to it in the garage :-) any pictures of the F40?

[212Export]

Originally Posted by Dermot

Congratulations! Fantastic car - I'd be interested in knowing why the car was 25% below market. I've been trying to buy an F40 here in the US but prices have been strong - my Scud needs a friend and I think an F40 would look just right next to it in the garage :-) any pictures of the F40?

Pricewise I assume that generally a F40 with 28' miles (46'km's) is probably unattractive to most prospective buyers as they tend to drive the car seldom. I'm compleately opposite. Thats why a low miles car with the inherent price-"idea" to me can hardly be attractive. Although I have seen to F40 with more miles for sale in Europe with a asking price roughly a third higher. There is also a big difference in price between European and american F40's, whereas american are app. 10-20% higher in prices than european ones (american F40's are 100kg's heavier too, you get more weight for more money)
Pictures will follow in August after the car is ready.

[JazzyO]

212!!!!!!!!!!!








WHAT!!!!!?????!!!!!






Wow, just fantastic!!! For someone who has experienced so many icons in the Ferrari history (let alone the automotive history), I think both (Daytona and F-40) really suit you.

And having observed your driving style, I just know this car has find the right owner. Congratulations, and I hope to see her in action sometime!

Please enliven our poor lives with some pics and more words on the ownership experience!


Onno

[JazzyO]

Originally Posted by Dermot

my Scud needs a friend

I like the way you're thinking, Dermot! Two cars that go great together,, that's for sure.


Onno

[Dermot]

They certainly do :-) I'm with u guys on mileage, the us market is kind of obsessed with low mileage, which is odd considering the distance we generally have to drive in the us!!

[212Export]

Thank you, Onno. Pictures will follow.

[Andrew]

212, Congrats on a fine addition! Agree with Onno, having ridden shotgun with you through the Alps I can see you behind the wheel of this car and being very happy.

[Boxer]

Congratulations !

It is great to see an F40 finding a civilized home where it will be properly appreciated and driven often. Be careful though, those turbos are addictive.

[212Export]

Originally Posted by Boxer

Congratulations !

It is great to see an F40 finding a civilized home where it will be properly appreciated and driven often. Be careful though, those turbos are addictive.

Thanks, Boxer, I will keep it in mind. As on your suggestions, the tires on the OZ rims are from December '08 (should be still soft enough to enable proper traction), those on the original rims are from mid '05 (will not use them anymore). Both sets are Michelin Pilot's.

[Boxer]

Originally Posted by 212Export

Thanks, Boxer, I will keep it in mind. As on your suggestions, the tires on the OZ rims are from December '08 (should be still soft enough to enable proper traction), those on the original rims are from mid '05 (will not use them anymore). Both sets are Michelin Pilot's.

Good call on the tyres. The 2008s should be fine but the 2005s will be pretty borderline. More so than other Ferraris, tyres on the F40 are really critical given the sudden power delivery (and lack of any stability system) when the turbos spool up.

[212Export]

I've worked on the car the last couple of days (according to instructions from my mechanic) to get a personal "sense" and "soul" for the F40. The car passed yesterday our MOT program. From now on until end of july, all detailing will take place. Here some pictures (sorry for the partially bad photo quality)

[212Export]

some more:

[Barry]

Congratulations 212. Looks magnificent. A true Ferrari icon. A picture of me (10 years old) beside an F40 still adorns my childhood bedroom in my parents home! To own one is still a dream!!

Enjoy all the experiences it will no doubt bring.

[Andrew]

Excellent photos. Do you plan to run the car with the OZ wheels or switch back to the original?