Any Ferrari F40 is a special car, but just like anything in life worth salivating over, there are levels of distinction within the world of F40 enthusiasm. One of the pinnacles of Ferrari collecting is this unique Nardo Grey Ferrari F40 “Competizione,” which isn’t simply a dream car for anyone who grew up in the ’80s, but is one of the most exciting neo-vintage supercars to have come up for sale in recent years.
Set to be sold in an online auction hosted by the team at RM Sotheby’s, despite the original plan of the owner to sell the car through a private sale. RM Sotheby’s received such an overwhelming level of interest in the supercar that the private sale was scrapped and an auction was set up after the F40 gained more than 600,000 impressions on the social media channels of the auction house.
This specific 1989 Ferrari F40 “Competizione” is one of the most powerful road-going vehicles to ever roll off the production line of the Italian automaker, boasting an eye-watering capacity of between 700 and 1000 horsepower. Its original owner wasn’t satisfied with its status as the world’s fastest production car at the time, and three years after purchasing it rebuilt the car with Peter van Erp of Cavallino Tuning to prepare it for racing on the track.
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After this rebuild that saw upgrades to the F40’s suspension, it was sold and raced in 1993 and 1994 before it was upgraded even further by G-Tex in the UK and received a roll hoop and air jacks. A few years later in 1997, it was sold to Ferrari collector and racing driver Michel Oprey, who continued to race the supercar until 2006, before he sold it to a racing team in the UK that continued competing with the car for a further three years.
The current owner of the car sought a restoration of the 1989 Ferrari F40 “Competizione” by the famed Zanasi Group of Maranello, Italy, who have a long-term relationship with Ferrari that spans more than six decades. The car was completely overhauled and serviced to the tune of €123,000 (AU$180,102), as well as received a fresh lick of the Nardo Grey paint you see on it today.
As a rare F40 that enjoyed an extended period of racing, this Nardo Grey Ferrari F40 “Competizione” is exceptionally rare and valuable, both for its competitive provenance and for the meticulous care that has been given to it over the decades. The RM Sotheby’s auction is set to conclude on the 21st of August at 10am AEST, and while no price guide has been given for the car, you’d better have deep pockets if you want to drive away in it.
