Cars / Cars and Bikes

Silverstone Auctions’ Salon Privé Sale 2017: Rare 1989 Ferrari F40

Up for sale is a restored, original 1989 model of the classic Ferrari supercar — one of the last to have been overseen by founder Enzo Ferrari himself.

Aug 28, 2017 | By Pameyla Cambe

Ferrari fans now have a new way to celebrate the 70th anniversary of their favourite Italian sports car maker. On September 2, Silverstone Auctions will be offering up a rare, Classiche-certified Ferrari F40 at the Salon Privé Sale 2017 held in Blenheim Palace.

Making this sale that extra bit more special is the fact that this year happens to be the 30th anniversary of the Ferrari F40. The vintage sports car is certainly one worth honouring too, being the last car to be overseen by founder Enzo Ferrari himself.

Built from 1987 to 1992, the F40 is a thing of beauty with its carbon chassis and body. The mid-engine, rear-wheel drive, two-door coupé sports car features a remarkably lightweight back cabin — designed to put the supercars of Lamborghini and Porsche in the 1980s to shame.

Now picture an untinkered, 1989 version of this classic Ferrari car — one of just 1,315 models to ever be built — that has done barely any mileage since its restoration. That’s exactly what Silverstone Auctions has listed in its catalogue for an estimate between £875,000 to £975,000.

This particular model is as authentic as a 1980s classic supercar can get, boasting none of the additional ‘options’ like catalytic converters, adjustable suspension or winding windows. It was first delivered to Wolfgang Denzel in Austria, who covered only slightly over 930 miles with it before selling it to an Italian collector. Under the hands of Carrozzeria Zanasi, the F40 underwent a painstakingly detailed restoration worth €300,000 last year, leading to its Classiche certification.

As noted by Harry Whale, the operations manager at Silverstone Auctions, “All F40s are desirable and normally well presented, but very rarely a car such as this comes to market with the kind of fastidious attention to detail that will impress the most hardened enthusiast. It’s a remarkable car, and it’s certain to turn heads.”

It goes without saying that the F40 will be the star of the show at the Salon Privé this year, especially with the tribute to Ferrari’s seven glorious decades that will be held at the Concours Masters competition. However, you can also expect no less than 70 of the world’s finest classic and sports cars at the annual Salon Privé Sale, from the likes of Porsche, Rolls-Royce and Lamborghini.


 
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