1994 Ferrari F40LM Coupe

In celebration of the company's 40th anniversary, the factory began work on a lightweight and aerodynamic supercar that with power sourced from a twin-turbocharged V-8. It was given the name, the F40, and was the first production car to break 200 mph, registering a top speed of 201.4 mph.

The Ferrari F40 was never originally intended for racing, however a number of individuals decided to explore the car's potential in competition. Daniel Marin, of Charles Pozzi SA, successfully lobbied Ferrari to authorize Michelotto to produce a series of racing examples that adhered to IMSA rules, giving the world's fastest production car a chance to earn its keep on the race track.

The limited-production racing version was named the F40 LM, for LeMans. Michelotto re-vamped the car by enforcing the chassis and fitting more aggressive bodywork with more extreme front and rear wings. Other improvements included uprated brakes and suspension, a competition-spec gearbox, wider wheels and tires, and an even more stripped-out interior. Inside was a futuristic digital dashboard. The F40's flip-up headlights were replaced with fixed lamps behind Lexan covers. The completed car weighed a mere 2,314 pounds.

The engine, now designated F120 B, had the same displacement as the road going version but given several important modifications. The output of the IHI turbochargers was raised to 2.6 bar and the compression ratio was increased to 8.0:1. Bigger Behr intercoolers, new camshafts, and a new Weber Marelli electronic fuel-injection system completed the setup. Power rose to 720 BHP at 7500 RPM.

This particular example is the 18th of 19 F40 LMs built. It is one of only two examples fitted with a pushrod and rocker arm suspension.

It was built for competition yet would never be driven in anger on a race track when new. Thus it was spared from the rigors and possible damage associated with racing. This makes this car one of the most original and finest examples in existence.

The car was completed in July of 1993 and delivered new to Remo Ferri's Maranello Motors Ltd. in Woodbridge, Ontario, Canada, which would later become Ferrari of Ontario. It was listed for sale by Maranello Motors in December 1994 and was later owned by John Bisanti, of Rhode Island. Mr. Bisanti showed the car at the Cavallino Classic and the FCA National Meet in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1999, as well as once more at the Cavallino Classic in 2000.

In 2003, the car was purchased by its current caretaker.

By Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2015