<< Prev Page 2 of 3 Next >> To celebrate the manufacturer's 40th anniversary, Ferrari launched the 'F40' in 1987. Both visually and technically the F40 was a clear development of the GTO Evoluzione. The V8 engine was increased in size slightly and developed 478 bhp in stock form, but a performance package boosting power to over 700 bhp was also available. With the GTO it shared the spartan construction, resulting in an impressive kerb weight of 1100 kg; 350 kg lighter than the closest competition, the Porsche 959. With an already impressive power to weight ratio, there was little surprise when Michelotto was again commissioned to turn Ferrari's latest offering into a racer, this time for the track.
Michelotto's work resulted in the F40 LM, which first took to track for testing late in 1988. Interestingly much of the speculation before the F40's launch suggested that it would be called 'Le Mans', which now proved to be partly right. The differences between the road and racing cars were subtle with the carbon fibre splitter, rear diffusers and adjustable rear wing as the most obvious. Furthermore the pop-up headlights were replaced by two big perspex covered units and additional NACA-ducts hinted at an increased cooling capacity. A new engine management system and increased compression saw the power increased to at least 720 bhp, but for qualifying the boost could be increased to yield in excess of 900 bhp. The interior was stripped even further and the dashboard was replaced by a state of the art digital setup.
In addition the rather extreme F40 LM, Michelotto also created the more mildly modified F40 GT for national championships. They featured many of the same performance upgrades as the LM but without the aggressive aerodynamics package. To meet the stricter regulations, the F40 GT's engine was equipped with air-intake restrictors, which capped the power at a still very impressive 590 bhp. It is believed seven F40s built to these specification and these were raced with considerable success. << Prev Page 2 of 3 Next >>
Ultimatecarpage.com
> Cars by brand
> Italy
> Ferrari
Racing cars
> GT Cars
To celebrate the manufacturer's 40th anniversary, Ferrari launched the 'F40' in 1987. Both visually and technically the F40 was a clear development of the GTO Evoluzione. The V8 engine was increased in size slightly and developed 478 bhp in stock form, but a performance package boosting power to over 700 bhp was also available. With the GTO it shared the spartan construction, resulting in an impressive kerb weight of 1100 kg; 350 kg lighter than the closest competition, the Porsche 959. With an already impressive power to weight ratio, there was little surprise when Michelotto was again commissioned to turn Ferrari's latest offering into a racer, this time for the track.