Ferrari F40 & F50

 

The F40 and F50 are two of the coolest, greatest, and most legendary Ferrari models to ever exist. Why are both featured in one post this time around? Like the Koenigsegg Jesko and CC850 from an earlier post, there was one example of each model featured at this year's Exotics on Broadway, and I was only able to capture a few photos of each example. 

Let's begin discussing each vehicle, starting with the F40. The F40 hit production in 1987 as the second-ever Ferrari halo supercar and replacement for the 288 GTO. It was also the vehicle created to commemorate Ferrari's 40th anniversary and the last Ferrari model planned by Enzo Ferrari before he passed away. Powering the F40 is a mid-mounted 2.9-liter twin-turbo V8 with 471 horsepower and 426 pound-feet of torque paired to a five-speed manual gearbox. It goes from zero to 60 mph in about four seconds and is capable of a top speed of 201 mph. Practically every F40 was painted red from the factory, however this particular example is finished in pink. Although I view pink as the worst color to paint or wrap a car in, the F40 pulls it off better than most cars can. Unique aspects of the F40 I find fascinating are the F40 badge on only the passenger side of its large rear wing, its two sets of headlights, with the main headlights being pop-ups, its many air vents, its carbon fiber-kevlar composition, and the stunning and traditional design inside and out. A total of 1,315 examples of the F40 were ever built, with production ending in 1992 and the average F40 example selling for between $2-3 million on the resale market.

The F50 succeeded the F40 in Ferrari's halo supercar series and was introduced in 1995 to honor the Italian Stallion brand's 50th anniversary. Powering the F50 is a naturally-aspirated 4.7-liter V12 with 512 horsepower and 347 pound-feet of torque paired to a six-speed manual gearbox. It launches from zero to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds and is capable of a top speed of 202 mph. The F50 also features a full carbon-fiber body, a first for a road-going Ferrari, a removable targa top that allows for open-air driving, and a gorgeous design that has aged like fine wine. Many folks who have been in and around the F50 say it has the purest driving experience of any Ferrari and is the closest Ferrari model to a road-going Formula 1 car. Only 349 F50s were ever built between 1995 and 1997, making it the second-rarest of the five Ferrari halo supercars. Most of the 349 total F50s, specifically 302 of them and including the example above, are finished in the traditional Ferrari Rosso Corsa Red. Once underappreciated, the average F50 is currently valued between $2.5 million and $4 million on the resale market. 

While there was only one F40 and F50 at this year's Exotics on Broadway show, last year's rendition of Exotics on Broadway had six F50s and three F40s on display, bringing my total to five F40s and seven F50s that I've seen in person thus far. Overall, the F40 and F50 are two of the coolest, very best, and most legendary Ferrari models of all time and my two favorite Ferrari models I saw in Monterey back in late August this year.

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