On This Day

Tuesday 21st July 1987

33 years ago

The Ferrari F40 was unveiled at the factory in Maranello, Italy by Enzo Ferrari, in a ceremony commemorating his company's 40th year. Speaking through an interpreter, the 89-year-old Ferrari announced, "A little more than a year ago, I expressed my wish to the engineers. Build a car to be the best in the world. And now the car is here." Ferrari's engineers had designed the F40 to be the fastest road vehicle ever built. The F40 came with no floor mats, no stereo, no power locks or windows. Its only frill was a vanity window displaying its massive V8 engine, but this too was a part of the remarkably light composite body, molded of plastic, ceramic, and metal. While the car had no electronic braking system, it was capable of 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds and could hold a top speed of 201 mph, making the F40 the first production sports car to top the 200 mph barrier. While the car had no electronic braking system, it was capable of 0-60mph in 3.5 seconds and could hold a top speed of 201mph, making the F40 the first production sports car to top the 200mph barrier. Like all of Ferrari's great cars, the F40 has enjoyed a successful career in sports car racing around the world.