Lee Iacocca’s Ferrari F40 up for auction

Introduced in 1987, Ferrari’s F40 supercar was nothing less than a shock to the senses and a masterful combination of raw-edge, radical styling with state-of-the-art technologies used throughout its engine, body and chassis designs. Without question, driving an F40 is truly a visceral experience, hammering the senses with brutal acceleration, go-kart quick reflexes and a howling exhaust note that is music to the ears of the devoted enthusiast. The overall experience is addictive-a powerful narcotic even.

Conceived in 1986, the F40 project was intended to celebrate Ferrari’s landmark 40th anniversary. Il Commendatore, Enzo Ferrari, is reported to have said, “Let’s make something special for next year’s celebrations in the way we used to do it.” A friend of Ferrari, Gino Rancati, who received a silver plaque to commemorate the occasion, suggested the car’s name. It was inscribed, “To Gino Rancati for a brilliant idea.” An accompanying letter said:

Dear Rancati, with this plaque I want to commemorate our meeting on the 4th June when you kindly contributed to the choice of name for the GT car we presented at the Frankfurt motor show. Your contribution has produced excellent results-the ‘F forty’, based on the idea of forty years of Ferrari cars, identifies and personalizes the fastest Ferrari GT. Kindest regards. G.B. Razelli.