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July 30, 2025
1991 Ferrari F40: Broad Arrow’s 2025 Monterey Jet Center ...
Blending fashion-show energy with the thrill of bidding, Broad Arrow’s Monterey Jet Center Auction offers a one-of-a-kind runway-style auction block where 170 collector cars will be offered to an audience of thousands. Among them: a 1991 Ferrari F40, presented in remarkably original, low-mileage condition estimated at $3,350,000 - $3,500,000.
Most 40th birthdays are marked with jokes about aging and wistful nostalgia—but not Ferrari's. When the marque reached that milestone in 1987, there were no sentimental speeches or over-the-hill banners. Instead, there was the F40—an unapologetically raw supercar that made clear Ferrari wasn't looking back. In the years leading up to its debut, strange-looking Ferraris were spotted on the streets of Maranello and circulating Fiorano. At the time, it was widely guessed—but not confirmed—that these were prototypes destined to succeed the beloved 1984 288 GTO. As it happened, that suspicion was partly correct. The prototypes in question were dubbed 288 GTO Evoluzione, originally conceived for Group B racing. But when the series was abruptly cancelled, Ferrari pivoted. Rather than abandon the project, the Evoluzione were reimagined as rolling development mules—bridging the gap between the 288 GTO and what would become the F40.
That car made its debut on 21 July 1987, in a stifling civic hall in Maranello. Enzo Ferrari himself was present for the unveiling. As the story goes, when the covers came off, the notoriously stoic founder leaned into a live microphone and said simply, “Bello, molto bello.” An intentional bit of theater, sure, but Signore Ferrari wasn't wrong. The car before him wasn't elegant in a traditional sense, but it was striking. Eleven composite panels—clamshells at either end, functional NACA ducts, and a prominent rear wing—made clear this machine had nothing to hide. Designed by Pininfarina, it wore its purpose like armor. Yet the exterior told only part of the story. The F40 was less about visual drama than it was about experience. The cabin was stripped to the essentials—red cloth-covered bucket seats, pull-strap doors, a felt-wrapped dash and tunnel, and exposed carbon composite nearly everywhere else. Ferrari described it plainly: “no interior trim, only plain or composite material surfaces.” This wasn't about comfort; it was about connection.
Beneath the rear clamshell sat a twin-turbocharged 2.9-liter V8, derived from the 288 GTO but thoroughly reworked. A revised compression ratio, increased boost, and updated engine management yielded a claimed 478 horsepower—delivered to the rear wheels via a five-speed open-gate manual. Performance was staggering: zero-to-60 mph in under four seconds and a top speed just north of 200. But raw numbers weren't the point.
The F40 offered no power steering, no ABS, no traction control—just immediate, unfiltered response. It was loud, hot, and demanding. But for those who could rise to the challenge, it was transcendent. It was the last car signed off by Enzo Ferrari, and it felt like a parting statement: bold, uncompromised, and built for drivers, not passengers. Ferrari's 40th birthday wasn't about looking back—it was about setting a new standard. And with the F40 it did exactly that.
With the initial expectation and announcement of plans to produce 400 F40 supercars over just a few years, Ferrari finally ceased production in 1992 after 1,311 examples. Just 213 would be officially delivered to U.S. dealerships in that span. According to original sales documentation accompanying the sale of the car, this 1991 F40 was originally delivered to Autohaus Inc. of Cohasset, Massachusetts, via Ferrari North America. A copy of the window sticker reveals the otherworldly specification known to many enthusiasts, and the suggested retail price of $423,250—nearly three times the cost of a Testarossa. On 29 July 1991 the car received its pre-delivery inspection and was sold a day later to the owner of Viking Oldsmobile Cadillac GMC, a dealership based in Newport, Rhode Island. The car was retained by its original owner for just a few years before passing to an individual based in New York who would retain the car until 2025, a span of 32 years! Under the long-term stewardship, the CARFAX Vehicle History Report reveals a slow and steady accumulation of mileage that, at the time of cataloging, reads a remarkable 1,701 original miles.
As expected, with limited use and under single ownership for over three decades, the car is an F40 purist delight. The entire car is a canvas that reveals how Ferrari originally constructed these cars when new. Beyond the straightforward classification of "matching numbers” there are numerous other important details that appear on chassis 89653 that only seasoned experts tend to recognize or fully appreciate. The body number “48” appears on the traditionally viewed locations on the door hinges, but further still within the rear wing element edge. Given the hidden nature of this number, viewing requires disassembly of the rear wing. Few people are aware of this important marking, but a picture is on file for review. Further still, a little-known fact on F40s is the fuel caps on either side are labeled with small markings of “S” (Sinistra) and “D” (Destra) in the epoxy denoting “left” and “right.” It is essential to closely inspect these markings to ensure they have not been switched, indicating possible signs of damage. As one would expect with such an original car, the markings are present and correctly placed on the corresponding side.
Beyond the hard stampings and numbers, numerous nut and bolt paint markings survive, such as the traditional front suspension stamps denoting its “USA” delivery. Additionally, the correct factory finish of black inside the rear clamshell hinges remains intact—a subtle detail often overlooked, as this area is frequently painted red on cars that have had the roof repainted. Further still, the original Ferrari and Speedline etching on all four wheels is present and clear, something which is impossible to replicate correctly, and it continues to wear a period-correct set of Pirelli P Zero tires. As the studious F40 cognoscenti know, while U.S. delivery examples carried a modicum of additional weight, they produced nearly 40 more horsepower than their European brethren. Further U.S. specification details abound. It retains its correct aluminum fuel tanks with internal pumps that avoid the costly five-year replacement cycle, DOT bumpers, two-piece seats, and is without the variable ride height system. Furthermore, the Ferrari retains its tools and manuals in leather case, which includes its original serialized service book.
In preparation for sale, this reference-grade F40 visited P1 Motor Cars of Norwalk, Connecticut in July 2025 for a thorough servicing to maintain optimal mechanical health to pair with its outstanding original cosmetic condition—standards now expected at the top of the market. Widely regarded as one of the greatest supercars ever built, the Ferrari F40 occupies a near-mythical status among collectors and enthusiasts alike—its raw performance, race-bred engineering, and uncompromising design continue to inspire awe and reverence nearly four decades after its debut. Presented here in remarkably original condition with exceptionally low mileage and long-term ownership, this example represents the F40 in its purest and most coveted form—a museum-worthy icon that commands the deepest admiration from true connoisseurs of the marque.
From rare classics to modern supercars, 170 collector cars will be offered during this exciting two-day event. Visit broadarrowauctions.com to browse the full catalog and register to bid.
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