Ferrari creates one-off SC40, a tribute to the F40

The single-car special project is essentially a 296 GTB but with personalized design elements.

Ferrari SC40 driver side — *The Ferrari SC40 is a one-off special project. – Ferrari S.p.A. photo*

It’s evident the world wants more Ferrari F40s.

Ferrari Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton even told Reuters in September he has sold off his entire car collection to concentrate on his new hobby collection, art. However, if there’s one car he could get his hands on and put it in his garage, it would be the F40. He’s even asked his employer to build him a special F40-like model, possibly calling it an F44 (44 is his racing number).

The trouble is one does not simply acquire an F40, even if you have deep pockets like Hamilton.

*Here’s an example of a Ferrari F40, as seen as the Toronto auto show in recent years. – Empty Tank photo*

Only 1,315 were made between 1987 to 1992, so even the most recent examples are more than 30 years old. And owners of F40s that are are still in driving condition don’t frequently show up with their cars on sales lots.

So what is a person to do?

Enter Ferrari’s personalization program.

Ferrari announced its has created a one-off (yes, just a single car) called the SC40, a car that was personalized around the desires of a single client. In this case, the buyer’s desires were clearly the F40.

Ferrari SC40 rear — *The Ferrari SC40 has a fixed wing. – Ferrari S.p.A. photo*

The car is essentially a 296 GTB, retaining that car’s mid-engine V6 hybrid powertrain, architecture and chassis, but containing design elements intended to remind you of the F40.

And no, there’s no gated six-speed manual transmission. An F1 eight-speed DCT automatic handles the gear changes.

There are sharp, angular lines mixed with soft transitions.

The “SC40” name is etched into the right side of the rear wing, just as the F40 had on its fixed wing.

Ferrari SC40 script on right side of wing — *The “SC40” script is etched into the right side of the fixed wing. – Ferrari S.p.A. photo*

Theme continues inside

Red seats stand out against the dark interior materials, just like in the F40.

Ferrari said the interior uses Kevlar, a material also found in the F40, but in this case the carbon-Kevlar material was redeveloped for this project. This material is found in the footwells, behind the seats, parts of the floor mats, the steering wheel, dashboard inserts, engine bay and luggage compartment.

Ferrari SC40 interior — *The Ferrari F40’s influence can be seen inside the SC40. – Ferrari S.p.A. photo*

The upholstery is a combination of charcoal Alcantara and what Ferrari called red Jacquard technical fabric.

The Prancing Horse logo appears on the headrests and the SC40 logo appears on the seats.

But, Ferrari said, the goal was not to create a literal reinterpretation of the F40, but to make a car with its own personality.

The car also maintains all the modern elements of the 296 GTB.

Ferrari SC40 engine bay — *The engine bay uses Kevlar materials. – Ferrari S.p.A. photo*

Specs

Here are some vehicle specs, as reported by Ferrari:

Engine – 120-degree twin-turbo V6
Transmission – eight-speed F1 DCT
Engine power output – 654 hp (663 CV)
Total power output – 818 hp (830 CV)
Max torque – 546 lb.-ft. (740 Nm) at 6,250 rpm
Max revs – 8,500 rpm
Battery capacity – 7.45 kWh
Dry weight – 1,550 kilograms

Ferrari SC40 front — *The Ferrari SC40 is influenced by the F40 but is its own unique model. – Ferrari S.p.A. photo*

Performance

Ferrari provided the following performance figures:

Max speed – more than 330 km/h (205 mph)
Zero to 100 km/h – 2.9 seconds
Zero to 200 km/h – 7.3 seconds
Braking 200 km/h to zero – 107 metres

Ferrari SC40 view of top — *The Ferrari SC40 is being publicly displayed in Italy for now. – Ferrari S.p.A. photo*

The car is on display at the Ferrari Museum in Maranello as of Saturday, Oct. 18.