One of the rarest Ferrari F40s, uniquely outfitted with a V12 engine, is about to change hands. This extraordinary supercar, built by Simpson Motorsport, will be auctioned by Iconic Auctioneers later this month at the Silverstone Festival. It stands out as the only Ferrari F40 to feature a V12 engine, making it a coveted piece for collectors and enthusiasts alike.
The Ferrari F40, initially celebrated for being the first Prancing Horse to surpass the 200 mph mark and briefly holding the title of the world’s fastest production car, traditionally housed a twin-turbocharged 2.9-liter V-8 engine generating 471 hp. However, race car driver Stefano Sebastiani envisioned something more powerful for his F40. Starting with a crash-tested chassis provided by Ferrari, Sebastiani commissioned Simpson Motorsport to transform the car. The rebuild included fitting it with a naturally aspirated 5.5-liter V12 engine from a 550 Maranello, elevating the car’s output to an impressive 542 hp.
In addition to the engine upgrade, the F40 underwent several significant modifications. These included the installation of a Hewland transmission, which was later upgraded to a six-speed sequential gearbox in 2005, and the use of a lightened F40 GTE race car body. An FIA-spec roll cage was also added for enhanced safety. Despite the addition of the heavier V12 engine, the car weighs just 2,370 pounds, significantly lighter than the standard road-going F40’s 2,765 pounds and the U.S. version’s 3,018 pounds. These changes were made with racing in mind, and the car indeed saw considerable track action.
Between 2002 and 2006, the V12 F40 participated in 13 races, achieving notable success, including a second-place finish at the Britcar Oulton Park circuit in 2006. After its racing career ended, the car was placed in dry storage and has been meticulously maintained since.
The 1992 Simpson-Ferrari V12 GTR is set to go under the hammer on the first day of Iconic’s Silverstone auction, which runs from Friday, August 23, to Sunday, August 25. The auction house anticipates that this unique race car will fetch between £500,000 and £600,000, equivalent to approximately $639,000 to $766,000. This auction presents a rare opportunity to own a one-of-a-kind piece of automotive history, blending the legendary F40’s design with the raw power of a Ferrari V12 engine.
