Autoblog

Lee Iacocca's Ferrari F40 up for auction

Noah Joseph — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 20:01:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Auctions, Ferrari

Supercars play a volatile and ever-changing game of one-upmanship. With each new generation outperforming the last, it takes something truly special to endure the test of time. The Ferrari F40 is such an icon.

Built to celebrate Ferrari's fortieth anniversary, the F40 was the most extreme Ferrari ever produced to date, and the last to be ushered into production under the watchful eye of its founder Enzo Ferrari. Popular demand saw its original intended production run of 400 expand to over 1,300, but just 213 were made for the American market. This one is noteworthy.

This particular F40, you see, was built for Lee Iacocca during his tenure as chief executive at Chrysler. When the CEO of a major automaker orders a vehicle from another automaker, it says a lot. Even more so in this instance, because when this Ferrari was built, Iacocca's Chrysler also owned Lamborghini - Ferrari's longtime rival.

With fewer than 300 miles on the odometer and three owners in its twenty-one year history, this F40 is set to cross the auction block in one week at RM Auctions' event in Arizona. Follow the jump for the full listing, and check out the extensive image gallery for a closer look.

Continue reading Lee Iacocca's Ferrari F40 up for auction

Lee Iacocca's Ferrari F40 up for auction originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 15 Jan 2012 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Liberty Walk shows us how Japan does Lamborghini customs

Jonathon Ramsey — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 20:02:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Performance, Japan, Lamborghini, Luxury

Anywhere you find rabid car culture you'll find rabid tuners. Japan's no different, where the make-it-hotter ethos applies to everything. When it comes to Lamborghini, Chrysler, and yes, even the Suzuki Every kei car, Wataru Kato's 18-year-old Liberty Walk shop wants to be the last word in entertainment - not only for owners, but also for visitors.

Liberty Walk designs its own parts and applies them to a range of vehicles that go from the understated to the unbelievable. Kato says he wants his shop to be an amusement park for kids who just want to be around supercars. (We assume he means kids of all ages.)

Follow the jump for a video showcasing his work. If we make it there, we might start by asking to play with Kato's white Ferrari F40...

Continue reading Liberty Walk shows us how Japan does Lamborghini customs

Liberty Walk shows us how Japan does Lamborghini customs originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 31 Dec 2011 20:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: (The Real) Top Gear returns this Sunday

Jeff Glucker — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: Videos, Porsche, Volkswagen, Ferrari

Top Gear returns for Series 16 - Click above to watch video after the jump

The first season of Top Gear USA is in the books and as it closes its rookie outing with mixed reviews, the original BBC version is ready to kick off. The new season will be the 16th series for Top Gear and is set to air Sunday, January 23 on BBC 2 and BBC HD. Those of us in the States will have to wait a bit longer, depending on your preferred means of obtaining the show.

Top Gear has put out a trailer of what's in store for the upcoming season, including segments on how to kill a classic Volkswagen Beetle, a battle between a Ferrari F40 and a Porsche 959, the best way to land a helicopter on top of a car and... well... whatever's going on in the picture above.

Hop the jump to check out the trailer and prep your favorite torrent app for Sunday.

[Source: Top Gear]

Continue reading Video: (The Real) Top Gear returns this Sunday

Video: (The Real) Top Gear returns this Sunday originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 Jan 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Monterey 2010: Ferrari F40 birthday bash at Concorso

Frank Filipponio — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 15:38:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Coupe, Performance, Ferrari

Ferrari F40s at the 2010 Concorso Italiano - Click above for high-res image gallery

Concorso Italiano threw a party for the legendary Ferrari F40, and the turnout was, well, almost as good as the car itself. Thousands of show attendees were treated to more than a dozen examples of Enzo Ferrari's final project.

As you probably know, the F40 was named to celebrate Ferrari's 40th anniversary, and the celebration at Concorso honored the 20th anniversary of the car's 1990 arrival here in the States. (Let's not quibble over the fact that Ferrari the company was actually born in 1947, meaning the F40 should have actually arrived in 1987. The show car was first unveiled in 1987 and that's good enough for us.)

The late arrival of what some still view as the ultimate supercar did nothing to dampen the spirits of the men and boys who fell in love with it at first sight and still carry a torch for it today. The F40 celebration was one great reason to go to Concorso Italiano this year. If you didn't have the opportunity to attend in person, hit the gallery below to see how the lineup of F40s looked at one of Monterey week's biggest exhibitions.

Gallery: Monterey 2010: F40 reunion at Concorso Italiano

Monterey 2010: Ferrari F40 birthday bash at Concorso originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 14 Aug 2010 15:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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How a 60-hour restorative detail brought this Ferrari F40 back to life

Zach Bowman — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 19:58:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Coupe, Performance, Ferrari

Todd Cooperider's 60-hour Ferrari F40 detail job - Click above for high-res image gallery

Detailing an uber-rare exotic like a Ferrari F40 isn't exactly like slathering your Corolla with Dawn dish detergent in your driveway. Restoring the paint on a Prancing Horse of that caliber requires equal parts chemistry, experience and patience. Need proof? Look no further than detailing guru Todd Cooperider's 60-hour job on a 3,500-mile F40. The 43-year-old Cooperider has been obsessed with bringing out the best in paint since he was a kid, but turned to professional detailing just three years ago. Since then, he's become the go-to-guy for owners of exotic metal of various vintage, make, model and flavor. He even had the honor of being named one of AutoWeek's top 9 detailers in the U.S last year.

For most of us, getting anywhere near one of the world's most legendary supercars with a power tool is a recipe for the kind of disaster that's funny later but expensive now. But Cooperider's extensive experience allowed him to tackle the big-bad Ferrari with all of the weapons in his arsenal without fret. Even with so few miles, the paint had suffered the effects of 20 years of occasional enjoyment, and as such, multiple scratches and blemishes were present all over the car. Cooperider worked out which polishing compound, pad and sealant to use with this particular car and set to work.

Follow the jump to see how he did it...

Gallery: 60 Hour Ferrari F40 Detail Job

Continue reading How a 60-hour restorative detail brought this Ferrari F40 back to life

How a 60-hour restorative detail brought this Ferrari F40 back to life originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 Aug 2010 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2010 Dana Point Concours d'Elegance at the St. Regis

Frank Filipponio — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 13:28:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Classics, Performance, Bugatti, Porsche, Ferrari, Specialty, Design/Style, Luxury, Racing

2010 Dana Point Concours d'Elegance - Click above for high-res image gallery

It seems a bit odd calling this the 28th Annual Dana Point Concours d'Elegance when it's only been in this city for three years and has only had that name officially for one, but after spending a good portion of Sunday at the St. Regis and its Monarch Bay golf course, it really felt like this is where this show was always meant to be. With dramatic views of the ocean, the rolling greenery of the links and the surrounding mansions, the venue feels like it was built solely to play host to Southern California's premiere concours.

Second only to Pebble Beach in prominence among the California concours, Dana Point has really come of its own. With nearly 200 judged entries and perhaps an equal number of display vehicles, it's a big show that still manages to feel manageable, and the field of entrants was once again amazing. This year's show honored 100 years of Alfa Romeo, 80 years of Pininfarina and 20 years of the Ferrari F40, as well as drag racing legend Don "The Snake" Prudhomme. Classes included American Pony & Muscle Cars, Corvettes to 1967, Kustoms & Hot Rods, and the second annual exhibit of Supercars, as well as a new category for vintage motorcycles.

With proceeds going to support the Ocean Institute, the Mary & Dick Allen Diabetes Center at Hoag Hospital and other Southern California youth charities, the Dana Point Concours is run as a Classic Car Club of America (CCCA) Concours, but with some of those additional classes thrown in to showcase particularly interesting and relevant automobiles. Just take a look at the photo above and you'll see the wide variety of outstanding vehicles that this show attracts. Click through the rest of the gallery and you'll see everything from a Bugatti 57SC to the nicest Oldsmobile Starfire you're ever likely to encounter.

Some favorites this year included just about everything in the gallery, but especially the low mileage original '57 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham, '32 Ford Phaeton Hot Rod, '58 Ferrari 250 Tour de France, '59 Ferrari 250 GT Series I Pinin Farina Cab, 1980 Kawasaki K2, "Animal House" Death Mobile, that crazy cute 1957 Fiat "Eden Rock" Yacht Tender, and the fantastic '52 Muntz Jet Convertible. The Muntz, however, wasn't our top pick. That honor had to go to the Bugatti among the classics, Don Prudhomme's funny car collection among the American cars and the Alfa Romeo TZ2 GT Coupe as the car we'd most like to drive. Click below to check out the massive gallery and pick out your favorites.

Gallery: 2010 Dana Point Concours

2010 Dana Point Concours d'Elegance at the St. Regis originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Jun 2010 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ferrari F40 reunion planned for 2010 Concorso Italiano

Drew Phillips — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 19:58:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Performance, Ferrari

2009 Concorso Italiano - Click above for high-res image gallery

There's something special about seeing a supercar in person, and it's a once in a lifetime event to see several in the same place. It's for that reason we're big fans of supercar reunions. Last year, as part of the Monterey Classic Car Week festivities, Concorso Italiano hosted a Ferrari 288 GTO reunion as part of the car's 25th anniversary, and an incredible fifteen examples showed up, making it the largest gathering ever.

Concorso plans to outdo itself this year with another Ferrari reunion, this time with the F40. More than a dozen owners have already signed on to bring their cars, and we fully expect plenty more to be on hand come August 13th. In fact, the event organizers hope to have more than 40 examples in attendance. The F40's project director, Leonardo Fioravanti, is also scheduled to make an appearance.

If you're a big fan of the F40 or even just Italian supercars in general, then start making your plans to be in Monterey in a little over four months. Until then, take a look at what you missed out on last year in the galleries below.

Gallery: 2009 Concorso Italiano

Gallery: Ferrari 288 GTO 25th Anniversary Reunion

Ferrari F40 reunion planned for 2010 Concorso Italiano originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 09 Apr 2010 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ferrari F40 thrown in as closing gift with purchase of Malibu home

Steven J. Ewing — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 09:13:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Etc., Ferrari

Now this is what we call a closing bonus. If you have $4.4 million to drop on a new home in Malibu, we highly recommend this gem. Not only does it net you 6,000 square feet of living space on a half-acre lot with expansive ocean views, but the homeowner is throwing in his Ferrari F40 to sweeten the deal.

The house features five bedrooms, five bathrooms and enough garage space to park 13 cars, one of which will be the aforementioned mint-condition F40. The car, valued at approximately $750,000, has under 800 miles on the odometer, and most of you will remember that the Ferrari F40 was the first street-legal production car capable of exceeding the 200-mph mark. It's an icon, and we can't think of a better housewarming gift. The catch? In order to secure the car, the home must be purchased before June 30, 2010. Get your checkbooks out.

[Source: The Malibu Real Estate Blog via Wallet Pop | Photo: Frank Filipponio]

Ferrari F40 thrown in as closing gift with purchase of Malibu home originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 03 Apr 2010 09:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: Ferrari 599 GTO? EVO says 700-hp bruiser is on the way

Jonny Lieberman — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 19:27:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Europe, Ferrari, Rumormill

Ferrari 599XX - click above for hi-res image gallery

Few words have greater impact when mashed together than "Ferrari" and "GTO." While there are rivals at times, the most expensive car in the word for the last three decades has been the original, Daytona Coupe battling, Le Mans winning Ferrari 250 GTO. Designed by Giotto Bizzarrini and raced into history by Phil Hill, few cars wear the moniker "legendary" quite as well. After all, only 39 were ever made.

But, like Leah, there is another. The mighty Ferrari 288 GTO. Developed -- like Porsche's 959 and 961 -- for Group B action, few if any cars set our hearts so totally on fire. Know nothings might scoff at the 2.85-liter displacement, but those of us in the know will point to the two turbochargers, two intercoolers and 400 stampeding horses. We might even tell them that if they turned the boost pressure up from 11.6 psi to something a bit higher, 600 hp is well within reach. However, the 288 GTO isn't, as just 272 examples (though some say 273) were made. Compare that to the 1,315 Ferrari F40s that were built. A car we should point out, that's basically a 288 GTO with a body kit.

Now there might be three. EVO is reporting that Ferrari is about to let loose a new GTO upon the world in the form of a 700 horsepower monster called the 599 GTO. Obviously, it's an evolution of the street 599, and in fact EVO's claiming it's the racetrack only 599XX for the street. During a recent interview, Ferrari CEO Amedeo Felisa told the Brit mag that when the 458 Italia debuted, the 599 was internally reassigned to the "Sports Car" division, instead of where it used to reside, as a "GT."

More interestingly, should it come to fruition, the 599 GTO will have specs to make Enzo owners smack their own foreheads. 700 hp will come from the raising the 6.0-liter V12's redline to a stunning 9,000 rpm. A faster transmission should shave gear change times down from 100 milliseconds to an essentially F1 quick 60 milliseconds. And it will be light. Everything should add up to a 3.2 second dash to 60 mph and an Enzo-matching top speed of 217 mph. Though if the 599 GTO went a little bit faster than that, we wouldn't be all that surprised. Tip of the Ferrari branded $50 Kimi Räikkönen baseball cap (no, really) to Kevin!

Gallery: Geneva 2009: Ferrari 599xx

[Source: EVO]

Rumormill: Ferrari 599 GTO? EVO says 700-hp bruiser is on the way originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 Jan 2010 19:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Embarrassment of Riches - Ferrari F40 meets 430 Scuderia

Chris Paukert — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 12:27:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Videos, Supercars, Ferrari, UK

Click above to watch the video after the jump

When you think of a successor to Ferrari's watershed F40 supercar, the 430 Scuderia, incredible as it is, probably doesn't come immediately to mind. Instead, you're more likely to have visions of the F50 and Enzo dancing in your head. While that's a fair mental association, as Autocar reveals in this installment of their "Meet The Ancestors" video series, the Scud does share many of the same qualities, including a banshee wail of a soundtrack, stunning visuals, and a focus on minimalism (which the older car raised to an art form).

Direct descendant or no, any video that features the visuals and unfettered vocals of two of our favorite Ferraris deserves a look. Check it out after the jump.

Gallery: Ferrari F430 Scuderia

[Source: Autocar via YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: Embarrassment of Riches - Ferrari F40 meets 430 Scuderia

VIDEO: Embarrassment of Riches - Ferrari F40 meets 430 Scuderia originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Jun 2009 12:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Old vs. New - Ferrari 599 shows F40 a thing or two

Dan Roth — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 18:38:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Supercars, Ferrari, First Drives

Click above to view video

It's always nice when money gets thrown at making epic videos of cars, and this one is so beautifully produced that it obviously cost a bundle. What could be more epic than a couple of Ferraris being treated like the rentals Rowdy and Cole duked it out with in Days Of Thunder? Okay, Ferrari and NASCAR, ne'er the twain shall meet, but what we do have here is a fantastically beautiful video of a Ferrari 599 showing the F40 what an old man it's become. Let's see, do we want to take the comfortable, easy-driving, fighter-jet fast GT, or would we prefer the raucous, painful, finicky throwback that's nearly as fast but is probably more exhilarating due simply to the cacophony behind your head? Either could be fun - follow the jump to see for yourself. Thanks for the tip, Johnny!

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: Old vs. New - Ferrari 599 shows F40 a thing or two

VIDEO: Old vs. New - Ferrari 599 shows F40 a thing or two originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 Mar 2008 18:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pebble Beach Week 2007: The Monterey Historics at Laguna Seca, Pt. II

Frank Filipponio — Sat, 25 Aug 2007 10:56:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Classics, Ferrari

While we already brought you an initial post from the Rolex Monterey Historic Automobile Races, there was so much more action at the track that we wanted to show off more of the great shots we got from Laguna Seca last week. Today's track pics come from earlier in the week and include some action from the special Ferrari 60th anniversary tribute, the parade of F40s to celebrate that iconic supercar's 20th birthday, and a few other classes we didn't get to see on Saturday. Things like IMSA GT and Can-Am, classic GP cars and GT racers of the '50s and '60s. We don't think you'll be disappointed.

These typically gorgeous action shots come courtesy of our friend Drew Phillips of Fast-Autos.net. We've also filled in a few paddock shots that show just how huge this event really is. If you've never attended an event like this, there's simply no way to describe how you'll feel the first time you see a dozen Bentley racers all lined up. We highly recommend making it up to Monterey next August or taking in any of the other vintage races that take place around the country.

Gallery: Pebble Beach Week 2007: The Monterey Historics at Laguna Seca, Pt. II

Pebble Beach Week 2007: The Monterey Historics at Laguna Seca, Pt. II originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 25 Aug 2007 10:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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UK blessed with right-hand drive 300C SRT-8 Touring

Frank Filipponio — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 15:10:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Chrysler

We recently had a discussion amongst the AB staff about our idea of the perfect go-anywhere, do-anything dream car. We started with exotics and supercars and then started to get realistic and talk shifted to more versatile and practical cars that are still fun to drive. The Hemi Magnum was mentioned more than once during that chat. And Chrysler's Estate version of the 300C is very similar, but with a slightly more elegant visage.

We also know of a Ferrari F40 owner who swears that his SRT-8 Mopar is just as much fun to drive as his f-car. Why do we mention this? To be cordial, and to remind everyone of how wonderful these cars and wagons can be. Well, the Brits are now getting a chance to sample some more of that wonder as well, via the release of the 300C SRT-8 estate in right-hand drive.

Starting next year, the Touring version of the 300C SRT-8 will be available to UK customers with a base price of £40,990. The SRT-8 Touring will use the same stump-pulling 6.1-litre, 425 hp Hemi V8 engine as the SRT-8 "saloon," which can push this beast from 0 to 60 in 5 seconds and on to a top speed of 168mph. Look for it on dealership lots in February 2007.

[Source: DaimlerChrysler UK]

UK blessed with right-hand drive 300C SRT-8 Touring originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 08 Dec 2006 15:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Low-budget Ferrari F40 up for auction

Stuart Waterman — Thu, 03 Aug 2006 16:02:00 EST

Filed under: Auctions, Etc.

This, um, unique Ferrari F40-inspired vehicle is apparently based on a 1980 Suzuki 100gx (with a Ford Escort engine). The mini supercar is currently up for bids on the Dutch auction site Markplaats.nl, where the high bid at this writing is €1,001 ($1,276). Before and after pics follow the jump!

[via autoblog.nl]

Continue reading Low-budget Ferrari F40 up for auction

Low-budget Ferrari F40 up for auction originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Aug 2006 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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