1990 Ferrari F40

Completed in October 1990, this magnificent F40 is the 79th of just 213 examples built specifically for the US market. Originally finished in Rosso Corsa with distinctive Stoffa Vigogna upholstery, this Ferrari supercar was sold new to Paul Goldenberg of La Habra, California.

In 1991, this F40 made its first public appearance at the Ferrari Owners Club’s US concours. Two years later, Mr. Goldenberg’s Ferrari returned to Monterey, California, to take part in Concorso Italiano. With its dramatic styling, extraordinary performance, and personalized “1199CHP” California registration, Mr. Goldenberg’s Ferrari must have been a rather conspicuous sight traveling between Los Angeles and Monterey along Highway 101.

When Mr. Goldenberg took delivery of a new F50 in mid-1995, he traded his F40 in to Ferrari of Beverly Hills. In September 1995, Ferrari of Beverly Hills advertised the F40 for sale, describing the car as, “red, one owner, mint condition, with 6,000 miles.”

Five years later, Ferrari of Beverly Hills again offered the F40 for sale and, in December 2000, a new title was issued at the Villa Park DMV, suggesting that the car was sold to an Illinois resident.

Since being acquired by the current caretaker in October 2002, the F40 has led a sheltered existence. Over the past 10 years the F40 has accrued less than 100 miles, and at the time of cataloguing the odometer displayed 7,035 original miles.

Overall, the bodywork and paint appear to be in lovely condition and show no signs of significant wear or damage. The F40’s original features remain undisturbed, and the car has a proper stance thanks to its correct Speedline wheels and Goodyear Eagle GS-A tires. The interior, with its red Nomex-covered racing buckets, looks splendid and is outfitted with the original Klippan seatbelts and a period-correct Pioneer stereo. Furthermore, the F40’s open compartments appear to be entirely stock and complete with the all-important federalization stickers, factory-applied yellow paint markings, and USA stencils on the upper wishbones.

All in all, this F40 has the characteristics of an original car that has spent the past two decades in the hands of passionate and knowledgeable collectors. In addition to the original tool pouches and owner’s handbooks, this F40 is offered with a dossier compiled by Ferrari historian Marcel Massini and a CARFAX Vehicle History Report. Although the F40 has spent more than a decade in static storage, Norbert Hofer of Grand Touring Classics recently performed a service and inspection in preparation for its appearance at auction.

Rapidly approaching its 25th anniversary, the F40 is beginning to attract the attention of forward-thinking collectors in search of the next generation of blue-chip automobiles. The qualities sought in a classic Ferrari – rarity, condition, authenticity, provenance, and historical significance – are abundant in this exceptional F40 and speak to its immense desirability.