What’s old is new again in Maranello. After dusting off the Testarossa name to replace the SF90 Stradale, Ferrari continues to celebrate its illustrious past. The SC40 is not a direct successor to the legendary F40, but it borrows many design cues from the last car personally approved by Enzo Ferrari. It begins life as a 296 GTB, although you wouldn’t know it right away as the body has been completely reimagined.
While the original F40 was written by PininfarinaThe SC40 is an in-house creation from Ferrari’s design centre, led by Flavio Manzoni. Side note: The Prancing Horse hasn’t sold a Pininfarina-designed model since 2017, when the 812 Superfast replaced the F12berlinetta. The visual connection to the final Il Commendatore project may not be obvious at first glance, but the subtle nods are there.
For example, the “SC40” logo embossed on the side of the rear wing pays homage to the 1980s icon. Elsewhere, side entrances reflect the unmistakable NACA ducts F40. Some of the 296 GTB’s streamlined curves have been replaced by sharper, more angular lines, a nod to the design language of the Leonardo Fioravanti team.
He said that, Ferrari It is not set to rebuild the F40. The SC40 is described as “a model with its own distinct personality.” If it were a true tribute, it would have pop-up headlights, a gated manual gearbox, and a twin-turbo V-8. Instead, the 296 GTB stays underneath, hence the oversized “Charge” text on the aluminum fuel door behind the driver.
Aside from the custom-designed bodywork, the white paint and wheels are exclusive to this car. Although it has two cylinders, the V-6 sits below smoked Lexan intakes that enhance the visual connection to the F40. The stark “Stormy” look won’t appeal to everyone, but the extent of the transformation is beyond the norm 296 GTB Impressive.
Inside, the changes are minimal but meaningful. Extensive use of Kevlar conveys the spirit of the F40, covering most of the interior, from the steering wheel and dashboard to the floor mats, footwells and seats.
Ferrari hasn’t revealed the price, but it’s safe to assume the SC40 will cost significantly more than the 296 GTB’s base figure of $346,950. Models created through Ferrari’s Special Projects program typically take around two years to complete, with the owner actively involved in the design and validation phases.
There will only be one SC40 ever made, but visitors to the Ferrari Museum in Maranello can already admire the full-sized design dollar.
This may not be the last honor. We may eventually see something else if Lewis Hamilton gets his way. The seven-time Formula 1 champion has expressed interest in collaborating with Ferrari in the so-called “F-44” Complete with a manual gearbox and styling inspired by the legendary F40.
