OT: Ferrari F40 – One hour Ride!!!
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From: Milwaukee, WI, USA
OT: Ferrari F40 – One hour Ride!!!
On Saturday night I received a one hour ride in my favorite car of all time! A 1992 Ferrari F40! The entire vehicle is hand constructed and is comprised almost entirely of carbon fiber and kevlar. It heart is a 478 HP twin turbocharged V8. Its zero to sixty time is a shocking 3.8 seconds and top speed is 201 mph.
The owner has been an acquaintance/friend of mine for several years. On Saturday night I crossed paths with him at the local burger hangout as I often do. During our conversation I enthusiastically said, "I'd love to get a ride in your car some day" He smiled and said, I'm going to head downtown and check out the Harley Davidson crowd. You are welcome to come along."
There's no way I can accurately explain in words what went through my mind at that instant. It was smiply hard to believe I was finally going to get a ride in this amazing car.
So at about 12:15 A.M. I carefully crawled into the passenger seat. Since the car is so low, you need to strategically fall into the seat. When standing next the car the top of the vehicle comes up to about my belly button (44.3 inches to be exact).
Once the door was closed and my seat belt was latched and we proceeded to leave the parking lot. I must have been pretty excited since I remember having tunnel vision before the car even started moving! Fortunately my vision came back to normal, at least for a couple minutes while we taxied the F40 to the downtown expressway entrance ramp.
During this time I was able look around the cabin and observe Italian design first hand. As expected, the interior is simple and free from instrument clutter. There is no radio, no door handles (cable actuated), and no upholstery covering the beautiful carbon fiber doors. This is a street legal race car and all items that do not make the car faster are not included.
While admiring the dash, I took note of the deeply recessed green glowing gauges. This characteristic made it impossible for me to see the max speed on the speedo from the passenger seat. However, I was mesmerized by the universal logo for BOOST in a gauge just right of the steering wheel.
Several moments later we approach the clover shaped downtown entrance ramp. We stopped momentarily at the yield sign to let a few underpowered vehicles in front of us get out of our way. Then we were off! With the sifter in first the F40 surged forward and quickly made its way around the bend. The car stayed flat without any noticeable body roll. Just prior to merging, Jim aggressively gets on the gas. I glance over at the boost gauge and see the needle quickly surpassing 12 pounds. My body is pinned back into the deep Kevlar seat. The trust of the acceleration was breathtaking! The massive rear tires begin to spin and Jim nonchalantly counter steers back and forth to keep the car going straight. He then shifted gears and the exciting procedure was repeated in the next gear.
I was a bit surprised to experience the progressive power of the turbo engine to be remarkably smooth. Even with a race suspension the drive downtown was not uncomfortable. The carbon fiber body provided a unique road feel unlike steel frames. The loudest element of the car was the brakes. They are extremely loud, especially just prior to a complete stop. The high pitch screeching sound you hear at the train station is almost identical to the sound of the ceramic rotors and carbon brake pads. If the eye popping red paint on this low slung Ferrari did not catch peoples attention then the squealing brakes did the job.
Our trip took us to the lake front and then back west through the busy downtown streets of Milwaukee. Even though it was after midnight the streets were packed with people because of the 100 year Harley Davidson anniversary. During our visit with the F40 we temporarily stole the show from the bikers. Jim, the owner, is a kid at heart and would regularly stomp on the gas! In addition he would race ANYBODY, even if it was some 16 year old in his Cavalier who wanted to run.
I have NEVER seen a vehicle that gets this much attention (and so it should with a sticker price exceeding $400,000). Nearly everyone would turn, smile, and point at you.
The most memorable part of the trip was downtown, while when we stopped at a red light (first row) between two outside restaurants. Dozens of people were lining both sites of the street just walking, mingling or eating. Nearly everyone turned their head to gawk at the car. Of course I was looking up at everyone, grinning ear to ear. You could hear a bunch of people compliment the car or just give you thumbs up.
One individual Harley owner with long hair, big grey beard, and a leather jacket soon stood out from the crowd. He started yelling, Light em up. And while doing so he kept walking closer and closer. Soon this big guy was in the middle of the one way street just outside my door. I was a little uncomfortable but not worried. He said, there guys here with $50,000 Harleys that have done burn outs so you can do it too! This guy would was on a mission, on a mission to instigate breaking the law (I did not object to this idea).
Moments later the light turns green and it felt like I was launched off an aircraft carrier. There was no smoke just acceleration. We reached about 80 mph in an instant and all I saw were the blurred images of parked cars whizzing by on both sides of the street. We were doubling the speed limit in a blink of an eye. Although there was no smokey burnout I was sure that the persistent Harley rider and crowed were entertained.
It was a great experience to ride in such a famous and already classic Ferrari. It's too bad that I did not have my camera along.
Here are a couple pictures I found online.
-Josh
The owner has been an acquaintance/friend of mine for several years. On Saturday night I crossed paths with him at the local burger hangout as I often do. During our conversation I enthusiastically said, "I'd love to get a ride in your car some day" He smiled and said, I'm going to head downtown and check out the Harley Davidson crowd. You are welcome to come along."
There's no way I can accurately explain in words what went through my mind at that instant. It was smiply hard to believe I was finally going to get a ride in this amazing car.
So at about 12:15 A.M. I carefully crawled into the passenger seat. Since the car is so low, you need to strategically fall into the seat. When standing next the car the top of the vehicle comes up to about my belly button (44.3 inches to be exact).
Once the door was closed and my seat belt was latched and we proceeded to leave the parking lot. I must have been pretty excited since I remember having tunnel vision before the car even started moving! Fortunately my vision came back to normal, at least for a couple minutes while we taxied the F40 to the downtown expressway entrance ramp.
During this time I was able look around the cabin and observe Italian design first hand. As expected, the interior is simple and free from instrument clutter. There is no radio, no door handles (cable actuated), and no upholstery covering the beautiful carbon fiber doors. This is a street legal race car and all items that do not make the car faster are not included.
While admiring the dash, I took note of the deeply recessed green glowing gauges. This characteristic made it impossible for me to see the max speed on the speedo from the passenger seat. However, I was mesmerized by the universal logo for BOOST in a gauge just right of the steering wheel.
Several moments later we approach the clover shaped downtown entrance ramp. We stopped momentarily at the yield sign to let a few underpowered vehicles in front of us get out of our way. Then we were off! With the sifter in first the F40 surged forward and quickly made its way around the bend. The car stayed flat without any noticeable body roll. Just prior to merging, Jim aggressively gets on the gas. I glance over at the boost gauge and see the needle quickly surpassing 12 pounds. My body is pinned back into the deep Kevlar seat. The trust of the acceleration was breathtaking! The massive rear tires begin to spin and Jim nonchalantly counter steers back and forth to keep the car going straight. He then shifted gears and the exciting procedure was repeated in the next gear.
I was a bit surprised to experience the progressive power of the turbo engine to be remarkably smooth. Even with a race suspension the drive downtown was not uncomfortable. The carbon fiber body provided a unique road feel unlike steel frames. The loudest element of the car was the brakes. They are extremely loud, especially just prior to a complete stop. The high pitch screeching sound you hear at the train station is almost identical to the sound of the ceramic rotors and carbon brake pads. If the eye popping red paint on this low slung Ferrari did not catch peoples attention then the squealing brakes did the job.
Our trip took us to the lake front and then back west through the busy downtown streets of Milwaukee. Even though it was after midnight the streets were packed with people because of the 100 year Harley Davidson anniversary. During our visit with the F40 we temporarily stole the show from the bikers. Jim, the owner, is a kid at heart and would regularly stomp on the gas! In addition he would race ANYBODY, even if it was some 16 year old in his Cavalier who wanted to run.
I have NEVER seen a vehicle that gets this much attention (and so it should with a sticker price exceeding $400,000). Nearly everyone would turn, smile, and point at you.
The most memorable part of the trip was downtown, while when we stopped at a red light (first row) between two outside restaurants. Dozens of people were lining both sites of the street just walking, mingling or eating. Nearly everyone turned their head to gawk at the car. Of course I was looking up at everyone, grinning ear to ear. You could hear a bunch of people compliment the car or just give you thumbs up.
One individual Harley owner with long hair, big grey beard, and a leather jacket soon stood out from the crowd. He started yelling, Light em up. And while doing so he kept walking closer and closer. Soon this big guy was in the middle of the one way street just outside my door. I was a little uncomfortable but not worried. He said, there guys here with $50,000 Harleys that have done burn outs so you can do it too! This guy would was on a mission, on a mission to instigate breaking the law (I did not object to this idea).
Moments later the light turns green and it felt like I was launched off an aircraft carrier. There was no smoke just acceleration. We reached about 80 mph in an instant and all I saw were the blurred images of parked cars whizzing by on both sides of the street. We were doubling the speed limit in a blink of an eye. Although there was no smokey burnout I was sure that the persistent Harley rider and crowed were entertained.
It was a great experience to ride in such a famous and already classic Ferrari. It's too bad that I did not have my camera along.
Here are a couple pictures I found online.-Josh
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 30,005
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From: Nowhere and Everywhere
Re: OT: Ferrari F40 – One hour Ride!!! (itrsport.com)
Wow, that's unreal... the car is easily worth $700,000+ now. One of the few cars that appreciates with time.
It also has 3 tailpipes in the center, anyone want to guess why?
It also has 3 tailpipes in the center, anyone want to guess why?
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Member
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From: Ohio
Re: OT: Ferrari F40 – One hour Ride!!! (itrsport.com)
Awesome story, such a rare and beautiful car. To ride in one of those truly rare super cars can be a once in a lifetime chance! My father got a chance to ride in an F50 once, and told me he would have given up his house and family for it 
Collector-o-Guns and 
Drinker
DrinkerJoined: Jul 2000
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From: Armed
Re: OT: Ferrari F40 – One hour Ride!!! (canuckr)
Glad to hear it's getting whored out on the streets instead of sitting in a climate-controlled garage with 8 miles on the odometer.
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From: Melbourne, AUSTRALIA
Re: OT: Ferrari F40 – One hour Ride!!! (canuckr)
Congrats dood.... I bet they had to surgically remove your 'grin', after the drive!? 
It would sure be nice, to know someone with such a legendary vehicle and who drives it how it should be!!
Here's a link to thread, where the guy got a ride in his buddy's 'McLaren F1' - <A HREF="http://www.s2ki.com/forums/showthre...30&pagenumber=1
" TARGET="_blank">http://www.s2ki.com/forums/sho...r=1
</A>
Now if I could just get to know someone who has an 'McLaren F1LM'.... I mean just cause they only made 5, shouldn't stop me (surely)?!
Modified by Aussie_ITR-0239 at 10:58 AM 9/2/2003
It would sure be nice, to know someone with such a legendary vehicle and who drives it how it should be!!
Here's a link to thread, where the guy got a ride in his buddy's 'McLaren F1' - <A HREF="http://www.s2ki.com/forums/showthre...30&pagenumber=1
" TARGET="_blank">http://www.s2ki.com/forums/sho...r=1
</A>
Now if I could just get to know someone who has an 'McLaren F1LM'.... I mean just cause they only made 5, shouldn't stop me (surely)?!
Modified by Aussie_ITR-0239 at 10:58 AM 9/2/2003
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Re: OT: Ferrari F40 – One hour Ride!!! (itrsport.com)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by itrsport.com »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The loudest element of the car was the brakes. They are extremely loud, especially just prior to a complete stop. The high pitch screeching sound you hear at the train station is almost identical to the sound of the ceramic rotors and carbon brake pads. </TD></TR></TABLE>
Reminds me of Dave's R....oooook, maybe not quite. I have also been within a few feet of the car above. My fondest memory is the smell it leaves when you're behind it when stomped on!
Reminds me of Dave's R....oooook, maybe not quite.
I have also been within a few feet of the car above. My fondest memory is the smell it leaves when you're behind it when stomped on!
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From: Mustafar
Re: OT: Ferrari F40 – One hour Ride!!! (PatrickGSR94)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by PatrickGSR94 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">It also has 3 tailpipes in the center, anyone want to guess why? </TD></TR></TABLE>
I do - do I get a prize?
</TD></TR></TABLE>I do - do I get a prize?
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Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Trumbull, CT, USA
Re: OT: Ferrari F40 – One hour Ride!!! (Padawan)
..."Two Japanese water-cooled IHI RHB 53 LW Turbochargers (again, one system per bank) provide the turbocharging. The four-into-one exhause manifolds from each cylinder bank direct exhaust gases to the two turbines, which turn coaxially with centrifugal compressors. The compressed air is sent through two German Behr air-to-air heat exchangers, or intercoolers, in order that it's temperature is lowered before it reaches the inlet plenum chambers. Each of the two turbocharging systems supplies the opposite bank of cylinders; the left-hand compressor therefore, supplies the right-hand bank of cylinders, and vice versa. Lubrication and cooling for the turbochargers is incorporated into the engines main systems: the shaft linking the compressor and turbine is lubricated by engine iol under pressure, while the turbocharger bearing housing is cooled by the engine coolant. A single wastegate opens to bypass exhaust gases away from the turbines when boost pressure reaches 1.1bar, directing the excess instead through the central pipe of the three exhausts which emerge from the tail of the car"...
That's the best answer I could find.
That's the best answer I could find.
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From: too close to Oklahoma
Re: OT: Ferrari F40 – One hour Ride!!! (acydphryck)
It's RWD. Don't really need AWD on a car like that, as it only adds weight.
The F40 is a breathtaking car. Must have been one hell of a fun hour.
The F40 is a breathtaking car. Must have been one hell of a fun hour.
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From: not, tiiight
Re: OT: Ferrari F40 – One hour Ride!!! (acydphryck)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by acydphryck »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">with that kind of hp rating...was this an AWD ferrari??? considering it's a TT, i'd expect at least that... </TD></TR></TABLE>
478 bhp at 7000 rpm (= 162.8 HP/litre)
</TD></TR></TABLE>478 bhp at 7000 rpm (= 162.8 HP/litre)
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From: Southern California
Re: OT: Ferrari F40 – One hour Ride!!!
for those of you who havent seen an f40 in action, heres a link:
http://www.racingflix.com/getvideo.asp?v=89&p=8
gotta sign in to view.
http://www.racingflix.com/getvideo.asp?v=89&p=8
gotta sign in to view.
Thread Starter
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From: Milwaukee, WI, USA
Re: (Mires)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Mires »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Just out of curiosity, what does your friend do?</TD></TR></TABLE>
He started/owns a copy machine business. And this is actually his lesser expensive Ferrari's. He has three others. One's a 1957 open wheel Ferrari that's worth about 3 million. And he has a mint 1967 coupe(well over one million) and I think something like a 328 GTS. Years ago he would roll through the street races with any one of those vehicles.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by acydphryck »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">with that kind of hp rating...was this an AWD ferrari??? considering it's a TT, i'd expect at least that... </TD></TR></TABLE>
Nope, rear wheel drive. The car can't put a majority of the power down until it's going well over 100 mph.
He started/owns a copy machine business. And this is actually his lesser expensive Ferrari's. He has three others. One's a 1957 open wheel Ferrari that's worth about 3 million. And he has a mint 1967 coupe(well over one million) and I think something like a 328 GTS. Years ago he would roll through the street races with any one of those vehicles.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by acydphryck »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">with that kind of hp rating...was this an AWD ferrari??? considering it's a TT, i'd expect at least that...
</TD></TR></TABLE>Nope, rear wheel drive. The car can't put a majority of the power down until it's going well over 100 mph.