Beauty is often said to lie in the eye of the beholder, but at the pinnacle of any craft—whether architecture, painting, sculpture, or motoring—there is a rare consensus. A group of enthusiasts might endlessly debate the world’s most beautiful cars, yet only a few names can silence the room. Few would challenge the ethereal form of a Jaguar D-type, the allure of a Lamborghini Miura, the striking elegance of a Bugatti Type 57 Atlantic, or the engineering perfection of the Ferrari F40. Launched in 1987 to celebrate Ferrari’s 40th anniversary, the F40 was the last car approved by Enzo Ferrari himself, making it a technological marvel and a living legend created without compromise: it had to be the fastest road car ever produced. With the support of leading Ferrari experts, I present a commemorative book that delves into the heart of this iconic machine like never before.
As an aerospace engineer at the University of Pisa and Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies, I have always been fascinated by engineering. The Ferrari F40 represents a peak in automotive engineering, representing the concept of speed without compromise. Its philosophy is closer to a race car than a road car. Engineers weren’t concerned about comfort or usability; the interiors were the most spartan ever since the racing beauties of the 60s, and for an engineer, this was something to revere. My passion led me to a profound technical study of its engine—something only a few have done in this level of detail. What began as a personal project soon grew into something more, thanks to the invaluable support of DK Engineering, the UK’s premier Ferrari restoration specialists, and Joe Macari Performance Cars in London.
What distinguishes this book from other F40 tributes is its rich collection of exclusive content and depth of explanations. It includes rare, unpublished interviews from Pininfarina’s archives, offering new insights and untold stories. Additionally, thanks to my collaboration with DK Engineering and Joe Macari, the book features stunning images of F40 restoration projects, revealing details not found in typical sources.
I approached the car from an engineering perspective, creating a book unique in its technical depth. While there are chapters focused on personal experiences and elegant descriptions, others dive deep into the engineering behind the F40, explaining the design and mechanical choices that made it a masterpiece. There’s also a section dedicated to the driving experience, capturing every nuance of what it feels like to stand before and drive this iconic machine. Furthermore, the book includes maintenance tips for the fortunate few who own an F40 and those interested in the engineering principles that can apply to other cars.
The creation of this book would not have been possible without the invaluable support of industry giants. DK Engineering, renowned as the world’s premier Ferrari restorers, granted me unparalleled access to their remarkable collection of F40 models, along with their technical expertise. Likewise, Joe Macari, one of London’s top Ferrari dealers, whose showroom houses over €200 million of vehicles, contributed exclusive images enriching the book. Their contributions were essential in making this project unique and authoritative.
This book is more than just a collection of the finest images and technical facts about the F40. Its more profound philosophy is to convey the passion behind classic cars. We see these vehicles as true works of art comparable to the finest paintings or sculptures. As such, the book is not only aimed at classic car enthusiasts but also at anyone who wants to appreciate the beauty and significance of these machines. Just as anyone can visit the Louvre to admire the Mona Lisa, this book serves as a museum for the F40—a place where anyone, regardless of wealth or background, can discover its artistry.
Alessio Zanei
Link to the book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DM894JWG
Link to DK Engineering site: https://www.dkeng.co.uk
Link to Joe Macari site: https://www.joemacari.com
