At just 24 years of age, Sophie Saint has embarked on a project that would make many experienced professionals hesitate: the restoration of a Ferrari F40. The young American, based in Los Angeles, is already well known on social networks, where she shares her projects restoring vintage vehicles with over 237,000 followers on Instagram. But tackling one of Ferrari is a whole new challenge.
For the F40 is a car like no other. The last Ferrari approved by Enzo Ferrari himself before his death, over the decades it has become a veritable automotive myth, admired by generations of enthusiasts. And Sophie Saint is well aware of this.
An impressive Ferrari F40
Interviewed by Supercar Blondie, the young restorer explains that this project is different from all the others. Not because the mechanics are particularly complex, but because the responsibility is immense. «The biggest difference with this project is the weight of emotional responsibility to get it right,» she confides. «Countless people admire this car and I don't want to disappoint anyone.»
The Ferrari F40 she is restoring was acquired from a private showroom in Los Angeles. For several months, Sophie Saint has been working on restoring the car to its original condition, an exercise that requires patience and rigor. Finding the right parts is one of the main difficulties encountered. For such an exclusive model, it's not enough to simply place an order. You have to rely on a network of specialists in the Ferrari world, and sometimes have to wait a long time to obtain components that meet the original specifications.
From Ferrari mythology to workshop reality
Like many enthusiasts, Sophie Saint has long regarded the Ferrari F40 as an almost unreal car. «Before working on the F40, I saw it as most people do: almost mythologically,» she explains. «It's a poster car, a true symbol of Ferrari history.»
But dismantling, inspecting and restoring the supercar allowed her to discover another facet of the Italian legend. According to her, every part of the car was designed with a specific purpose in mind. Nothing is there for decoration or appearance. Everything is dictated by performance and function. It's a philosophy she particularly admires, and one that helps to strengthen her attachment to the model. Despite the months she has spent at its side, she says she is still impressed every time she sees it in her workshop.
A vocation born of Ghostbusters
Sophie Saint's love affair with cars doesn't begin at Ferrari. As a teenager, she and her father helped transform an old school bus into a food truck. But the real turning point came when she moved to Los Angeles. One day, she discovered a garage specializing in famous Hollywood vehicles. Inside was a 1959 Cadillac Ecto-1, used in the Ghostbusters saga.
«When I saw this car, I realized it wasn't just a car, it was a character,» she says. Observing visitors' reactions to this iconic vehicle made her realize the emotional power of the automobile. Restoring a car isn't just about repairing a mechanic; it's also about rekindling memories, emotions and sometimes even part of the personal history of its owners.
«People are looking for the mechanic».»
In a world still largely dominated by men, Sophie Saint admits that she has sometimes raised a few questions. «Sometimes someone comes into my studio and tries to place me. They ask: «Does she work here? Is there a mechanic around?» she recounts with amusement. Even so, she feels she has been relatively spared prejudice. She attributes this in particular to the presence of mentors who enabled her to learn by making mistakes and gradually developing her skills.
Her background is equally atypical. Before devoting herself fully to car restoration, she studied architecture, specializing in renovation and heritage preservation. Today, this training influences her approach to every project.
In her opinion, the main obstacle for women is not lack of interest or fear of taking the plunge, but rather the lack of visibility of these professions among the female public. This is precisely one of the objectives she pursues through her social networks: to show that these professions are open to all.
Once the restoration is complete, the Ferrari F40 should not simply return to a private garage. Sophie Saint reports that several projects are already in the pipeline, including a possible presentation at the prestigious Ferrari Cavallino Classic event. Other appearances at international private events are also envisaged.
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