He's building a replica of a Ferrari F40 for €90,000 and understands why the real one is worth €3 million

The Ferrari F40 has become a collector's item. With only 1,311 units produced between 1987 and 1992, the last Ferrari Approved by Enzo Ferrari, it now sells for around 3 to 4 million euros. That price tag means most enthusiasts are limited to admiring it from behind a barrier or on a smartphone screen.

But in the United Kingdom, an enthusiast named Raph decided to get around the problem. His goal wasn’t to create a perfect replica intended to deceive collectors (which is probably for the best to avoid issues with the brand), but to build his own vision of the F40. A car inspired by the Italian legend, built in his garage for about €90,000.

An F40 built in a garage

The project is based on a simple principle: to recapture the feel of an F40 without spending several million euros. To achieve this, Raph used a Ferrari chassis (without specifying which one), a body inspired by Ferrari, and a powertrain that’s quite different from Maranello’s, yet still similar. Gone is the 2.9-liter twin-turbo V8. Hidden beneath the bodywork is a naturally aspirated 4.7-liter Maserati V8 mated to an Audi 01E transmission. This combination may seem surprising, but it allows this replica to deliver nearly 400 ch to the rear wheels (the Ferrari F40 produces 478 ch).

The car is lightweight. According to Ralph, it weighs about 1,070 kg, which translates to a very impressive power-to-weight ratio. By comparison, the Ferrari F40 weighs 1,155 kg. According to its creator, the car «pulls really hard,» and the front end even seems to want to lift off the ground when the accelerator is pressed hard. «Now I understand why they put a front wing on it.»

The First Test Run

After several years of work, the car finally covered its first few kilometers on public roads. As is often the case with this type of DIY project, not everything went perfectly.

The first few kilometers are mainly to check that no parts come loose and that the main components are working properly. A few electrical issues quickly arise, particularly with the taillights and turn signals, which were ultimately fixed by simply reconnecting a loose wire. The gearshift also needs some adjustments. The Audi 01E transmission used in the project sometimes lacks precision, particularly when hot. Shifting into reverse proves tricky, and some gears still require fine-tuning. But the most important thing is this: the car runs, accelerates strongly, and delivers a driving experience that already seems to have won over its owner.

Hotter than the real F40

One of the (unpleasant) surprises during the first test drive was the heat inside the car. Without air conditioning and with virtually no insulation, the cabin quickly becomes stifling. Even with an outside temperature of around 18 degrees, the occupants report significant heat radiating from the engine and transmission. Opening the windows isn’t enough to ventilate the cabin. Added to this are limited rear visibility and the very unusual driving position.

Less expensive to maintain

One of the most interesting aspects of the project obviously concerns maintenance costs. When problems arise, Raph can replace certain parts for a few hundred euros. He specifically mentions his Audi transmission, which he bought used for about 350 euros to try to fix some shifting issues. A pittance when compared to the price of parts for a genuine Ferrari F40.

This approach perfectly encapsulates the project’s philosophy: to create a car capable of delivering a driving experience similar to that of an F40 without the financial burden of a supercar costing several million euros. The project isn’t quite finished yet, though. A new front spoiler still needs to be installed, some transmission adjustments remain to be finalized, and several improvements are already planned.

But this garage-built F40 is now on the road, and its creator plans to enjoy it all summer long. As for whether it really comes close to the real thing, everyone will have their own opinion. But few people can boast of having built their own Ferrari F40 in their garage for less than €100,000.