Ferrari F40s Are Red, But This One Is Blue – So If You Could Pull The Trigger, Would You?

We’ll never know whether Henry Ford ever really uttered the words attributed to him, but between 1913 and 1926 you really could have your Model T in ‘any color you like as long as it’s black.’

Black paint dried quickly so it speeded up Ford’s production process, but before and after those dates you could order a Model T in various other far less sombre hues, including red and light blue.

Ferraris have always been available in all kinds of colors, too. Yet for many years red remained by far the most popular choice for new (and used) examples. And for good reason: it’s the traditional color of the company’s racing cars, and it’s also a safe bet for those concerned about resale values.

But not everyone wants a red Ferrari. This is UK-based YouTuber and photographer Sam Moores’ 1989 Ferrari F40, which is currently up for auction with Bonhams’ The Market. You might have seen it doing the rounds on social media over the last couple of years. And, as you can see, it’s blue.

Though some people claim Ferrari built a few F40s in colors beside red, and you do see the odd yellow or white car, the official story is that all F40s left the factory painted in Rosso Corsa. So how come this one ended up blue?

Almost 20 years ago it was sent to Japan where it was converted to LM spec and painted white by Liberty Walk, who can’t bear to see a car left in standard spec. When it returned to the UK it was offered for sale by Joe Macari Performance Cars, which worked out a deal with Moores to have the car rebuilt to factory specification, but painted blue rather than returned to its original red.

The work was carried out by Carrozzeria Zanasi in Maranello, close to Ferrari’s factory. According to Bonhams, Zanasi first began working with Ferrari in 1964, and is currently involved in the company’s Classiche restoration program, as well as being responsible for painting its special cars, like the F12 TdF and LaFerrari.

The car is claimed to be in excellent condition, and its 478 hp 2.9-liter twin-turbo V8 was most recently serviced in June this year at 25,975 km (16,140 miles). To our eyes it looks stunning, and if you’re thinking you have seen this shade of blue before, you’re right: it’s actually based on Porsche’s Aqua Blue metallic.

We can imagine a few Ferrari fans wincing when they read that. But if you’ve been saving up your whole life just waiting for a blue F40 to hit the market, the auction for this one ends on Monday, 19 July. Although it’s a minor celebrity in its own right, it’s not in its original form, which should mean it makes less than an unmolested car, but don’t expect any change from $1-1.3m. So what’s it to be? Red or blue?