- One-off SC40 channels the F40’s spirit through Ferrari’s Special Projects Programme.
- Based on the 296 GTB, it features bespoke styling and carbon-kevlar construction.
- It skips the F40’s V8 and manual gearbox, keeping a hybrid V6 plug-in powertrain setup.
Owning any Ferrari grants a certain level of prestige, but commissioning Maranello to build a one-off creation puts you in another category entirely.
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One particularly “exclusive” client, as the company describes them, exercised their influence to bring a dream to life, a contemporary supercar inspired by one of the most revered Prancing Horses ever built, the legendary F40.
The result is the SC40, a one-off built through Ferrari’s Special Projects Programme. Based on the 296 GTB Berlinetta (the coupe, in regular production), it receives a fully bespoke exterior and tailored interior details. The Ferrari Styling Centre, led by Flavio Manzoni, oversaw the design.
How It Channels the F40
At first glance, the SC40 shares a similar design language with recent creations like the new 849 Testarossa and the F80, blending crisp geometric lines with subtle curvature.
The front is defined by retro-inspired headlights linked to the bumper intakes that wrap around its pointed nose. Gone are the old-school pop-up units, replaced by slim daytime running lights that satisfy today’s safety standards without spoiling the car’s throwback intent.
Along the sides, the SC40 reimagines the F40’s NACA air ducts with carbon fiber garnish and a strong horizontal line on the base of the rear clamshell. The F40’s iconic fixed rear wing makes a return, albeit in slightly more compact form. The Lexan louvres on the engine cover, nestled between vented rear fenders, add another nod to its forebear.
At the rear, the taillights come from the 296 GTB, though one could argue that four round lamps would have better suited its nostalgic proportions. The owner chose a bespoke Bianco SC40 finish instead of traditional red, complemented by two-tone five-spoke alloys and bright yellow Ferrari crests for contrast.
The interior looks familiar until you notice the special trim. The foot wells, center console, dashboard inserts, paddles, steering wheel, and rear part of the cabin are made of carbon-kevlar, which is a first for a modern-day Ferrari. The SC40-branded bucket seats are upholstered in red Jacquard technical fabric, combined with Charcoal Alcantara all around the cabin.
The Notable Omission
Unfortunately, the Prancing Horse doesn’t have a V8 engine and a gated manual gearbox like the F40. Instead, it carries over the plug-in hybrid setup of the 296 GTB, pairing a twin-turbo 2.9-liter V6 with a single electric motor for a combined 819 hp (611 kW / 830 PS).
Ferrari did, however, compensate with a generous use of carbon-kevlar beneath the rear clamshell, drawing more attention to the craftsmanship than the powertrain itself.
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The F40 was launched in 1987 and was the last car personally approved by Enzo Ferrari. This poster wall material of a vehicle served as a successor to the 288 GTO and gave way to the F50, Enzo, La Ferrari, and F80 flagships.
In recent years, there have been rumors about a possible revival, although those were likely sparked by the SC40 one-off seen here that was under development.
Ferrari hasn’t disclosed what this one-off cost, but it’s safe to assume the figure comfortably sits in the stratosphere. The car itself has likely joined its owner’s collection, no doubt housed in a carefully climate-controlled garage, while the full-scale styling buck used to shape its body is now on display at the Ferrari Museum in Maranello.