F-40 Bodywork: How much of it is fibre-glass?

Discussion in '288GTO/F40/F50/Enzo/LaFerrari/F80' started by 512Tea Are, Jan 14, 2008.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

  1. 512Tea Are

    512Tea Are F1 Rookie

    Apr 22, 2004
    2,742
    Dear Comrades,

    Does anyone know what proportion of the F-40 is fibre-glass and which parts are created from this material? Also, is Kevlar heavier or lighter than fibre-glass?

    With kind regards,

    512 Tea Are
     
  2. SSNISTR

    SSNISTR F1 Veteran

    Feb 13, 2004
    8,046
    SFL
    None is fiberglass. It is made from a carbon kevlar composite. Very light, yet very strong.
     
  3. frefan

    frefan F1 Veteran

    Apr 21, 2004
    7,370
    Graham, If you find any fiberglass on your F40, I advise you to immediately check that is has all its matching VIN plates. I would also check the owners manual to be sure its not an F40 LM Replica.
     
  4. 512Tea Are

    512Tea Are F1 Rookie

    Apr 22, 2004
    2,742
    Dear Comrade frefan,

    I do believe that parts of it are indeed made from fibreglass. I was informed of this by a gentleman that has an F-40 that won the Ferrari Owner Club UK Concours. He also runs a bodyshop so is a person that one can only presume would be knowledgeable. I must speak to him again and establish the true facts of the matter.

    With kind regards,

    512 Tea Are
     
  5. subirg

    subirg F1 Rookie

    Dec 19, 2003
    4,352
    Cheshire
    Graham

    I thought your car had been verified by the Classiche programme people? Haven't they told you what the car is made of?

    All the best
    S.
     
  6. SSNISTR

    SSNISTR F1 Veteran

    Feb 13, 2004
    8,046
    SFL
    Just because you win a concours doesn't mean you know anything about cars. Case in point.
     
  7. Rock

    Rock Formula 3

    Nov 9, 2003
    1,652
    Toronto, Canada
    Full Name:
    Rocco
    ferrari used fiberglass in the lower rocker panels, only visible when the car is disassembled.
     
  8. 512Tea Are

    512Tea Are F1 Rookie

    Apr 22, 2004
    2,742
    Dear Comrade Rock,

    Thank you for confirming what I had believed to be the case that there is indeed fibreglass components within the bodywork of the Ferrari F-40. It would seem that I, who know little, know a little more than some of those whom purport omnisciency, but in reality will now know that what they know, is now known to the world as magnificently exiguous.

    Thank you very much indeed for your most kind support in this matter which has been very much appreciated indeed. However, and confidentially, where are these lower rocker panels to which you allude, please?

    With kind regards,

    512 Tea Are
     
  9. DM18

    DM18 F1 Rookie

    Apr 29, 2005
    4,725
    Hong Kong
    Have you lifted the front of rear section of the F40? Hardly very light. Actually bloody heavy
     
  10. TexasMike

    TexasMike F1 World Champ

    Feb 17, 2005
    10,482
    Austin, Texas
    Full Name:
    Michael C
    +1
    The rear section is like a guillotine!
     
  11. SSNISTR

    SSNISTR F1 Veteran

    Feb 13, 2004
    8,046
    SFL
    Well, if that was metal it would be even heavier....
     
  12. SSNISTR

    SSNISTR F1 Veteran

    Feb 13, 2004
    8,046
    SFL
    Doubtful. Some of the areas that are more hidden then others might be less finished and look like fiberglass maybe. I have never heard that this was used anywhere before. Where is your proof?

    Even IF it was used, the quanity would be so tiny it wouldn't really be worth considering.

    Everywhere I look it says carbon kevlar composite.
     
  13. fredhart

    fredhart Karting

    Mar 22, 2006
    181
  14. DM18

    DM18 F1 Rookie

    Apr 29, 2005
    4,725
    Hong Kong
    Thanks for that. I never thought of that... Under your line of thinking the possibilities are endless. You wrote "It is made from a carbon kevlar composite. Very light, yet very strong" It is not light let alone very light. Body panels on my CGT were very light.
     
  15. 512Tea Are

    512Tea Are F1 Rookie

    Apr 22, 2004
    2,742
    Dear Comrade DM18,

    I am in full agreement with you here. The rear portion of the Ferrari F-40 that requires lifting to expose the engine is so inordinately heavy that I find that it requires two people to position it - one person to lift it, and another to erect the sort of lollipop stick that is constructed from tubing that is in two parts and requires assembling prior to wriggling into place. I've never liked it. The idea is poor and I will not rely on it at all, but instead place a broom handle in position as a secondary brace. All this controversy regarding lightness is not borne out in reality.

    And I am yet again delighted to learn that others have stated that parts of the F-40 are fibre-glass and just as I had originally thought may be the case.

    With kind regards,

    512 Tea Are
     
  16. SSNISTR

    SSNISTR F1 Veteran

    Feb 13, 2004
    8,046
    SFL
    Well look at the size of the engine cover, unless it was paper it's not gonna be light now is it? Maybe you need to hit the gym more!
     
  17. SSNISTR

    SSNISTR F1 Veteran

    Feb 13, 2004
    8,046
    SFL
  18. TexasMike

    TexasMike F1 World Champ

    Feb 17, 2005
    10,482
    Austin, Texas
    Full Name:
    Michael C
    Have you ever lifted the rear section of an F40? I'm guessing no...
     
  19. rmk

    rmk Formula 3

    Mar 24, 2002
    2,409
    LOL
     
  20. RTB

    RTB Formula 3

    Sep 5, 2006
    1,071
    UK
    And if they were on the GTO Evoluzione they would be much much lighter.................
     
  21. RTB

    RTB Formula 3

    Sep 5, 2006
    1,071
    UK
    #21 RTB, Jan 16, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  22. SSNISTR

    SSNISTR F1 Veteran

    Feb 13, 2004
    8,046
    SFL
    And your point is? It's a large part, no matter what it is made of common sense tells you it's gonna be heavy. I saw a guy at a show who couldn't have been more then 140 pounds lift his prety easily. If he can, anybody can....
     
  23. Rock

    Rock Formula 3

    Nov 9, 2003
    1,652
    Toronto, Canada
    Full Name:
    Rocco
    Hello Ryan, I can only speak for usa spec f40's. They use fiberlass in the lower rockers and some of the air ducts. The roof may be glass also? Has anyone removed the headliner?
     
  24. SSNISTR

    SSNISTR F1 Veteran

    Feb 13, 2004
    8,046
    SFL
    The roof is carbon kevlar composite. I have seen the roof without the headliner....
     
  25. 512Tea Are

    512Tea Are F1 Rookie

    Apr 22, 2004
    2,742
    Dear Comrades,

    It would appear that the crown of omniscience held so sagaciously and graciously for so many years long standing by the illustrious Comrade Joe Sackey has now been toppled by the omnipotent 'Carsinsx.' However, it is shortly to be exported to London and where it will be conveyed by a fleet of armoured vehicles to 'Garrards' the Queen of England's jewellers. It will then be adjusted by a substantial degree thus that the circumference will be made much larger and from whence it will then return to the United States of America for the coronation of 'Carsinsx.'

    With kind regards,

    512 Tea Are
     

Share This Page