This Ferrari F40 available for sale has been transformed into a race car by a gaming icon.

      Broad Arrow Auctions

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      Transforming a road car into a competition racer isn't unusual. These alterations have happened before and will likely continue in the future. However, a road-level Ferrari F40 that has genuinely earned its credentials in racing is another matter entirely, and a rare model with a valuation in the seven figures was up for auction today.

      A 1989 Ferrari F40 “Competizione,” boasting a well-documented ownership history, legitimate racing experience, and a collection of spare parts that could form another race car, was presented for sale at Broad Arrow Auctions. Part of Lot 212 in the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este Auction, this modified F40 was projected to sell for between $2.6 million and $3.1 million by the end of the bidding.

      Chassis number 80369 started as a regular left-hand drive, European-spec F40 when it was purchased new as a gift from a father to his son. The car, still in its street configuration, changed hands five years later to video game pioneer Ian Hetherington. The late Hetherington was at the helm of British gaming companies Psygnosis and Evolution Studios, known for popular PlayStation racing titles like Wipeout, Destruction Derby, and MotorStorm. It’s no surprise then that he had a passion for real-life racing, frequently participating in club events.

      Hetherington contemplated selling the Ferrari just three years after acquiring it but ultimately decided against it, possibly following a moment of realization. He commissioned Martin Shaw of Specialised Cars of Manchester to convert the F40 into a factory Le Mans racer from the ’90s.

      As for performance enhancements, the stock F40’s 2.9-liter V8 received new turbochargers, a free-flow exhaust system, customized intercoolers, an upgraded suspension, improved brakes, and a competition fuel system. The car now produces 648 horsepower and 563 lb-ft of torque. To complete its look as a factory Ferrari race car, modifications included fixed headlights, larger brake cooling ducts, a prominent front splitter, and a distinctive rear wing.

      The conversion process took nearly two years, and by February 1999, Hetherington sold the now track-equipped F40 to Shaw. Shortly after, Shaw entered the F40 into the 2000 British GT Championship. The freshly minted #16 race car was driven by Stuart Bowler, Ian Flux, and, notably, Hetherington himself.

      The F40 raced against newer models in the GT class. While it didn’t immediately achieve podium finishes, it still showcased impressive speed. As more laps were completed, the homemade Competizione began posting fast times. Unfortunately, issues like DNFs and other reliability problems hindered Shaw’s SCS Motorsport team from fully utilizing the F40's performance capabilities.

      Per the auction listing, the F40 had no significant accidents throughout its racing history. It’s also worth noting that only 27 F40 road cars are known to have been converted into competition racers by private owners. The sale includes a comprehensive parts package, featuring a front nose, rear deck, a spare engine block, three sets of wheels, and various components for building a duplicate. All that’s needed is to find another F40 chassis, if you're interested.