Image Credit: Lewis Hamilton / Instagram.Lewis Hamilton has never hidden his affection for the Ferrari F40. Long before joining Ferrari in Formula 1, the seven-time world champion had already described the car as one of his all-time favorites.That makes his latest addition especially fitting, as Hamilton now owns an F40 of his own, although this particular example did not come from a pristine collection or high-profile auction.In a new post on Instagram, Hamilton revealed that he found the Ferrari after it had been sitting in a garage for over 30 years, covered in dust. He says the car was then sent to Maranello, where Ferrari engineers and mechanics spent weeks bringing it back to life.AdvertisementAdvertisementHamilton called the F40 his childhood dream car and said owning one now feels like a dream come true. Judging by the way he ended the post with "Stay tuned," there appears to be more of the story still to come.Hamilton Has Wanted An F40 For YearsHamilton's connection to the F40 predates his current role with Ferrari. He said he dreamed of owning one as a child and made sure an F40 was present when he arrived at Maranello for his first official day with the team last year.That car was not his personal F40, but the choice made his preference obvious. The model has remained one of the most recognizable Ferrari supercars ever built, and Hamilton has repeatedly singled it out as something special.Rather than simply adding another exotic to a collection, Hamilton has acquired the specific Ferrari he says he has wanted for as long as he can remember.The Ferrari Had Been Sitting For Over 30 YearsHamilton has not yet explained exactly where he found the car or how the deal came together. What he did confirm is that the F40 had been sitting in a garage for more than three decades before he acquired it.AdvertisementAdvertisementThat sort of storage raises plenty of questions about mechanical condition, especially on a car as specialized as an F40. Hamilton's photos and comments suggest Ferrari itself became deeply involved once the car was recovered.He says the F40 was taken to Maranello, where the factory's engineers and mechanics worked on it for several weeks. Hamilton thanked everyone involved in the process and described the work as bringing the car back to life.No detailed restoration list has been released yet, so it is unclear how much of the Ferrari required rebuilding, servicing, or replacement. Hamilton also hasn't said whether the car was completely restored cosmetically or primarily recommissioned mechanically.Ferrari's F40 Is A Landmark SupercarThe F40 debuted in 1987 and quickly became one of Ferrari's defining road cars. Its twin-turbocharged V8, lightweight construction, minimal interior, and enormous rear wing gave it a reputation that has only grown over the decades.AdvertisementAdvertisementIt is also historically significant as the final production Ferrari approved during Enzo Ferrari's lifetime. The model became closely associated with the raw, uncompromising side of the brand at a time when supercars were beginning to push beyond the 200-mph mark.That reputation helps explain why neglected or long-stored examples attract so much attention. Finding one that has apparently remained out of circulation for roughly 30 years is notable enough before Hamilton's name is attached to it.Hamilton Says There Is More To ComeHamilton has already driven other F40s publicly, including one used during a recent appearance in Japan. Owning his own example now gives him a very different connection to the car.For the moment, several important details are unknown, including the F40's production year, mileage, previous ownership, and exact condition before Ferrari began work. Hamilton appears ready to reveal more of that story later rather than unloading every detail at once.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe important thing is that a long-dormant F40 is back in circulation after decades in storage. Its new owner also happens to be one of the most successful Formula 1 drivers in history and a current Ferrari driver, which makes the pairing feel unusually appropriate.If you want more stories like this, follow Guessing Headlights on Yahoo so you don't miss what's coming next.
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