This Was The World's Fastest Car Over The Quarter Mile In The '80s
The 1980s was a pivotal point in automotive history. The 80s witnessed an intense battle for supremacy among manufacturers, who pushed the limits of engineering, and built some of the fastest machines over the quarter mile in the world. The era saw advancements in turbocharging technology, and the use of lightweight materials became more common. As a result, supercars of the time quickly began shattering records that were earlier considered impossible.
While the battle for top speed and 0-60 mph acceleration raged on, manufacturers also worked on raw acceleration, traction, and power delivery. As a result, these cars were blindingly fast when running the standing quarter mile. Some used brute force with high horsepower, some employed clever advanced technologies like active suspension and all-wheel-drive, while others benefited from their lightweight construction.
However, one car emerged as the champion of the quarter mile, which set records that are impressive even by today's standards. So, what was the fastest production car over the quarter mile in the 80s? Let's take a closer look.
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The 1987 Ferrari F40 Ran The 1/4 Mile In Under 12 Seconds
1992 Ferrari F40 US Spec Front Three Quarter
Ferrari F40 Performance Specs
0-60 MPH | 3.8 seconds |
0-100 MPH | 7.6 seconds |
0-140 MPH | 14 seconds |
1/4 Mile | 11.9 seconds at 125 MPH |
Top Speed | 201 MPH |
(Source: Ferrari, Mecum)
Recording a time of 11.9 seconds at 125 mph, the Ferrari F40 is the fastest car over the standard quarter mile in the 80s. After the F40 debuted in 1987, various outlets recorded impressive performance times for the Italian supercar, numbers that were never seen before. The F40 recorded the fastest 0-60 mph time of 3.8 seconds, a 0-100 mph time of 7.6 seconds, and a 0-140 mph time of 14 seconds in the late 1980s. With a top speed of 201 mph, the Ferrari F40 was also the fastest car ever made in its era.
Prancing Horse Ferrari 458
Ferrari
When it debuted, the F40 redefined the modern supercar concept. The lightweight supercar was conceived in 1986 to help celebrate Ferrari’s upcoming 40th anniversary. It would go on to be the final Ferrari supercar developed under Enzo Ferrari, who passed away on 14 August 1988.
While the exterior of the Ferrari F40 was optimized for aerodynamics, like the air ducts at the front and the iconic fixed rear wing, the interior was spartan. The stripped-down interior featured a racecar-inspired cabin with minimal luxuries – no carpets, door handles, or sound insulation, all to help save every ounce of weight wherever possible.
Initially, the F40 was projected for a production of 400 units. However, demand forced Ferrari to extend the production of the supercar to 1,315 units, all built between 1987 and 1992.
Ferrari F40 Historic Highlights
- Last Ferrari Supercar built under Enzo Ferrari
- Fastest car in the world in the 80s with a 201 mph top speed
- Ran the standing quarter mile in 11.9 seconds at 125 mph
- 400 unit production run, extended to 1,315 units by 1992
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In The 80s, The Ferrari F40 Was The World's Fastest Car
1992 Ferrari F40 US Spec Open Engine Cover
Engine Specs
Displacement | 2.9-Liter |
Configuration | V8 (Tipo F120A) |
Induction | Twin-Turbocharged |
Power | 477 HP at 7,000 RPM |
Torque | 426 LB-FT at 4,000 RPM |
Transmission | 5-Speed Manual |
Drive | Mid-Engine / Rear-Wheel Drive |
Weight | 2,765 lbs |
Fuel Type | Gasoline |
(Source: Ferrari, Mecum)
Powering the iconic F40 was the legendary 2.9-liter, twin-turbo Tipo F120A V8 engine. Ferrari tuned the engine to 471 hp, but for the US market, the engine produced 477 hp at a visceral 7,000 rpm! The peak torque output of 426 lb-ft was achieved at 4,000 rpm. The engine is mated to a 5-speed manual transmission with a gated shifter that allows for seamless shifts with impressive tactile feedback.
The F40's twin-turbocharged V-8 featured intercoolers, a quad-cam design, and port-injections. It also used an engine management system by Weber-Marelli. The mid-engined, rear-wheel-drive layout makes driving the F40 the purest driving experience. However, the lack of driver's aides makes it also an extremely difficult car to drive. The raw, unforgiving, and brutal nature is rewarding for skilled drivers, but unforgiving for mistakes. Due to its lightweight construction, the F40 only weighs 2,765 lbs, making it nimble and fast.
Ferrari employed independent double wishbones with coil springs and anti-roll bars for the F40's suspension set up. Braking duties were assigned to large Brembo ventilated discs, while Pirelli developed a special compound and tire design exclusively for the F40.
For the F40, Ferrari built a carbon-fiber and Kevlar-reinforced steel spaceframe chassis, materials that were rare to find in an automobile at the time. Only the Ferrari 288 GTO before, had employed this lightweight construction in the past. Italian design house, Scaglietti was tasked to design the body, which also used composite materials for the panels.
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The Ferrari F40 Is Worth $2.4 Million Today
Via: Mecum Auctions
Ferrari F40 Current Values
Condition | Value |
Concours Condition | $3,450,000 |
Excellent Condition | $3,100,000 |
Good Condition | $2,400,000 |
Fair Condition | $1,600,000 |
(Source: Hagerty)
The Ferrari F40 witnessed a six-year production run between 1987 and 1992. Initially, Ferrari hoped to build just 400 examples. However, high demand forced production to increase to 1,311 units over six years. Among these, just 213 examples came to the US.
Today, regardless of model year, the Ferrari F40 is one of the most valuable cars on the planet. According to Hagerty's valuation tool, a fair condition F40 is worth an eye-watering $1,600,000. But on average, they sell for $2,400,000 in good condition. Well-maintained low-mileage examples of the Ferrari F40, however, are worth $3,100,000 and can go up to $3,450,000 if in pristine, Concours-worthy condition.
Over the last five years, Classic.com claims used examples of the Ferrari F40 sell for an average of $2.4 million, matching Hagerty's valuation. The lowest recorded sale for an F40 since 2020 is $1.1 million, while the highest recorded sale is $3.9 million, sold at auction in 2022.
Porsche 959 Was Second Fastest Over The Quarter Mile
Via: Porsche
Engine Specs
Displacement | 2.85-Liter |
Configuration | Flat-6 (Type 965) |
Induction | Twin-Turbocharged |
Power | 444 HP at 6,500 RPM |
Torque | 369 LB-FT at 4,500 RPM |
Transmission | 6-Speed Manual |
Drive | Rear-Engine / All-Wheel Drive |
0-60 MPH | 3.6 Seconds |
0-100 MPH | 7.9 Seconds |
1/4 Mile | 12 Seconds |
Top Speed | 197 MPH |
(Source: Porsche, Mecum)
In the late 80s and early 90s, the F40 had the Porsche 969, the Lamborghini Diablo, and the McLaren F1 for the company. Recording a time of 12 seconds, the Porsche 959 was only the second-fastest car over the quarter mile after the F40.
The F40 was more powerful and much lighter than the twin-turbo 2.8-liter flat-6 powered Porsche 959. However, the 959 was one of the most advanced machines of its time. The Porsche offered active suspension, all-wheel-drive along with various driver aids.
The F40 was lighter, quicker to accelerate, and had a higher top speed. The Porsche 959 used all-wheel-drive which allowed for better traction and stability, especially in wet conditions. Even the interior of the 959 offered air-conditioning and leather seats.
With only 292 units of the 959s ever produced for the world, it is much rarer compared to the F40. However, the Ferrari is more valuable as the Porsche 959 is worth $1.7 million on average.
