1990 marked the delivery of one of the most fascinating Ferrari F40s ever produced, and now this exceptional machine is headed to auction. RM Sotheby’s will present the 1990 Ferrari F40 “Jean Sage” by Michelotto during the Woodcote Park Auction on July 8, where the historically significant supercar is expected to fetch up to $4.35 million. Combining impeccable provenance, rare Michelotto engineering, and preserved originality, chassis 84642 represents one of the most distinctive road-legal F40s in existence.
Originally supplied through French Ferrari importer Charles Pozzi to legendary motorsport executive Jean Sage, the car was delivered as a highly coveted “non-cat, non-adjust” example, meaning it avoided both catalytic converters and adjustable suspension. Sage, one of France’s most respected racing figures, built his reputation through Formula 2, Renault’s pioneering Formula 1 turbo program, and later Ferrari France, where he managed the marque’s successful IMSA F40 racing campaign. His intimate involvement with Ferrari’s competition efforts gave him unparalleled access to the engineers responsible for developing the F40’s racing variants.
In 1994, Sage commissioned renowned Ferrari race specialist Michelotto to transform his personal F40 using technology inspired by the CSAI GT specification while retaining full road legality. Rather than creating a pure race car, Michelotto engineered a machine capable of delivering competition-level performance on both road and circuit.
The upgrades were extensive. The matching-numbers 2.9-liter twin-turbocharged V8 received a comprehensive rebuild featuring special I.H.I. turbochargers and a lightweight Maurice Chabord exhaust system, boosting output to 527 horsepower while dramatically increasing torque to 626 lb-ft. Weight-saving measures included lightweight front and rear clamshells, sliding Lexan-style windows, removal of the air-conditioning system, and F40 LM-inspired carbon-fiber bucket seats, trimming approximately 136 kilograms from the car’s overall mass.
Michelotto also transformed the chassis with adjustable Koni suspension, F40 LM brakes, dual master cylinders, adjustable brake bias, enhanced brake cooling, and 17-inch OZ Racing monoblock wheels capable of accommodating both racing slicks and road tires. A larger U.S.-specification front splitter further improved aerodynamic stability at high speed.
Unlike many extensively modified supercars, the Jean Sage F40 was actively enjoyed. It appeared in the 1994 Ferrari 348 Challenge Finals and later participated in qualifying for the 1995 BPR Global Endurance GT Championship at Paul Ricard, where it competed against factory-backed GT machinery, including multiple McLaren F1 GTRs. Remarkably, despite remaining fundamentally road legal, it posted the fastest GT4 qualifying time and finished only seconds behind a dedicated F40 LM.
Imported to the United Kingdom in 1996, the F40 has remained meticulously maintained, accumulating just 22,699 kilometers (approximately 14,105 miles). Recent servicing includes new aluminum fuel tanks, fresh cambelts, ignition components, and routine engine maintenance. Importantly, the car still retains its matching-numbers engine and gearbox, Michelotto-specific suspension, braking system, carbon-fiber seats, fire suppression system, OZ Racing wheels, and numerous original competition-derived modifications.
Accompanied by its original documentation, warranty records, Massini report, maintenance history, and decades of inspection certificates, chassis 84642 stands as perhaps the most historically significant French-delivered road-going Ferrari F40 ever created. Blending the pedigree of one of motorsport’s most influential figures with Michelotto’s legendary engineering expertise, it represents an exceptionally rare opportunity for collectors seeking an F40 that offers both unmatched provenance and extraordinary performance.
Source: RM Sotheby’s
