The Ferrari F40 LM occupied a specific and uncompromising place in 1990s GT racing. Built on the foundations of the road F40 but reconfigured for endurance competition, it became the weapon of choice for privateer squads willing to take on factory-backed machinery at the highest level. By 1996 it was racing against the McLaren F1 GTR and Porsche 911 GT1 at Le Mans — and still finding its way onto the entry list. This 1:18 scale model from Tecnomodel documents exactly one of those entries.
A Road Car Taken to Its Logical Extreme
Ferrari developed the F40 LM as a factory-supported evolution of the road car, reworked specifically for GT racing. The bodywork was lightened and revised, a larger fuel tank fitted to meet endurance demands, a fire suppression system integrated for safety regulations, and the aerodynamics reworked around a prominent rear wing. The engine is a twin-turbocharged V8 equipped with IHI turbos.
Car No. 59 and the 1996 GT1 Battle
The 1996 24 Hours of Le Mans GT1 class was among the most competitive in the race's modern era, with McLaren F1 GTRs, Porsche 911 GT1s, and multiple Ferrari F40 LMs contesting the category. Team Ennea Srl, a small Italian privateer outfit, entered car No. 59 with a three-driver crew of Piero Nappi, Robin Donovan and Tetsuya Ota — an Italian, a British driver and a Japanese driver sharing a single cockpit. The predominantly red livery was consistent with the F40 LM's typical privateer presentation at Le Mans during the mid-1990s GT era. By 1996, the F40 LM was among the last of its generation still competing at the top level.
Tecnomodel's Resin Construction in 1:18
This model is produced by Tecnomodel, an Italian specialist manufacturer recognised for high-detail resin releases focused on racing subjects. The 1:18 resin format allows a level of surface and livery accuracy that diecast tooling rarely achieves at this scale. The rear trunk opens to reveal engine detail — a notable feature for a resin model — and the clamshell is secured by a magnetic closure system. The combination of a race-correct No. 59 livery and functional engine display makes this a display-quality piece for GT racing collectors.
Frequently asked questions
What race and entry does this model represent?
It reproduces car No. 59 entered by Team Ennea Srl at the 1996 24 Hours of Le Mans, driven by Piero Nappi, Robin Donovan and Tetsuya Ota in the GT1 class.
Does the model have opening parts?
Yes. The rear trunk opens to display the twin-turbo V8 engine and is held closed by a magnetic system.
What material is the model made from?
The model is made from resin, which allows high surface accuracy and fine livery detail.
Who built the Ferrari F40 LM and how did it differ from the road car?
Ferrari developed the F40 LM as a factory-supported competition variant. Key changes over the road car included revised and lightened bodywork, a larger fuel tank, a fire suppression system, reworked aerodynamics with a prominent rear wing, and a twin-turbo V8 tuned for race use.
