Bearing chassis number 109, it’s the car Mansell drove to victory in his debut with Ferrari at the Brazilian GP and later at the Hungarian GP after starting 12th.

He finished second in this car at his home GP at Silverstone.

It’s believed that it hasn’t turned a wheel since it was presented to him following the 1989 Australian Grand Prix in Adelaide, a race he retired from, but not in this car.

Mansell, a 31-time GP winner, was the last driver personally invited to join the Scuderia by Enzo himself and described the that moment as “one of the greatest in my career”. “Il Commendatore” presented the Englishman with a Ferrari F40 as a welcome gift upon joining.

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Mansell’s courageous driving style and win it or bin it mindset quickly earned him the nickname of “Il Leone”or ” e Lion” from his adoring Italian fans.

John Barnard, who was poached from McLaren, penned the 640 which is powered by a 3.5-litre, V12 engine. e 640 is instantly recognised by its sharp nose, narrow monocoque and wide bodywork housing the radiators. It is the first Ferrari F1 car fitted with a semi-automatic gearbox.

Ahead of the first race of the 1989 season, Mansell travelled to Italy for testing and promptly set a new track record on 5 January, 1989, at the Fiorano circuit.

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From Unique Cars #465, April 2022

Originally published at our sister site, Unique Cars.