Ferrari 640
John Barnard's sharp-nosed V12 Ferrari that brought the paddle-shift semi-automatic gearbox to Formula One.
- Power
- 660 bhp
- Est. value
- $715k–$4.2m
About the Ferrari 640
The 640 was John Barnard's first Ferrari, a narrow, sharp-nosed car with bulging sidepods powered by the 3.5-litre Tipo 035/5 V12, which made up to 660 bhp by the end of 1989. Its electro-hydraulic gearbox, worked by paddles behind the steering wheel, saved space and shift time but was badly unreliable until a battery supply problem was solved with help from Magneti Marelli. Nigel Mansell won on the car's debut in Brazil and again in Hungary after passing Ayrton Senna for the lead, and Gerhard Berger won in Portugal. The 640 never had both cars finish the same race, but semi-automatic gearboxes like its own had become the norm by the mid-1990s.
Ferrari 640 specs
The Ferrari 640 produces 660 bhp (492 kW).
| Make | Ferrari |
|---|---|
| Model | 640 |
| Years | 1989 |
| Type | Race car |
| Body style | Open-wheel single-seater |
| Country | Italy |
| Engine | 3.5L naturally aspirated V12 (Ferrari Tipo 035/5) |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 3,498 cc (3.5 litres) |
| Induction | Naturally aspirated |
| Power | 660 bhp (492 kW) at 13,000 rpm |
| Transmission | 7-speed semi-automatic |
| Drivetrain | Rear-wheel drive |
| Weight | 510 kg (1,124 lb) |
| Power-to-weight | 1294 bhp per tonne |
Typical figures for the standard car; options, markets and model years vary. Where our specs come from
How much is a Ferrari 640 worth?
A typical Ferrari 640 is estimated to be worth $715,000 – $4,180,000 (about £533,000 – £3,120,000).
Values are directional estimates for a typical example, not appraisals. Condition, mileage, history and specification all change what a real car is worth. Pound figures use the exchange rate of 3 November 2026. How values are estimated
Ferrari 640 rarity in CarSpot
The Ferrari 640 is a Unicorn card in CarSpot, with a rarity score of 100 out of 100. The rarest tier: hypercars, one-offs and cars built in tiny numbers, typically fewer than about 500. A Unicorn card is worth 320 XP.
Each model's tier starts from a 0–100 score based on its value plus its power or production numbers. Once enough players have spotted a model, how often it is spotted can move it up or down one tier. How CarSpot rarity works
Rarity is a collectible game mechanic, not an assessment of real-world scarcity or value.
Ferrari 640 fun facts
- It was the first Ferrari Formula One car with a V12 engine since the 312 F1-69 of 1969.
- Berger escaped a fiery crash at Imola with burns and broken ribs, and because the paddle shift let him keep both hands on the wheel he was back one race later.
- Mansell's double-winning chassis 109 sold for EUR 3,605,000 at RM Sotheby's Monaco sale in 2022.
