F40 LM Barchetta — The Ghost of Maranello

Unwanted Steed - The car we’re about to talk about is rare, unique, and a bit of a mystery. Why? Because even though it’s based on one of the most legendary Ferraris of the 1980s, it was never officially acknowledged by Ferrari themselves. That’s right—despite its powerful DNA and iconic roots, this car was denied the right to wear the famous Prancing Horse badge. It’s like an unwanted child—built with pedigree, but rejected by its own family.😢 

The Ferrari F40 LM Barchetta or F40 'Beurlys' was originally built based on the legendary Ferrari F40 LM number 19. (Picture from: Monochrome-Watches)

But don’t be sad just yet. Because even without Ferrari’s blessing, the car known as the Ferrari F40 LM Barchetta—or more affectionately, the F40 ‘Beurlys’—is a one-off piece of supercar history. Built on the racing-spec Ferrari F40 LM, it shares the bloodline of one of the greatest supercars ever made. The F40, produced in the late 1980s, is already iconic on its own. Add to that the ultra-rare F40 LM racing version—of which only 19 units were ever built—and you have the foundation for something extraordinary.

A 1987 road-legal version of the Ferrari F40. (Picture from: Monochrome-Watches)

This particular car began life as chassis number 19, a real F40 LM that had once been raced by Formula 1 drivers Jean Alesi and Jean-Pierre Jabouille. After its retirement from racing, it ended up in the hands of Jean “Beurlys” Blaton, a Belgian billionaire and passionate car collector. According to some sources, the car may have even been given to him as a farewell gift. Blaton wasn’t just a rich guy with taste—he was also a seasoned racer himself, having competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans more than 15 times, many of those with Ferrari. 

The Ferrari F40 LM Barchetta or F40 'Beurlys' originated from the brutal LM version of the Ferrari F40, a track-focused machine built purely for racing purposes. (Picture from: Monochrome-Watches)

But for Blaton, even owning one of just nineteen F40 LMs wasn’t special enough. He wanted something that nobody else had. To bring his vision to life, he enlisted Belgian carmaker Tony Gillet, who would later become known for building the Gillet Vertigo. Blaton also reached out to Michelotto, the legendary Italian engineering company involved in the development of the original F40 LM. Together, they set out to completely transform the car. 

The Ferrari F40 LM Barchetta or F40 'Beurlys' built by Belgian automaker Tony Gillet under supervised of Michelotto and commissioned of Jean 'Beurlys' Blaton. (Picture from: Monochrome-Watches)

The result was nothing short of radical. The roof was completely cut off to create a Barchetta-style roadster. The bodywork was redesigned, a competition-style windshield was installed, and the engine restrictor was removed to unleash its full potential. The exhaust was rerouted to exit from the sides, a roll cage was added for structural integrity, and the chassis was upgraded with Formula 1-style pushrod suspension. Once complete, the car was painted bright yellow—Belgium’s official racing color. And with the restrictor removed, the 2.9L twin-turbo V8 engine was now pushing out an astonishing 760 horsepower, with a claimed top speed of 368.5 km/h (229 mph). Just imagine hitting that speed in a roofless machine. You’d feel like your skin was being peeled off by the wind.😀

The Ferrari F40 LM Barchetta or F40 'Beurlys' was radically modified with open-top bodywork, side-exit exhaust, F1-style suspension, and a yellow Belgian livery—unleashing its 2.9L twin-turbo V8 to 760 hp and 368.5 km/h. (Picture from: Retromania4Ever in X)

Of course, Ferrari didn’t see it as a masterpiece—they saw it as blasphemy. The company is famously protective of its designs and heritage, and they took offense to the dramatic transformation. As a result, the car was stripped of every Ferrari badge and even the signature F40 stamp that’s usually etched into the rear wing. It was wiped from Ferrari’s records and deemed no longer part of their family tree. In fact, Blaton was reportedly banned from owning any new Ferrari models after that—an exile that lasted until his death in 2020.😮

The Ferrari F40 LM Barchetta or F40 'Beurlys' was seen not as a masterpiece but as blasphemy by Ferrari, a brand fiercely protective of its design legacy and deeply offended by the radical transformation. (Picture from: Monochrome-Watches)

As with many rare cars, the F40 Barchetta’s story gets murky in the details. Some claim the car isn’t even a real F40, but rather a tube-frame replica with a fiberglass body and an Alfa Romeo engine.😧 Others say it was built by a Swiss-Italian team under the guidance of Mario Navarrete, a former technician from the Coloni F1 team, and that it uses a salvaged F40 powertrain tuned to 650 hp.😏 Despite the conflicting accounts, most experts agree that it was originally based on a genuine F40 LM chassis before undergoing its dramatic rebirth.

The Ferrari F40 LM Barchetta or F40 'Beurlys' was stripped of all Ferrari badges, including the iconic F40 wing stamp, and erased from the brand’s official records as if it had never existed. (Picture from: Monochrome-Watches)

In 2005, the car was offered at auction in France alongside 41 other vehicles from Blaton’s collection. It was expected to fetch between $190,000 and $245,000 but ultimately didn’t sell. Since then, its whereabouts have remained somewhat mysterious, though it reportedly made an appearance at a Ferrari track day event a few years ago. 

No matter what version of the story you believe, the F40 ‘Beurlys’ remains one of the most fascinating outliers in Ferrari history. It’s an automotive paradox—created from one of the most coveted Ferraris ever built, yet no longer allowed to be called a Ferrari. Still, whether or not Maranello chooses to acknowledge it, this roofless beast stands as a testament to bold vision, engineering passion, and the kind of rebellious spirit that keeps car culture alive. And if you ask us? It’s still one of the coolest unofficial Ferraris to ever exist.😎 *** [EKA [02062022] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | MONOCHROME-WATCHES | JALOPNIK | RETROMANIA4EVER IN X ]

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