F40 and 959: Created for race class that was cancel before they were ready?

[ChrisBennet]

I seem to remember reading once that the 959 and F40 were built to compete in a race class or series that was cancelled before they were ready. I don't know if it was the same class or not. The 959 was created for Group B. Was the F40 made for Group B as well? Doesn't make sense to me either, I'm just asking.
-Chris

[RickC]

I think it was the 959 and Ferrari 288 GTO.

[osidak]

It was the 288GTO. One of my Cousins bought one. Great fun and mucho money to keep her running. Car was eventually destoryed during a track event.

[ChrisBennet]

I always loved the 288GTO.
-Chris

[oldE]

And don't forget: modified 959s ran Paris - Dakar, taking 1, 2 & 5 in '86!
Les

[Amac]

It was a 288 and 959.
Drove a friends F-40, I think it
would put a big time spanking
on a 959!! But a 959 is my dream
car.

[Wil Ferch]

Chris... me too....288GTO ( pre-F40) is just the ticket between modern and "older" GTO...Ahhh....purrrrfect.

Amac...F40 and 959 ( especially Sport 959) were evenly matched based on contemporary test reports.

---Wil Ferch

[Amac]

Wil,
F-40
478 bhp
0-60 in 3.0 sec
1/4 mile in 11.1 sec.

959
450 bhp
0-60 in 3.6 sec.
1/4 mile in 11.8 sec.

The 288 GTO was the match for the 959.
The F-40 was the newer version car after
the 288 GTO.

The race F-40 was in the 750hp range.
There two here in dallas maintained by
a race team.

[TargaRob]

The 959 was intended for rally and a street version was built as a requirement to participate. Funding was short so the 959 domination for rally came to an end.

Awesome car! Makes # 1 on my list.

[speeder]

I think that they're f-ugly. Just me, sorry.

[Wil Ferch]

Amac:
I won't argue the numbers you post ( but please, quote your sources...I have a number of test reports showing even closer matches...and the sport 959 having a higher top end than the F40).
Anyway...in any event....even using your numbers...I wouldn't exactly say the Ferrari is putting a "big time spanking" on the 959. More like '"walking slowly away" from the 959 at best.

---Wil Ferch

[Amac]

Wil,
My info. came from the Ferrari and Porsche websites.
They were both street versions of the cars.
Don't get me wrong, I have aways been a 959 fan.
But there are several F-40 race cars around, I've never
seen a 959 race anywhere.(I'm sure it's the value of the
car)
I can only say that after driving a 700hp F-40, it's as bad
as you want to get!!!