Scuderia ‘89 – ‘The Pursuit For Paddle’ Collection

At a Glance

• Two-car Ferrari Formula 1 collection charting the birth of paddle-shift transmission: the 639 F1 factory prototype and the 640 F1 driven by Gerhard Berger in the 1989 World Championship.
• Together, these cars mark the technological turning point that introduced paddle-shift gear-changing to Formula 1 — the innovation now standard across modern race and road cars.
• Offered for sale exclusively as a pair.

A Landmark Collection in Ferrari’s Formula 1 History

Furlonger are pleased to launch this unique two-car collection of ultra-rare and historically significant Ferrari Formula 1 cars, offering collectors the chance to own two vehicles that together mark the birth of paddle-shift technology in Grand Prix racing.

Presented by Furlonger, one of the UK’s leading specialists in Ferrari, Lamborghini and Bugatti, in collaboration with our European partner Egon Zweimüller, the ‘Scuderia ’89 – The Pursuit for Paddle’ collection charts the earliest development of the semi-automatic paddle-shift transmission – from factory test prototype to its World Championship racing debut.

The collection comprises the 1988 Ferrari 639 F1, a factory prototype used to test the first semi-automatic paddle-shift transmission, and the 1989 Ferrari 640 F1, the first F1 car to race with the new gearbox, driven by Gerhard Berger throughout the 1989 season. Together, these two landmark single-seaters represent the origin point of a technology that would go on to define Formula 1 gear-changing for decades, and which Ferrari would later carry into its road-going supercars.

Simon Furlonger, Founder and Managing Director of Furlonger Specialist Cars, said: “We’ve assembled two of the most significant Formula 1 cars in Ferrari’s history. These models define the dawn of a new era, when Ferrari first harnessed paddle-shift technology on the Grand Prix grid. Of course, the 639 and 640 laid the foundations for the dominant Schumacher years that would follow in the early 2000s.”

1988 Ferrari 639 F1 (Chassis #106)

The only Tipo 639 in private hands, and the second of two factory prototypes built, Chassis #106 was developed to test Ferrari’s new Tipo 035 3.5-litre V12 engine. More significantly, the 639 was the first F1 car to feature the paddle-shift levers now commonplace across modern race and road cars. Retained by the Ferrari factory from 1988 until April 1999, the car has since benefited from diligent ownership and extensive work carried out by Ferrari Classiche. It remains fully driveable, with recent outings at Goodwood and Silverstone.

1989 Ferrari 640 F1 (Chassis #110)

Driven by Gerhard Berger throughout the 1989 season — in the Canadian, German, British, Mexican and United States Grands Prix — Chassis #110 was the first Formula 1 car to use a paddle-shift transmission in the World Championship. Following its retirement from racing, the car served initially as a static display vehicle before undergoing a complete restoration, during which it was awarded Ferrari Classiche certification. It was recently reunited with Berger for display laps at the 2024 Goodwood Members’ Meeting.

Available Exclusively as a Pair

The two cars in the ‘Scuderia ’89’ Collection are offered for sale only together. Interested parties are encouraged to contact Furlonger or Zweimüller to arrange a viewing or request further information.

Our European Partner: Egon Zweimüller

Furlonger are proud to work with our good friend Egon Zweimüller as our official European partner for acquisitions, restoration and research. With over 50 years of experience restoring, maintaining and handling the sale of exceptional vehicles, Zweimüller’s values align closely with our own. The Scuderia ’89 and Camel Collections are among several exciting projects we are currently working on together.

Ferrari 639 and 640 F1 cars parked together as parts of the Scuderia '89 collection by Furlonger