Two abandoned Ferrari F40s in Spain? The surprising reality behind the Google Maps find

A Spanish YouTuber found two vehicles that looked like abandoned Ferrari F40s in Spain, visible on Google Maps. But when he decided to check them out in person, the reality was very different from what was expected.

Many of us are capable of believing what we see on the screen, even if it seems too good to be true. This case is a clear example: two red silhouettes with the look of a classic Italian supercar, but with a story that was only discovered in person.

The two Ferrari F40s on Google Maps: a mirage worth more than gold

The fact that two Ferrari F40s were located parked and apparently abandoned in Spain aroused the curiosity of a car-specialized YouTuber, Georgesmithgood. The F40 model is an automotive gem, with only 1,300 units manufactured between 1987 and 1992 and a value that can exceed millions of euros. For this reason, seeing two in different parts of the country seemed suspicious.

What was really next to the border with Portugal?

The first clue took him to a small town near the border with Portugal, where, indeed, he found a car with the red silhouette and spoiler of the F40. But when he got closer, the illusion was shattered: it was not an authentic Ferrari, but a replica built on a Pontiac Fiero. This American model from the 80s is the perfect base to copy the mid-engine layout and proportions of an Italian supercar.

What happened with the second Ferrari, near Valencia?

The investigation continued hundreds of kilometers further and the second supposed F40 was also a replica based on a Pontiac Fiero. This second car, also identified on Google Maps, was owned by a private individual who offered it for sale for about 35,000 euros, an offer that Georgesmithgood refused.

Why is the Pontiac Fiero preferred for faking a Ferrari F40?

The answer is no coincidence. The Pontiac Fiero, with a mid-engine and a relatively low price, has become the most used platform to build imitations of Ferrari, Lamborghini, and other expensive supercars. This architecture facilitates adapting the bodywork to create a silhouette that fools from a distance, including from Google Maps.

What are the characteristics that make the Fiero an ideal base?

The Fiero stands out for its proportions, mid-engine, and abundance in the second-hand market, which makes building kit cars with the appearance of prohibitively expensive models easier. Even so, when someone approaches the vehicle, the illusion breaks.

Are there other replicas based on more expensive bases?

Interestingly, replicas of an F40 have also been built from cars like the Acura NSX, which have a much higher value, but the Fiero remains the most common base due to its combination of price and mechanical configuration.

Are abandoned Ferraris always fake? The case of real supercars left to themselves

Despite the disappointment with the replicas, there are documented cases of authentic Ferraris abandoned. For example, in the United States, a lawyer accumulated 13 Ferraris that were parked and neglected after he became ill. Over time, these cars deteriorated, although the family managed to recover them, albeit missing some.

What happened with these real abandoned Ferraris?

The vehicles remained in a field in Texas for years, and the story attracted attention because of the quantity and value of the involved cars, demonstrating that not all stories of abandoned Ferraris are false illusions.

Why is it so strange to leave an authentic Ferrari abandoned?

The high value and status of these machines make it hard to imagine their owners letting them go to waste for years. That is why, when they appear on Google Maps, one should always verify the reality beyond the screen.

The reality is that, behind the attractive image of two abandoned Ferrari F40s in Spain, there was a story of well-built replicas on Pontiac Fiero, a piece of kit car culture that still surprises for its ability to deceive from a distance.

It is a lesson for any enthusiast or simple curious onlookers: not all that glitters is gold, nor is every Ferrari seen from the air a real Ferrari. The combination of technology like Google Maps and passion for cars can end in discoveries as unexpected as this.