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Discover the One-of-a-Kind Ferrari-Powered Sbarro Super Eight Hot Hatch That Could Be Yours

Discover the One-of-a-Kind Ferrari-Powered Sbarro Super Eight Hot Hatch That Could Be Yours
Discover the One-of-a-Kind Ferrari-Powered Sbarro Super Eight Hot Hatch That Could Be Yours

The allure of the Geneva Motor Show has been dimmed over the years, but it still holds a special place in automotive history as a bastion of creativity and innovation. Once upon a time, it was the showcase of wild customs and groundbreaking designs, with Switzerland's own Rinspeed tantalizing audiences with their unusual creations. Among the gems presented at the 1984 Geneva Motor Show was perhaps the wildest hot hatchback to ever grace the stage: the Sbarro Super Eight. Now, this car—a true unicorn—has come up for auction, and the opportunity to own this masterpiece is knocking at the door.

This isn't just another flashy car; it's an experience, a piece of history, and an automotive conversation starter all rolled into one. Brought forth from the mind of coachbuilding legend Franco Sbarro—a name synonymous with innovation in automotive design—this model defies categorization. The Sbarro Super Eight is a chaotic blend of influences, resembling a cross between a Fiat Panda and a Testarossa from the stylish days of Miami Vice.

Meet Franco Sbarro

Franco Sbarro, the founder of the Sbarro workshop in 1968, is a unique figure in the automotive world. With no formal training in engineering or design, he has crafted a career defined by ingenuity and creativity. His iconic look evokes that of a comedic genius, sporting bushy eyebrows reminiscent of Groucho Marx. But don't let the humorous appearance fool you; Sbarro is as serious as they come when it comes to automotive craftsmanship.

Born in poverty in southern Italy, Sbarro migrated to Switzerland at just eighteen and began his career as a mechanic. His journey into car passion saw him working with renowned racing teams like Scuderia Filipinetti, where he honed his skills alongside legends like Jo Siffert and Jim Clark. His early exploits include swapping an engine into a Bizzarrini and preparing L88 Corvettes for the grueling Le Mans race.

Amazement at Every Turn

In the 1970s, Sbarro became known for his impressive range of replica vintage cars, notably a BMW 328 model crafted using fiberglass—a material that would allow him to let his creativity flourish. However, it was the 1980s that birthed the direct ancestor to the Super Eight, the Super Twelve. This quirky machine featured a rear-mounted inline-12 engine comprised of two Kawasaki motorcycle engines. While it worked, it wasn't exactly a flawless execution. Ultimately, Sbarro was called upon to create something more refined.

Fast forward to the Super Eight, built atop the platform and mechanicals of the Ferrari 308. Sbarro, commissioned by Swiss industrialist Bernd Grohe, transformed the 308 into a muscular hatchback. The final design is simply breathtaking, featuring pronounced air intakes and rear taillights borrowed from an Opel Ascona. This car embodies its era, with striking side-strakes echoing the aesthetic of the iconic Ferrari Testarossa.

Performance That Excites

The Sbarro Super Eight isn't just a pretty face; it retains the 3.0-liter Quattrovalvole V-8 from the original Ferrari, making it a high-performance machine that has racked up almost 20,000 miles over the years. Measuring shorter and wider than the 308, it has the muscular stance reminiscent of a Renault R5 Turbo but without the turbo lag, resulting in a more direct and exhilarating driving experience. The car's handling and driving dynamics have been praised, cementing it as a proper sports hatch that rewards its driver with an emotionally engaging experience.

Classic & Sports Car magazine recently took the Super Eight for a spin and found it to be a surprisingly performant vehicle. Unlike what the body might suggest, the car drives as if it was engineered with the utmost precision, highlighting Sbarro’s racing background. The art of driving this machine transforms ordinary road trips into memorable experiences, with a soundtrack provided by the operatic wail of its V8 engine revving to life.

Technical Wonders Abound

Over the years, Sbarro’s boundary-pushing creativity has led him to explore even more insane project concepts. For instance, an ambitious request for an off-road vehicle documented Sbarro's ingenuity, where he inserted a 6.3-liter Mercedes-Benz V8 into a Land Rover chassis and fashioned a muscular bodywork. This eccentricity echoes through his entire career, including his work with hubless wheels and bespoke motorcycles, which resemble art pieces better suited for sci-fi movies than for the open road.

Even today, Franco Sbarro’s influence reverberates through the automotive world. He has opened schools where aspiring designers learn the craft of car-making based on his teachings. His philosophical influence continues with new-age creations like the Taipan off-roader and the Replay roadster, marrying modern aesthetics with the tried-and-true art of coachbuilding.

Your Chance to Own History

For anyone with the means and attachment to automotive history, the Sbarro Super Eight represents a rare opportunity. This is not merely a chance to own a remarkable piece of engineering; it also embodies the passion and dedication of its creator. Designed by Sbarro, a man whose blood runs with mechanical heritage, this hot hatch marks the splendor of the golden age of automotive design fused with the modern demands of performance.

This uniquely crafted Ferrari-powered creation reconciles high entertainment value with an exclusive touch. For the winning bidder at the auction, the Sbarro Super Eight will bypass expectations and deliver an unparalleled experience behind the wheel, showing you a driving world that’s both exhilarating and engaging.

As Franco Sbarro himself has said, he is a craftsman who truly believes in 'mechanics in the blood'. With the Super Eight, you are not just acquiring a car; you are buying a legacy in the world of automotive excellence and a piece of artwork that encapsulates the whimsical artistry of a man who redefined the boundaries of possibility in vehicle design.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Sbarro Super Eight is a unique hot hatchback built on the platform of a Ferrari 308, designed by Franco Sbarro, featuring a 3.0-liter Quattrovalvole V-8 engine.

Franco Sbarro is a renowned coachbuilder and designer known for his innovative automotive creations. He founded the Sbarro workshop in 1968 and has a background in mechanics and racing.

The Sbarro Super Eight is considered a 'unicorn' in the automotive world due to its unique design, high-performance capabilities, and the legacy of its creator, Franco Sbarro.

The Sbarro Super Eight was first showcased at the 1984 Geneva Motor Show, an event known for presenting groundbreaking automotive designs and creative concepts.

While built on the Ferrari 308 platform, the Sbarro Super Eight offers a more exhilarating driving experience with its muscular stance, direct handling, and a powerful V8 engine, making it a proper sports hatch.
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