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Sbarro is a smallSwiss high-performance replica andsports car company founded by Franco Sbarro in 1971.
The first Sbarro offered was a replica of theLola T70, powered by a 5.4-litreChevroletV8. Since then, the company has produced small-series replicas of a variety of models including theBMW 328,Ford GT40,Bugatti Royale andMercedes-Benz 540K.[1] While the majority of Sbarro's designs remained one-offs, about 135 examples of the BMW 328 Replica were built, making it by far the most common Sbarro vehicle.[2] A few other models were built in smaller runs, usually in the single digits.
Some significant models have included themid-engineTiger (powered by a 6.3-literMercedes-Benz M100 V8),[3] theStash (offered as a 2+2coupé orconvertible), and the extremely wedge-shapedChallenge of the mid-1980s. In the name of aerodynamics, the Challenge dispensed with traditional mirrors and may have been the first car sold with areversing camera.[4] The original Challenge I, presented at the 1985Geneva Auto Show, had a unique tubular frame and a turbocharged Mercedes-Benz 5-liter V8 engine. Claimed power was 380 PS (279 kW) and the top speed 310 km/h (193 mph).[5] Other special features were twin rear wheels and a biplane rear wing which angled upwards at up to 18 degrees under braking, to add downforce and stabilize the car. Sbarro also intended to provide each customer with a radio-controlled replica of the car.[5] The 1986 Challenge 2+2 was developed from this; it (and the succeeding Challenge III) had a planned production run of ten cars and usedPorsche 930 underpinnings. There was also a "Baby Challenge" for children, presented in 1986. It was powered by a 350-cc, single-cylinder Honda engine.[6]
Sbarro also collaborated withPierre Cardin for a mid-engined, turbocharged version of the Stash released inParis 1975.[7] While the 109 kW (148 PS; 146 hp), 1.8-litreVolkswagen K70 engine provided impressive performance for the time, Cardin's special interior with its striping, special upholstery, and zip-fastened pockets was the main attraction.[8] All Sbarros have been extremely limited production vehicles - for instance, only five Stash seem to have been built, even though at least three engines, two bodystyles, and the Pierre Cardin special edition were on offer.[9]
Another series of project cars of the early 1980s sold to private customers are theSuper Twelve andSuper Eight. The 1982 Super Twelve had bespoke bodywork looking like a squared-off hatchback, albeit with unusually broad fenders and many other hints at potency. The mid-mounted engine was a straight twelve-cylinder unit constructed from twoKawasaki Z1300 six-cylinder motorcycle engines, with the driveshaft in the center.[10] Claimed maximum power was 260 PS (191 kW).[11] The 1984 Super Eight featured largely the same bodywork, but received the marginally more sane eight-cylinder engine from theFerrari 308.[10]
Sbarro has also built dozens ofconcept cars and custom high-performance vehicles for private customers. Some of the more recent concepts are theChristelle,Millennium Coupé, andPicasso (2001),GT12 (2000) andGT1 (1999). Some of these featurehubless wheels, a recurring Sbarro concept.[citation needed]
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At theGeneva Motor Show on 3 March 2011, Sbarro unveiled the Evoluzione concept car. Sbarro's concept car had a 1.8-litreturbocharged four-cylinder engine fromAudi. It output 134 kW of power. The Evoluzione was built without normal production car constraints, as the rear exposes the entire rear suspension set-up as well as the engine. Overall, the design took 25 students just 13 weeks to complete.[12]
Established over 20 years ago by Franco Sbarro, Sbarro Espera school offers training in car design and mechanics, and combines theory and practice.[13]
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