The Retro-Cool V8 Powered SP40 Restomod: A Time-Traveling Car
The SP40 Restomod is a car that defies easy categorization. It's a restomod, a modern take on a classic car, but it's also a time machine, transporting us back to the age of pre-war European sports cars, American hot rods, and early muscle cars. It's a car that looks pure, analogue, and a lot of fun to push on some winding B-roads in the countryside. But what makes it truly fascinating is the story behind it, the people who built it, and the vision that drove them.
In my opinion, the SP40 is more than just a car; it's a testament to the power of imagination and the enduring appeal of vintage design. It's a car that challenges our assumptions about what a restomod should be, and it does so with style and panache. But what makes it truly remarkable is the way it pays homage to the past while looking to the future.
The SP40 is built upon a tubular steel space frame chassis with a carbon fiber body, replicating the lines of the 1934 Edsel Ford Model 40 Special Speedster almost down to the letter. But it also takes a few creative and sometimes essential liberties, such as bigger wheels, LED headlights, and a more modern interior. The result is a car that looks pure, analogue, and a lot of fun to push on some winding B-roads in the countryside.
Underneath that very long, straight hood is a 5.0-liter Ford Coyote V8 engine, producing about 480 horsepower. Paired with a dry weight of just under 1,200 kilos and the fact that it sends all the power to the rear wheels through a 5-speed manual transmission and a limited-slip differential, the SP40 is quite a potent machine. It's a car that's designed to be driven, and it does so with a sense of style and panache.
The minimalistic interior is decidedly 'new school' when compared to the 1934 original, with a three-spoke steering wheel, a wooden dash, and just a handful of gauges. The leather-clad seats look quite comfortable, and can fold forward to allow access to the luggage compartment in the boattail rear section of the car. The cabin is also where you will see the biggest leap in design and amenities compared to the original, with a four-point racing harness, modern handbrake, Bluetooth connectivity, a proper sound system, and a wireless phone charger.
Iconic Auto Sports, the company behind the SP40, states that only 40 will be built, at a starting price of USD 500,000. And as always, that's without even adding a few bespoke options, which will only drive up the price tag even more. However, you do get something hugely original in return, built to the highest standards and with the finest materials. So it's up to you really, what you want to turn up in for your next Cars 'n Coffee. A showroom exotic, or something truly special like this SP40?
In my opinion, the SP40 is a car that challenges our assumptions about what a restomod should be. It's a car that looks pure, analogue, and a lot of fun to push on some winding B-roads in the countryside. It's a car that pays homage to the past while looking to the future, and it does so with style and panache. So if you're looking for a car that's both retro-cool and cutting-edge, the SP40 Restomod is definitely one to consider.
