Could a Ferrari engine power a compact hatchback?
Meet the Super Eight, a creation by Sbarro
Is it possible to install a Ferrari engine in a regular vehicle? The field of car tuning is really wide. It is possible beyond what we think. It is safe to say that what we have considered tuned cars so far is only a tiny part of it. Restoring an old vehicle can be considered part of tuning in a broad sense, and it is fortunate to change an existing vehicle into a completely different one.
The ultimate car tuning model has recently appeared and is becoming a hot topic. A Swiss tuning company has produced a small hatchback, which is said to have a Ferrari engine. However, this vehicle has an unusual origin. So, let’s take a look at this extraordinary vehicle.
The Super Eight: Sbarro’s Compact Powerhouse
Sbarro, a Swiss company founded in 1971, made this hatchback. It started as a company that made replicas of previously sold vehicles. Starting with a replica of the Lola T70 racing car, it made replicas of the BMW 328, Ford GT40, Bugatti Royale, and Mercedes-Benz 540K, gaining a reputation.
This time, we’re introducing the 1984 Super Eight. It’s a compact hatchback with a Ferrari 308 3.0 V8 engine that produces 260 horsepower and 280 km/h (174 mph). Even by today’s standards, it’s a huge hot hatch.
More Than Just an Engine Swap
In the case of this hatchback, it is not simply a Ferrari engine. Looking at the exterior, you would not think so, but the body was also completely dismantled and remodeled based on the Ferrari 308 to make it a hatchback. In other words, it is not exactly a hatchback vehicle with a Ferrari engine swapped in, but rather a Ferrari 308 that has been converted into a hatchback. The transmission is also the same as that used in the 308.
Looking at the exterior, the straight lines are the main focus, and the grille, over fenders, classic BBS wheels, and air ducts in front of the rear wheels are reminiscent of the 308, emphasizing the sporty feel. The interior also has many traces of the 308. The instrument panel and steering wheel are from the 308, and the gear knob, center console, and seats are also from the 308. The all-brown color characterizes the classic look.
A Street-Legal Supercar
Now in Paris
Looking at the known history of this car, it is said that Sbarro, which manufactured it in 1984, sold it to its first owner after it was exhibited in Geneva. After that, it was purchased by the Sbarro Museum at an unknown time and exhibited until a Swiss collector purchased it. In 2020, the current owner bought it, which is said to be in Paris.
It can be driven on the road and registered in the United States if sold or moved. This unique, customized vehicle is priced around $139,101.
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