A superb
car freely inspired by the 1959 Ferrari Testarossa and all the
racing cars of that era. So it's not an exact replica, but an
evocation. Based on a Ferrari 365 GT4 2+2, the Mille Miglia
was presented at the 2005 Geneva Motor Show.
Franco
Sbarro's Mille Miglia is an evocation of the 1959 Ferrari
Testarossa (photographie radicalmag)
Evocation
As always at Franco Sbarro,
everything starts with a customer's request. Here, the
client wanted a Ferrari that evoked the racing cars of the
late 1950s. The Mille Miglia, which takes its name from the
famous Italian race, is built from a Ferrari 365 GT4 2+2,
surely supplied by the customer (that's just a guess on my
part). The body is made of polyester, Sbarro's preferred
material. This bodywork would later be used for other
models, but this first model is distinguished by its side
vents, which are mentioned but not opened.
The
rear end is impressive, with two streamlined headrest
extensions and four tailpipes (photo by radicalmag).
V12 Ferrari
The original car's V12 engine remains
untouched. Fully original, it delivers 340 hp. As the Mille
Miglia doesn't need to be heavier than the 365 GT4 2+2, the
performance is sufficient, with the pleasure of driving in
the open air (you won't have the choice anyway, as there's
no soft top). Radicalmag magazine was able to test-drive the
Mille Miglia, and the journalist was very enthusiastic. Two
problems were raised: taller drivers have to look over the
windscreen, not through it, and the speedometer didn't seem
properly calibrated.
Just
the basic instrumentation, V12 and manual gearbox: an idea
of the automobile forgotten today (radicalmag photo)
The Mille Miglia, especially
in yellow as shown here, is a beautiful car, which,
importantly, is not an exact replica, but an evocation. At
the 2006 Geneva Motor Show, Sbarro will be exhibiting two
further examples: one painted white, the other red.
In brief
1- Free evocation of the 1959 Ferrari Testarossa
2- Based on a Ferrari 365 GT4 2+2
3- Manual gearbox and 340 hp V12 engine