Sbarro Stash & Stash HS

In 1974, Sbarro presented its latest creation at the Geneva Motor Show: the Stash. This three-seater coupé was designed on the basis of the SV1, with much more refined and harmonious lines. Two body styles are offered: coupé and targa cabriolet, the latter named HS. The name Stash comes from the nickname of Stanislas Klossowski, its sponsor.

The Sbarro Stash (probably the Cardin version). Photo of the ACA Sbarro 2-page double-sided brochure from 1978.

A successful evolution of the SV1

The chassis, similar to that of the SV1, consists of a central beam connected to a reinforced tubular frame and a double roll bar, all embedded in two polyester monocoques. Braking is provided by four discs. Sprinklers can be fitted on request. There are two luggage compartments, one at the front (290 liters) and one at the rear (140 liters), offering a capacity that is rare in this type of bodywork.

Abandoning the rotary engine of the SV1, the Stash is available with several engine options. The first comes from Volkswagen, a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder K70 developing 105 DIN hp, or 147 hp in its turbocharged version. The second is a Mercedes 450 SE. In the latter case, the Stash changes registers and no longer plays in the same category. The 6.9-liter V8 is twice as powerful as the VW block, with 286 hp.  One Stash was fitted with a Porsche engine, for a Greek businessman, Jean Arvanitis. It seems that another was powered by a BMW 3-liter 6-cylinder, but I have no confirmation of the latter.

Such power ratings might make you smile these days, but remember that at the time, an Alpine A110 developed 95 hp, and a Ferrari 308 just 255 hp! The Stash is far from underpowered, even in its 4-cylinder version. The Mercedes 6.9-equipped version reaches 240 km/h and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.4 seconds. Roughly equivalent to the performance of a Ferrari 308.
Franco Sbarro at the wheel of a Super Stash HS with a 6.9-liter Mercedes V8 engine.

Pierre Cardin and the Sbarro Stash

In 1975, the famous fashion designer Pierre Cardin presented his version of the Stash at the Paris Motor Show. The changes made to this unique model mainly concerned the interior (on the outside, only the signature "Pierre Cardin" appeared on the side in a blue band). The dashboard is now in painted lamellar rubber, and the seats and carpets, as well as the roof lining, are adorned with stripes. The Volkswagen mechanics remain unchanged. Cardin's Stash is therefore a version with a different finish, less classic and more luxurious. But Pierre Cardin implied that he had participated in the design of the car, and not simply redesigned the interior (the annotated brochure opposite bears the headline "Car created by Pierre Cardin and built by Sbarro". Even the Sbarro logo on the hood was replaced by that of the couturier. Franco Sbarro didn't appreciate the designer's method, as you can imagine! Nevertheless, the Stash and Cardin remain associated in the eyes of many.

Pierre Cardin designed a painted lamellar rubber interior and striped carpets for the Stash.
image from https://gazoo.com/feature/gazoo-museum/car-history/17/03/31_2/

The Stash, that pretty unknown

Sbarro's creations can't be talked about in terms of production figures. Only five examples of the Stash were sold. Yet, as Sbarro himself says, the car "looks good, is very practical and relatively inexpensive". The Stash is little-known, and has not had the diffusion it would have deserved. Untraceable today, it's very difficult to know what has become of these rarities today.

In brief
1- An evolution of the SV1
2- Five examples produced, with Volkswagen or Mercedes engines
3- Fashion designer Pierre Cardin fitted out one example
Main sources
1- book "Franco Sbarro / concept cars" by Fabian Sbarro
2- Auto Journal spécial salon, september 1976
3- former site of the Espera school in Pontarlier, consulted and archived by me in 2009
4- brochure Sbarro Stash 1974
5- book "Automobiles extraordinaires" by Peter Vann and Gérald Asaria, Editions EPA 1983 ISBN 2-85120-188-3