Wolfshark - 2001

T

 he organizing committee of the 24 Hours of Le Mans asked Franco Sbarro and Espera Pontarlier for a parade car to open the race in 2001. This is not the first time that Sbarro has responded to such a request to transport a few VIPs to the Sarthe circuit to open the race (Renault Espace Espider in 1998, the Proteus in 1999).

Audi V8 base for this parade roadster designed for the 2001 24 Hours of Le Mans.

For VIP

The aggressively designed wolfshark is powered by an Audi eight-cylinder engine developing 350 hp. That's more than enough power to knock some VIPs off their feet at close to 200 km/h. For the Wolfshark is a roadster, with no windscreen, and a cockpit framed by two roll-bars.
Minimal protection for occupants, so they can enjoy the Le Mans 24-hour circuit.

Metamorphosis

It's hard to imagine that the original car was an Audi sedan. A few images of the Wolfshark's construction give an insight into the process of creation by Espera's students. The body is made of polyester. The design uses a technique that Franco Sbarro has been employing since his early days, namely a wire structure that allows volumes to be apprehended. The structure is then covered with polyester to create the body. A less costly technique than making a mold from a model, as the early students at Espera Pontarlier did.
In brief
1- Parade vehicle
2- Designed for the 2001 Le Mans 24-hour race
3- Audi V8 base