In the history of coachbuilding, Franco Sbarro has earned a special place. Inventor of the hubless wheel. Sculptor of wild body designs. Engineer of uninhibited speed and performance. If coachbuilding is an art form, then Sbarro is a great artist, expressing himself through automobiles that capture our imagination but also transform our notions of how they should look and work.
Italian-born and Swiss-bred Sbarro founded his company in
1971 to do just that. Over the years they crafted dozens of bodies, borrowing
chassis and tweaking engines to create a unique vision. Coachbuilding allows
for a manufacturer to build the cars of their customer’s dreams, without the
cost associated with mass production. As such, all of their creations are
produced in low quantities, making them even more rare and desirable.
Sometimes, though, coachbuilding isn’t just about innovation
but inspiration and homage. That’s why Sbarro also builds high-quality replicas
of classic cars like the BMW 328, Bugatti Royale, and Ford GT40.
Although Sbarro’s designs are ultra-modern, he appreciates the classics too.
In the 1980s, something of a conundrum occurred in automotive
manufacturing: Mercedes-Benz were building high-quality cars that were both
modern and instant classic at the same time. For the ever-watchful eye of Franco
Sbarro, these cars were ripe for the ultimate expression of gratitude towards
Mercedes-Benz for their products.
Which brings us to his custom Gullwing 6.9. The first people
of notoriety to customize the Mercedes C126 380-500SEC were Styling Garage out
of Hamburg, Germany. Then, Sbarro debuted his
legendary take at the 1983 Geneva Auto Show. These guys were the original “pimp
my ride”. They were Europeans who loved European cars and wanted to add their
own special touch. This usually called for extensive revisions of the interiors,
exteriors, and engines.
For Sbarro’s 500SEC, he uses elements from not just one
Mercedes-Benz, but two: the C124 coupe and W116 sedan. At first glance it
appears to borrow more from the C124. The body is imposing to say the least.
Sbarro has crafted entirely new sheetmetal in ways that Styling Garage did not.
The most striking
aspect are the gullwing doors, a tribute to the classic Mercedes-Benz 300SL
Gullwing of the 1950s. These were popularized by the 300SL and have since
become a trademark Mercedes feature, despite being used mainly on concept cars
until their 2010 SLS. Sbarro's gullwings are made of plastic for easy lifting
and less overall weight added to the vehicle.
The car has a unique roof that is lower than the C124. The
trunk is higher, and the wheel wells are flared. Mercedes designs of the time
featured an emphasis on horizontal lines, so Sbarro takes it new a new level.
The whole front is covered in thin slats that hide the headlights and grille
that are reminiscent of the rear of a Ferarri Testarossa. The lower panels
feature horizontal groove lines too that mimic the iconic ribbed taillights.
Inside, Sbarro has completely reworked the interior, while
retaining a Mercedes-Benz vibe throughout. The dashboard is from a W116 sedan.
The steering wheel is unique. The center console houses climate controls and an
aftermarket radio. The seats appear to be Recaro and are power adjustable from
buttons on the seats themselves. Despite the ambition of the overall project,
the interior is relatively modest and tasteful.
Underneath the hood lies an enormous
6.9-liter 8-cylinder engine, previously only available in the rare high
performance W116 450SEL sedan from 1975-1980. Sbarro is a speed hound and
wanted to put as much power in his creation as possible. The 6.9 put out around
286 horsepower, big for the time and still respectable today. It will easily
move this thing along.
Most customers of Sbarro were royalty from
the Middle East. This particular example was
built for an Arabian princess before being owned by Celtics basketball player
Dennis Johnson.
Cosmetically, the vehicle is in very good
shape. It underwent a 5 year restoration and has been driven around 9,000 miles
since. The paint is in good shape, with only some minor scratches and wear from
typical usage. The interior is also in good shape.
Mechanically, the car starts, runs and drives
fine, with no apparent issues. The owner has maintained it very well. The
hydraulic gullwing doors open and shut easily. The car also has height-adjustable
suspension.
Only
6 were supposedly built with this configuration, from a total of 28 including
the later Biturbo. It could very well be the only one in the U.S. This is a
rare piece of European coachbuilding history. The car is in good shape and
should be ready to go. At the very least, it will be a big hit at the local car
show and the cause of many scratched heads as people try to figure out what
exactly it is.
The vehicle is being donated. Proceeds from the sale will benefit the Arthritis Foundation. The vehicle is currently located in Monroe, North Carolina. Click here to send an inquiry if interested.
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