We don't get to talk about Sbarro very often, so not many people are familiar with the work of this Swiss high-performance replica and sportscar company founded by Franco Sbarro in 1971.
One of their most famous creations is the Challenge III, built in the late '80s and based on a Porsche 911 Carrera from that era. Only 10 were ever built and this is car number 7, which is the only one produced as a 4-seater.
It's been on sale a couple of times, but we don't think it ever exchanged hans. Regardless of that, it's a very interesting machine, every bit as much of an '80s thing as the Sony Walkman, ET and the Rubik's cube.
Under that weirdly shaped bottom is a 3.3-liter engine that supposedly makes 400 horsepower and is linked to a 5-speed manual. There's also a massive air brake to provide extra stopping power and generate a discussion with your friends. To make life with that long nose easier, the front gets air suspension.
The design is not a classic, but it is unique. The 19-inch wheels at the back are much wider than the 17-inch ones at the front, the paintjob changes color and the doors open upwards like a Lamborghini's. Wedge shapes were very popular at the time and they have an added advantage: low drag coefficient of only 0.26.
Unique features include the windscreen that can move forward and act as a sunroof, wipers which work on rotation and only one stop light. Some models had cameras instead of rear view mirrors, but thins one has the standard setup.
Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida. Full profile
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