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The Ferrari F430 Was Designed in Just Sixty Seconds

According to Frank Stephenson himself, a legend among car designers, the Ferrari F430's shape was decided in a mere sixty seconds. In a short video upload on YouTube some years ago, he says that the brief he received stated to do something based on the previous F360.
Frank Stephenson designing the F430 in 60 Seconds 6 photos
Photo: Frank Stephenson on YouTube
Ferrari F430 designed in 60 secondsFerrari F430 designed in 60 secondsFerrari F430 designed in 60 secondsFerrari F430 designed in 60 secondsFerrari F430 designed in 60 seconds
Curiously enough, the designer says that he always found the Ferrari F360 Modena to be "a bit soft." However, in his endeavors to discover what were the most successful prancing horse badged cars, Stephenson found the 1961 Shark Nose, and he remembered it from a magazine before doing the actual research.

The idea that the F430 – a non-turbo elegant Italian supercar – needed to be a little bit bolder than its predecessor stuck with the designer. He started the drawing based on his convictions and memories. After doing some sketches, he knew he had the right path to follow.

“It was one of those things. When you saw it, you knew it was right!” said Frank Stephenson.

He also adds that he thinks the F430 might be the only car in the world to have its name imprinted on the actual mirrors.

Stephenson points out that he had the advantage of a wider car, so he made a tumblehome that enhanced the car's dynamic looks. However, he also complains that designers nowadays add unnecessary vents to cars and declares himself "annoyed."

For the F430, it was also a challenge to have good aerodynamics, so Ferrari agreed to have two big intakes up front and the designer almost covered up the wheels to keep the air resistance as low as possible.

He ended his video by sending a message to new designers. Finally, Stephenson recommends continuing "genetical links to the past" and encourages keeping an eye on heritage.

The Ferrari F430 was made from June 2004 until 2009 and was followed by the 458 Italia.

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About the author: Florin Amariei
Florin Amariei profile photo

Car shows on TV and his father's Fiat Tempra may have been Florin's early influences, but nowadays he favors different things, like the power of an F-150 Raptor. He'll never be able to ignore the shape of a Ferrari though, especially a yellow one.
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