This Modern Classic Is Based on a Ferrari Worth Over $10 Million
Ferrari built some of the world’s best GT racers during the 1960s. One of the very best was the Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta. With just 176 examples ever built, it is an incredibly rare machine. As a result, values have shot up drastically. Recent auctions show 250 GT’s selling for upwards of $10 million. If like most of us, you missed the relentless appreciation train, there’s another option.
An engineering firm based in the U.K. called GTO Engineering has decided to revive the spirit of the 1960s with its new resto-mod project. It’s called the Moderna, and like those priceless Ferraris, it utilizes a naturally-aspirated V12 and a manual transmission. It isn’t cheap though, although it certainly isn’t the full $10 million, it is estimated to cost at least $1 million.
The Moderna draws heavy inspiration from a 1960s Ferrari
A seemingly endless bank account can get you into pretty much any car you want. However, in the case of some Ferraris, that isn’t enough. Since many of the 1960s racers existed in minimal quantities, there may be none for sale. Add on to that the ones that have been crashed, and you get a tiny pool to chose from. Collectors are holding onto these precious cars for a good reason.
For starters, the 1960s Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta that inspired the GTO Engineering Moderna had a tremendous powertrain. Under its hood lives a naturally aspirated V12 developing between 237 hp and 276 hp depending on engine configuration.
The SWB in the name stands for “short wheelbase.” According to Carfolio, the small footprint allowed the 250 GT to weigh just over 2,100 lb. A major draw of the 250 GT SWB Berlinetta in 1960 was that it could easily compete in racing events and meet all of the regulations with a few tweaks. As a result, many of the remaining examples are competition cars, which only further increase their price.
Under the hood lives a naturally-aspirated V12
Given strict vehicle development regulations, no modern car can remotely come close to offering the specs of 1960s Ferraris. Thankfully, GTO Engineering has decided to build a resto-mod instead of a brand-new car. The result is that the coach-built Moderna can look as authentic as possible, So much so that the Moderna follows a very similar recipe to that of the original 250 GT.
According to GTO Engineering, under the Moderna’s hood lives a naturally-aspirated V12 engine with a manual transmission. The Moderna’s entire body is produced out of carbon-fiber to be as light as possible. The result should be a car weighing under 2204 lb. According to Car and Driver, the Moderna plans to achieve this despite offering a fully-independent control arm suspension and aluminum subframes.
At $1 Million, the Moderna is a bargain
It’s hard to call a $1 million car a bargain, but in this case, it truly is. Especially when you consider that the asking price for a Ferrari 250 GT SWB can range between $8 million and $10 million, additionally, buyers will get the opportunity to spec the car themselves. On top of that, it’s worth considering the notable handling improvements the modern suspension components will offer. So if you’ve got $1 million burning a hole in your pocket, GTO Engineering has the answer.
