The world's most expensive nameplate looks set for a ultra-limited revival by Italian coachbuilder Ares Design.
Lead by ex-Lotus CEO Dany Bahar, the Modena-based company has released the first sketches of their modern reinterpretation of a 1960s Ferrari 250 GTO.
Currently described as a 'work in progress', the project came about via a special request by one client, but if approved, Ares say they are ready to build as many as 10 of the yet-to-be named model.
Read more: 812 Superfast: the fastest Ferrari ever
“We want to make a small series of these cars,” says Ares CEO Dany Bahar. “We could have the first one on the road in less than 12 months. Before we decide, we want to know what our customers think, what GTO owners think, and what Ferrari aficionados like the readers think.”
“In my view, the 250 GTO is the most iconic car ever produced, and the Holy Grail of motoring. Maybe people will think that some cars don’t need to be redone. We’ll listen.”
The Ferrari 250 grabbed international headlines earlier this year when an American entrepreneur purchased an original race-winning 1963 GTO for $99 million. Ferrari only built 36 original 250 GTOs between 1962 and 1964 and the model is commonly referred to as the most iconic Ferrari ever, due to its rarity and success in competition.
Ares' version is said to cost just under 1 million euros (NZ$1.75 million), so relatively speaking, it could be viewed as some what of a bargain by those 'struggling' to acquire the real deal.
The price also includes the cost of a Ferrari F12 of 812 Superfast, used as the basis of the new build. Under the Ares-designed bodywork, all major mechanical components will be sourced from Ferrari. That means all 250 builds would be powered by a naturally-aspirated V12 producing at least 537kW (720hp).
While Ares refine their final design, they're not taking the challenge of reviving such a storied nameplate lightly with company bosses stressing that their version is 'not a copy'.
“It’s a modern reinterpretation," said Bahar. “It’s a showcase for what our designers can do."
"If you’re going to take on a car like the 250 GTO, you need to have good hands and big balls, because every line will be criticized. But I think the proportions of this car are perfect.”
If that's not to your taste and you'd prefer a factory-built Ferrari, the company recently revealed the Monza SP1 and SP2, another a V12-powered, 812 Superfast-based car for about the same money.
