A Timeless Design Born in Geneva 2010

The Sbarro Autobau Concept, showcased in the high-resolution image gallery above, takes us back to the 1970s when automotive concepts exuded a wild and unconventional vibe.

These designs, reminiscent of Star Trek and George Barris, featured low profiles, impractical entry/exit mechanisms, basic interiors, and vibrant colors inspired by psychedelic experiences. Similar to SEMA cars, the Autobau Concept combines European refinement with the audacity of the 70s, resulting in a unique blend of sophistication and eccentricity.

Meet the Sbarro Autobau, a concept car we know almost nothing about but really enjoy looking at. Yes, it’s totally non-conventional (hey, it’s a Sbarro), and according to the Francais-only marketing material the Autobao is a tribute to Swiss racing stud Fredy Lienhard.

It’s also (supposedly) packin’ 12-cylinders, 500 horses and weighs about 3,200 pounds. What a concept.

Maverick designer Franco Sbarro usually entertains the crowds with a weird or wonderful concept at Geneva – only this year we can’t work out if his car is weird, wonderful or both.

It’s called the Autobau, and according to our hastily translated French press release it’s a conceptual homage to Swiss racing driver – and friend of Mr Sbarro – Fredy Lienhard. We thought it looked more like a modern interpretation of the rinky-dink pink panthermobile, only er, orange.

PH! Either way, it’s got a 12 cylinder 500bhp motor of unspecified origin mounted amidships, a six speed gearbox, and it weighs circa 1500kgs. Oh, and it makes us wish we were friends with Mr Sbarro, too.

Related Posts

Ex-Cartoonist Crafts Adorably Tiny Tattoos

Istanbul-based artist Ahmet Cambaz designs tiny tattoos that are as skillfully created as as they are delightfully adorable. As a former cartoonist, Cambaz finds inspiration in illustration, applying the artistic techniques he learned …

Charles Darmanjian’s 1947 Plymouth: The Stunning Flat Black Rat

When one loses their job after nearly twenty years, it could be devastating to some. To Charles Darmanjian, it was an opportunity. He used it to start his own custom automotive part business — ESC Fabrications, LLC — On Facebook: ESC Garage Charles has …

Clean-Slammed Widebody Chevy C10 Showcases the Power of Vibrant Color Matching

Along with classic F-100 Blue Ovals, Chevy’s C/K model line is certainly among the most popular truck series for restomod enthusiasts. And it seems the GM creation has adepts both in the real and virtual worlds. Anyone familiar with the sometimes crazy …

Hellephant Apache Hits the Virtual Road to SEMA with a Widebody Nissan GT-R

The 2022 SEMA Show was – by all accounts – a smashing success. And everyone felt happy and fulfilled, whether from the OEM or the aftermarket side of the fence. Actually, the good news travels fast, and just when we found out this year’s SEMA Show (November …

Check Out This 1969 Chevrolet Camaro—A First-Gen Icon That Would Have Made Waves Even If It Hadn’t Succeeded!

In our day and age, muscle cars as we know them are slowly dying. The electrification of the automotive industry will push big V8s into the history books, and no matter how you spin it you just can’t have a muscle car in the proper sense without such …

A Purebred, Purpose-Built Monster— It’s Right at Home Only on the Race Track

Roadster Shop is an outfit that really should need no introduction. Any build that rolls out of their doors is guaranteed to be nothing short of outstanding, and at the 2014 SEMA Show the team unveiled  Rampage , a car that to this day remains one of …

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *