What you’re looking at here is what happens when one of Ferrari’s “most dedicated customers” has earned enough good will with the Italian automaker to request the Ferrari Design Centre Special Projects dream up something unique for their collection – a truly special automotive design revealed this past weekend in Italy at the 2018 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este.
If the Ferrari SP38’s wing spoiler and scaled engine cover awakens inklings of recognition, it might be because the strong angular wedge design is openly in reference of the iconic detailing of the 1980s Ferrari F40 supercar. The one-of-kind car was built upon the modern day chassis and running-gear of the Ferrari 488 GTB as a nod to the last car commissioned by Enzo Ferrari himself, but the result is a muscular modern design that stands on its own as neither a F40 nor a 488 GTB.
Sadly, the single planned public appearance of this sensual expression of Prancing Stallion designs is limited to the shores of Lake Como, Italy before the car disappears into the collection of the unnamed Ferrari top-tier enthusiast. Hopefully elements of the Ferrari SP38 find its way into future designs intended for production numbers beyond a special edition for a single customer, as Ferrari lovers everywhere deserve to see more of this level of effort from the Italian automaker.
