Monday 7th January 2019

Ferrari 250 Breadvan 'hommage' in build

What better to do with a 550 Maranello than make a Shooting Brake from it?

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Remember the name Neils van Roij? He was the designer behind the Tesla Shooting Brake created last year, and now he's had another crack at a two-door estate. Although this time it's rather more exotic...

As can probably be gleaned from the pictures, it's a car that pays homage to the iconic Ferrari 250GT Breadvan from 1962, raced at Le Mans in period and frequently seen at historic events today. Interestingly it's being built from a 550 Maranello of the 90s, the idea being that there's a spiritual link between it and the regular 250s of 50 years ago. And while values have of course climbed noticeably in recent years, it's still cheaper to get hold of (and hack apart) a 550 than some of the later V12s.

Until now various renderings have previewed different looks for the 21st century Breadvan, some arguably more successful than others. But with 2019 upon us, a design has seemingly been decided on - see the Facebook page for a few more details - the build has reportedly commenced. Unsurprisingly every single panel of the car is going to be replaced, even at the front end where the car looks most similar to the donor vehicle, but with aim to retain the "essence" of the 550M.

It's a fascinating project, one that evokes the spirit of coachbuilding's glory days, and a car we'll be following closely. There are weekly updates coming on van Roij's Instagram page, with the Breadvan said to be completed in the summer. It's one way to make an entrance on the concours lawn, that's for sure...

[Hairymonster]

Hideous

[LotusOmega375D]

So was the original!

By the way is this guy actually a qualified designer, or just a bored schoolboy doodling on the back of his exercise book?

[lyndhurst25]

Ordered wrong size wheels so no room to fit tyres?

[baconsarney]

[cookie1600]

Except it's not a shooting brake (or break) or estate. It's a van - clue is in the often attributed title of the original vehicle.

[Augustus Windsock]

No.
Just no.

[Greg the Fish]

Why ruin a 550?

[Cylon2007]

WTAF!! that is vile

[BVB]

Leave the poor 550 alone! It's a Ferrari!

[Nerdherder]

It’s vile indeed but to my mind the 550 is one of the worst looking modern Fezzers. Hacking the looks of one is therefore no crime.

[unsprung]

fifth-generation Camaro estate says, "been there, done that"

[Hairymonster]

Looks like something you'd get in a Hotwheels set.

[Plug Life]

The original one had the stupidest rear ever, why make a 'homage' to it?

[Jex]

Plug Life said:

The original one had the stupidest rear ever, why make a 'homage' to it?

I agree - I think it is the ugliest Ferrari ever, but perhaps the historical perspective makes it worth considering. Of course all it needs is someone to want to buy it.

[Turbotechnic]

I'm going to stick my head above the parapet...






The side and back profile looks awesome! Lose the fog lights on the front so it didn't look so goofy looking. I'd have one!

[anonymous-user]

Why not drop the Ferrari engine into the back of this and call it job done?

[anonymous-user]

Nerdherder said:

It’s vile indeed but to my mind the 550 is one of the worst looking modern Fezzers. Hacking the looks of one is therefore no crime.

Really? (The 550) is not pretty, but it has aged well IMO and is quite handsome. Even with the air scoop. Compare that to everything recent - FF, GTC, 599, F12 and its quite a good looking car.

[samoht]

I'll wait to see the actual finished product before deciding what I think of the styling.

In general though, I think the breadvan shape is a very attractive idea. You get less rear lift and lower drag, plus a bit of extra practicality to throw a bike in the back, at negligible cost in weight compared to a glass fastback. Just a pity that it's not done more often, IMHO.

[texaxile]

Vomitus.

[Robert-nszl1]

Are we sure this isn't the work of Leepu and Bernie off Chop Shop?!