They Built This Stunning V8 Coupe In Five Months Without A Factory Or A Budget

  • Heritage ESX is a modern homage to the Shelby Daytona Coupe with a Ford-sourced V8.
  • The prototype was created by students of the Espera Sbarro UTBM training program.
  • Features include custom bodywork, a hand-built interior, and a multi-tubular chassis design.

What if one of motorsport’s most iconic silhouettes made an unexpected comeback not as a rendering or tribute, but as a functioning, full-scale machine? That’s exactly what happened when students at the Espera Sbarro school took a wild idea and turned it into rolling, roaring reality.

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Rather than simply imagining a modern take on the 1965 Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe, they built one. The result is the Heritage ESX, a fully operational prototype that pays homage to the original’s racing spirit while stepping firmly into the present.

A Familiar Shape, Sharpened for Today

It’s not a replica, kit car, or restomod. It’s an “educational prototype,” dreamt up, designed, and assembled from the ground up by a team of 25 students over just five months. The Heritage ESX wears the unmistakable proportions of the Daytona Coupe, but the design feels like a natural evolution, merging retro cues with modern touches.

Up front, LED headlights mounted on the fenders bring a hint of Ford GT attitude. Take a closer look and you’ll notice these units were cleverly sourced from the updated Ford Puma, a subcompact European SUV. Those sit above circular LEDs nestled between the bumper intakes, while a vented hood adds another functional flourish.

Move to the side and the classic long dash-to-axle ratio immediately catches the eye. The rear haunches are as curvaceous as they should be, while side gills and side-mounted exhausts keep the spirit of the original intact. The white-finished 19-inch alloy wheels, wrapped in generously sized tires, round off the aggressive stance.

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Espera Sbarro

The rear end is a more angular reinterpretation of the iconic sports coupe, with a huge integrated ducktail spoiler, quad taillights, and extra vents on the sides. As a final touch, the team painted the vehicle blue with white racing graphics featuring the number 60.

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The two-seat cabin channels the original’s layout but adds a modern twist, featuring carbon fiber accents and a centrally mounted display. On the passenger side, a pair of analog stopwatches adds a vintage motorsport vibe, while a three-spoke steering wheel and a high-mounted gear knob on the center console complete the driver-focused setup.

Built to Move, Not Just to Admire

The custom bodywork of the Heritage ESX is based on a multi-tubular chassis. Under the hood lies a Ford-sourced 5.0-liter V8 powering the rear wheels via a six-speed manual. While power and torque numbers weren’t released, the car weighs in at 1,150 kg (2,535 pounds), which should make for a quite lively performance.

As with most “educational prototypes”, the vehicle will most likely remain a one-off, although commenters on social media said it would be nice to see it in a limited production run. Following the end of this year’s Espera Sbarro UTBM Stylist Prototypist training course, the prototype will be exhibited at the Le Mans Classic on July 3-6, 2025.

Until then, take a closer look at the photos and short clips below.


The Auto World

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