GTO Engineering reveals V12 Squalo

Of course, being a ground-up build, restomod doesn’t just do a disservice to the work going into this thing, it’s actually inaccurate. Previously running under the ‘Moderna’ codename, the car’s final name is ‘Squalo’, which is Italian for Shark. Its sharp yet smooth predatory looks earn it that name, with that shrink-wrapped muscular bodywork, piercing eyes and gaping mouth. That all makes it sound rather less pretty than it is. Of course, appropriately, Squalo and indeed Shark are names long-standing in the canon of the Scuderia.

So these are the final renders. What’s changed? Well, details like the wing mirrors, door handles and wheels have been finalised. The former are very classical in appearance, while the flush door handles wouldn’t look out of place on a Tesla. The 18-inch wheels, which will be wrapped in special tyre by a “leading manufacturer”, mix the size of modern wheels with classic design influences.

All-important under-the-skin elements have evolved since last we were updated, too. Most importantly, the incredible quad-cam V12 engine. Perhaps not essential technically but an absolute aesthetic priority, are the inlet trumpets, which will now be visible when you open the bonnet. On the inside, the engine’s been lightened too with specially redesigned components. Put simply? Lighter engine bits generally leads to higher revs. Yes please. Updated mounting points are also new, in addition to the reassurance that GTO won’t keep this engine exclusive to the Squalo.

There are more updates to come, including the engine’s size and its power output, as the car now enters the clay modelling stage. For now, the car moves on in development and we get newer coloured real-world renderings. First customer deliveries are expected to begin in 2023, with GTO continuing to take enquiries.

“There’s been an outpour of admiration for what we’re doing here and we realise a little bit of scepticism whether we’re actually making this: a V12-powered, sub-tonne sports car with a Sixties feel but modern reliability, enjoyment and manufacturing quality,” said GTO Engineering Managing Director and Founder Mark Lyon.

“We’re here to hopefully set the record straight to say yes, it’s happening and we’re sticking to our original ethos for the car as well as timing promises for production. It’s often the small parts of a car that take the longest time. We’re now at a stage where the design models are being created here in the UK and soon we will announce our technical partners working with us on the exterior manufacturing and interiors, as well as wheels and tyres.”