Engineering company, RML Group, remakes a classic Ferrari with modern underpinnings.
We’re all aware of the sacrilegious process of taking a classic car, stripping its guts out and fitting it with a battery-powered, all-electric drivetrain. However, has RML offended purists with their recreation of a classic 1959 Ferrari 250 GT SWB? We hope not.
This faithful recreation of a classic road-race car has been undertaken by one of the industry’s most respected engineering teams. RML are a world-class engineering company specialising in consulting with large automotive manufacturers, as well as developing technologies, building prototypes and building high-performance road car derivatives.
One such derivative is this beautifully remade 250 GT SWB. Limited to just 30 models, each is produced to exact buyer specifications.
Powered by a front-mounted 485bhp Ferrari V12, this not-so-classic classic is now capable of blowing your socks off with a 0-60mph time of just 4.1 seconds. Power is delivered to the rear wheels through a Ferrari 6-speed manual transmission rather than an automatic, giving drivers a more authentic feel in this modernised classic.
The familiar lines of the 250 GT SWB now feature carbon fibre bodywork rather than aluminium which was used originally in its construction. The lightweight carbon allows for quicker acceleration, improved handling and a high top speed of 185mph.
“The Short Wheelbase was never conceived to compete, Top Trumps-style, with a typical supercar’s acceleration or top speed,” said RML’s Chief Executive, Michael Mallock.
“Our car takes a step back from that, and while it’s certainly rapid, our emphasis has always been on capturing a more organic driving experience, with less intervention and more useable performance, while still making it comfortable and convenient enough for people to enjoy regularly on modern roads.”
Featuring electrically adjustable seats, air conditioning, sat-nav, phone connectivity and cupholders, this reimagining of the 1959 Ferrari that it’s based on is certainly much comfier and more suitable for travelling great distances, as you would in a GT car.
Although it is not a 1:1 replica of the original, having slighter larger dimensions, this RML SWB (as they’re calling it) still retains the emotion of the original car. Carrying the elegant styling, luxury feel and invigorating performance forward into the modern-day, it’s the perfect way to experience what it would be like to drive this car back in 1959.
Let us know what you think of the RML SWB, in the comments!
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Absolutely stunning car ! …an automotive work of art …oh to drive one of those up the mountains of Italy with Matt Monroe’s song …. “On Days Like These” on a loop just to top it all off …ahh ! my perfect day .