A Masterpiece Reborn: The Bespoke Custom SP40 Restomod Speedster

The world of automotive design is often caught in a tug-of-war between the past and the future. Purists cling to the analogue soul of vintage metal, while modernists chase the sterile perfection of wind-tunnel efficiency. But occasionally, a machine emerges that doesn’t just bridge this gap—it obliterates it.

Enter the Bespoke Custom SP40 Restomod Speedster, a vehicle that takes the legendary DNA of Edsel Ford’s 1934 Model 40 Special Speedster and injects it with enough modern engineering to make a supercar blush.

The story behind this vehicle is as compelling as the lines on its carbon fiber body. The original 1934 Speedster was a mythical creature in automotive lore—Edsel Ford’s personal vision of a European-style sports car that disappeared for decades, only to resurface in a barn find story that rivals any Hollywood script.

Rediscovered in 1999 and sold for a staggering $1.76 million in 2008, the original is now a museum piece, too rare and valuable to be driven in anger. Iconic Auto Sports saw this not as a tragedy, but as a challenge. Since the original was unobtainable, they decided to carve a new legend from scratch. This is not a kit car. It is a ground-up reimagining that honors the spirit of the original while embracing the distinct advantages of 21st-century technology. The SP40 is built around a fully triangulated steel tubing spaceframe, designed for the kind of torsional stiffness that racing drivers dream about.

And make no mistake, racing is in this car’s blood. The development process began at the track, where a naked chassis was punished, tweaked, and refined long before the bodywork was even finalized. Professional Sport Prototype drivers worked alongside the engineering team, dialing in spring rates, shock settings, and camber angles until the chassis felt alive.

The result is a driving experience that rewards the bold. Under the hood sits a 5.0-liter Ford Coyote V8, a naturally aspirated beast churning out over 480 horsepower. This aluminum-block marvel features four camshafts and variable valve timing, singing through a stainless steel exhaust system that likely sounds like the apocalypse in a tuxedo. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a proper five-speed manual gearbox and a limited-slip differential. In a world of paddle shifters and electronic nannies, the SP40 demands expert throttle modulation. It is a car that invites you to dance with oversteer on corner exits, offering a visceral connection that modern hypercars often filter out.

Visually, the SP40 is stunning. The carbon fiber bodywork echoes the sophisticated taste of Edsel Ford, proving his belief that an automobile could be both a machine and a work of art. The wheelbase mirrors the original’s generous three-meter length, which not only looks elegant but contributes to excellent high-speed stability. The wide track minimizes lateral load transfer, allowing the car to corner with a composure that belies its vintage aesthetic. When it’s time to scrub off speed, a massive Brembo braking system with six-piston front calipers ensures you can stop as effectively as you go.

With a new North American office in Miami, Florida, the SP40 Restomod Speedster is now available for commission. Each example is tailored in the spirit of a traditional atelier, where the car becomes an expression of the owner’s character. It is a rare opportunity to own a piece of history that has been re-engineered for the future—a tribute to a lost treasure that you can actually drive, and drive hard.

see more at sp40 restomod