Classified of the week: Farbio GTS400

We’ll forgive you for not having heard of the Farbio GTS 400, because according to the specialist dealer selling it, it’s the only one ever built. Technically that’s not really true, as small volumes of ‘standard’ GTSs were built at the end of the noughties. It may well be the only GTS 400 though, but it’s tough to verify such claims. 

The car’s story is a strange and lonely one. Back in 2004, Chris Marsh bought out Arash Farboud’s eponymous company, which had sold three singular GTSs before Marsh relocated the company to Wiltshire and called it Farbio. The Farbio GTS was essentially the same car, just more polished, and there was also the 410bhp supercharged GTS 400 you see above. Then, in 2010, after just a handful of GTSs had found owners, Farbio was bought by Ginetta, who only slightly tweaked it before putting it on sale as the F400, and later, the G60. Barely anyone in the UK bought those either.

With a top speed of 180mph and 0-60mph taking just 3.7 seconds, it was a genuinely fast car; a contender to the Audi R8 or Porsche 911. According to CAR, it never felt twitchy or skittish, and the whole car felt incredibly well sorted and secure. It rode on carbon fibre 20in wheels, but the ride was said to be compliant and civilised. Even so, at £94,000 it was a lot of money, especially with no real history or badge cachet.

This car has reportedly done just 3,000 miles since it was registered in 2008, and has had one owner. Yours, for £78,000. Click here to view the listing.

Words: Ben Custard

Photos: Mole Valley Specialist Cars