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Concept

This Shelby Daytona restomod simply must become a real thing

Key details include headlights from a Mini hatch, the roof from a Dodge Viper and body panels from the Jaguar E-Type

Published: 21 May 2024

No, your eyes do not deceive you: this is a modern interpretation of the Shelby Daytona Coupe, and it’s… let's say 'striking'. Inspired by the Alfa Romeo TZ3, it’s a collaborative project between designers Arthur and Siim.

The distinctive silhouette remains, so the cabin is pushed as far back as possible to make way for a 26-metre-long bonnet, which now resides in its own postcode. Fronting said bonnet are Mini-inspired headlights, a mesh grille with spherical lamps and a sharper splitter in place of the inverted bumper. Very nice.

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The exhausts still exit along the flanks, albeit with single tunnels replacing the dual pipes. You’ll also spot chunky NASCAR tyres and a modified version of the Daytona’s original alloys. The rear arches are also more profiled, but do very little to hide the fact that there’s about a millimetre of wheel well gap. Terrible news for anyone with spines.

Final details include a more sculpted ducktail spoiler, which now joins more naturally with the rear of the car, and large circular taillights in place of the two smaller ones.

Its creators have not dreamt up any wild mechanical changes for the Daytona, so we’re going to assume it retains the 4.7-litre Ford V8 and continues to produce around 400bhp... in the digital realm, of course. It may not sound like much, but the real thing managed to clock in excess of 190mph back when it was competing with the Ferrari 250 GTO at Le Mans.

Reckon we need more of these niche restomods brought to life, as opposed to the million-strong armada of electrified 911s?

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