If you see the word Sbarro and immediately think of a delicious food court pizza in the middle of the mall, then we should be friends because that’s where my brain goes too. But it’s also the last name of an enterprising Swiss automaker, Franco Sbarro, who made extremely small quantities of crazy vehicles, including this one, the 1983 Sbarro Super Five.
This particular car was said to have been built for a member of a Middle Eastern royal family before being displayed at the 1985 Geneva Motor Show, and Sbarro wanted it to be a luxury car, despite being a Renault 5 Alpine Turbo under its new fiberglass skin.
It is also one of the rarest cars in existence, and it is said that only one other example was built. Given Renault’s underpinnings and early ’80s technology, including a small CRT television for the rear-seat passengers, it’ll be a bit of a commitment to keep driving despite only having 12,000 kilometers or about 7,000 miles on the odometer. It can be yours though, if you’re brave enough, as it is currently up for auction on Bring A Trailer.
Unfortunately, it combines the turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder with a three-speed automatic transmission
If you’re hoping this car will retain the performance features of the iconic Renault 5 Alpine Turbo, you’ll be sad to learn that it has a three-speed automatic transmission. This is also not based on the mid-engine Renault 5 Turbo with rear-wheel drive, but on the much more conventional front-wheel drive predecessor of that model. That means it has a 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that sent 108 horsepower to the 15-inch three-bolt front wheels when new, but Sbarro swapped Renault’s five-speed manual for a three-speed automatic, so don’t expect this exotic to win many races.
After all, it is a luxury car with a truly beautiful interior in which virtually every surface is covered in sleek, new-looking white leather, even the included pair of child seats. The center console is made of trees and houses extremely comprehensive Clarion stereo controls, as well as a turbo gauge, oil pressure gauge and climate control.
The coolest design feature on the outside is the huge ’80s red, orange and yellow graphic that connects the two taillights and displays the text ‘SUPER FIVE’ in a punchy 3D font. The quad exhaust pipes look cool too, but only the two on the driver’s side are functional. The exterior isn’t particularly exciting, but you’ll still spend most of your time in the pristine, leather-lined interior, so it’s quiet.
If this piece of automotive history sounds like it would fit perfectly in your garage or collection, stop by Bring A Trailer, where it will be auctioned without reservation.
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