Ferrari ‘Breadvan’ returns – Niels van Roij reveals 550-based homage
UK-based Niels van Roij Design has unveiled its take on the iconic 1962 racer, based on the Ferrari 550 Maranello
London-based Niels van Roij Design has finally lifted the veil on its ‘Breadvan Hommage’, a modern-day take on the one-off Ferrari 250 GT SWB Breadvan of 1962. As with all Niels van Roji Design commissions, only a single example will be produced for a typically undisclosed sum.
Under the Breadvan’s hand beaten aluminium skin is the Ferrari 550 Maranello, sharing its basic front-engined rear-drive chassis, transaxle six-speed manual transmission and 478bhp 5.5-litre V12. Few mechanical changes have been made to the chassis though, save for a slightly higher placement of the standard gated shifter in the cabin, and adjustable Koni shock absorbers, fitted in homage with those built by Koni in the ‘60s racer.
> Ferrari 550 Maranello: history, specs and used review
In typical style for this type of coachbuilder, it’s the exterior design which has seen a complete overhaul, with only the windscreen shared with the 550 Maranello. As its name suggests, the flat roofline continues on a flat plane to a sharply cut-off Kamm tail, which was both an aerodynamic technique that helps separate air without creating turbulence and a trademark design element feature of the original. There are other echoes of the original too, including vents on the front wings just forward of the cabin, stacked, circular tail lights at the rear and those distinctive haunches.
Though its origins in the 550 are still clear, the front end has been given its own changes inspired by the original Breadvan. The bonnet has gained a pair of aggressive intakes, while below amongst a reshaped grille sit a new pair of fog lights. Perhaps the most distinctive element is the translucent bubble which sits within the bespoke bonnet, another reference to the racer.
The cabin has also received the coachbuild treatment too, with the standard carbonfibre bucket seats reupholstered in a striking blue Alcantara, embroidered with a silhouette of the modern recreation. The interior switchgear has also been reproduced in milled aluminium, with quilted black leather and exposed, bespoke hand-beaten aluminium door cards finishing off the hand-crafted interior.
The project took over two years to complete, and joins a growing list of bespoke commissions from Niels van Roji Design that include its own interpretation of a two-door Range Rover, and the Tesla Model S estate.
