What results when you give a bunch of motivated students just tools, passion, and five months? The Espera Sbarro Heritage ESX, a custom V8 coupe modeled after the famous Shelby Daytona. This isn't some vehicle created in a lab full of high-tech equipment or with the resources and technology of a massive automotive company—this is a one-off project from 25 students with big ideas.
And the best part? It runs, it roars, and it looks fast enough to run down the Le Mans track!
Built from the Ground Up, With Only Heart and Hustle
Most car companies would take years, millions of dollars, and fully operational plants to create something this complicated. These students didn't have any of those resources—and were still able to deliver. Operating under the Espera Sbarro UTBM program in France, the team did it all: designed, engineered, and built every element of the ESX by hand.
So, what about this story is inspirational?
- No factory, no funding—just tools, training, and trust in one another.
- A deadline of five months from the first scribble to finished car.
- Twenty-five students, most of whom built a real car for the first time.
- Fully functional—it's not just a concept; it drives like an actual sports car!
It's not often you see this level of raw determination produce results this refined!
A Salute to the Past, Made for the Present
The ESX uses the 1965 Shelby Daytona Coupe as its major design influence, a car known for dominating international otherwise known as world racing. However, this is more than just nostalgic; it is a modern homage to the classic, complete with modern elements.
Design points to appreciate:
- A long low hood and sloped rear just like the Daytona.
- Modern lighting, including the LED Headlamps lifted off of the Ford Puma.
- Vents and scoops that are, and I cannot stress this enough, functional, plus a custom designed diffuser.
- And last, but certainly not least, side-exit exhausts that make all the right race car noises.
This design feels very much like putting a 1960s race car in the year 2025, all while keeping it cool with enough modern elements.
It's All Muscle Under the Hood
So, let's talk power. Namely, there's a Ford 5.0-liter V8—one of the engines you would find in a Mustang GT. This coupe is matched to a 6-speed manual box and has more than just looks—it's got just as much bite as it does bark.
- 1,150 kg (2,535 lbs) curb weight makes it really fast.
- Constructed on a multi-tubular steel chassis for stiffness and light weight.
- The rear-wheel-drive layout gives you that sports car feeling.
It’s raw and responsive, and probably incredibly fun to drive— especially since it's essentially built out of a classroom shop.
Interior: A Tribute to the Simplicity and Craft of Hand-Made
The ESX is hand-made charm on the inside. Forget flashy touch-screens and affordable feel of mass-produced interiors–this one feels personal.
Here's what catches your eye:
- Custom seats, specifically designed and stitched by the students.
- A simple dashboard with analog stop watches, not app buttons.
- A combination of carbon-fiber trim around raw metal.
- Steering wheel with only three spokes, as if it was made in the 60s.
It's not luxurious, it's authentic and it works.
Meet it live at Le Mans Classic 2025
If you're off to Le Mans Classic this July you should look out for the ESX. It makes its official public debut there and will be on display alongside a collection of race and road-going greats, both historical and contemporary.
Why does this matter?
- It reinforces that there is still value in learning from the real world situation.
- The students will see what they have created presented in front of motorsport fans.
- It demonstrates that it doesn't take millions to do it, you just have to have an idea and some tenacity.
Heritage ESX Coupe – Specs at a Glance
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Conclusion
In an era where the majority of vehicles are designed by the largest corporations and manufactured in automated factories, the Heritage ESX stands out as a raw, handcrafted item. It is more than just a car - it is the human story of tenacity, innovation, and passion that cannot be learned from textbooks.
The 25 students who built the ESX didn't put together a pre-manufactured kit. They constructed a dream. They showed that when skill meets vision (and you have a 5.0-liter V8 earmarked for the project), you can create something memorable and bold.
The ESX has not only made an impression at Le Mans, but it has reminded the world that the next generation of builders are not waiting for permission to showcase their abilities. They are coming - and they are hand-made builders of the future.
Source(Image / Thumbnail): carscoops
