McLaren P1 designer sketched redesigned Ferrari F40

Hey now, check this out! You may have just finished reading Jalopnikgreat interview with a legendary designer Frank stephenson. Well, Frank has gone from working on McLarens to creating internet videos, and in his latest he tries to redesign the iconic Ferrari F40.

While I’m still charmed by the rather childish results of these types of automotive sketches – I have no doubt that the man is a creative tactile genius, I just think the mix of different marker and wax mediums reminds me a lot of l elementary school – this design is a bold move, even for the guy who wrote the McLaren P1. Also, unlike me, Frank is really talented.

In Stephenson’s latest video he visits Harry Metclafe of Harry’s Garage Fame on YouTube, where he goes around the F40 in the flesh before taking his redesign. Part of its inspiration for the F40 can be found in its plentiful amounts of NACA ducts, the telltale iconic engine cover, and what designer could resist the urge to take a hit on that massive rear wing.

The result is very cool, but very different. I like the kind of ‘barbed’ openings added to the front bumper, as well as its total spike redesign. Frank notes that he pulled the edges of the F40 bumper, which are very square and protrude at the corners, towards the wheels and rounded. This way, he could avoid adding to the overall length of the car by adding a tip. It also added an angle to the rear edge of the front fender, which now has visual movement and momentum in the car’s profile view compared to the original square design.

On top of that, the car now has gullwing doors, larger wheels, more glass, an even more chaotic rear spoiler and the exterior mirrors are mounted at eye level on the A-pillars of the supercar for better visibility. Keep in mind that Frank designed the Ferrari FXX, which means he’s already essentially redesigned the Enzo. I would be shocked if this was the first time he didn’t care about the original icon, but I like what he came up with here.